Cedar Hill State Park
Springtime is definitely where this park shines with bright colors from Texas native wildflowers lining the roads and trails. During the summer months you’ll find a community of families out to enjoy the water, sunshine, and scenic picnic spots. The cooler temperatures of fall invite you to sit around a campfire and enjoy the company of loved ones. If you’re looking for a place to escape the city life — without driving too far or being too secluded — this is the park for you. Camp for a long weekend or just spend a day relaxing, either way Cedar Hill State Park is here to welcome you with open arms.
Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! Mine was very relaxing and overall uneventful, which was perfect for me. Maybe too relaxing though because it definitely took a little longer than I planned to get back into a routine, but I’m here now and ready to get back at it!
I don’t really do New Years Resolutions, but I do like to set goals for the year. One of those for 2022 is to be a more active participant in the outdoor community, which means making the time to join in on local events and hopefully start hosting my own. So what better way to spend New Years day than doing just that? I decided to join a first day hike at Cedar Hill State Park hosted by Explore More DFW. They’re an established company that leads hikes and outdoor yoga classes all over the metroplex, and I have been wanting to join in for months. I had already been in contact with them about getting together, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
After spending the whole morning in bed with a slight hangover coming up with reasons not to go, I pulled myself together and told myself that it was now or never. Even though it’s something I had been wanting and looking forward to, I just knew that if I put it off now I would continue to put things off all year. Master procrastinator over here — but we’re getting better. So anyway, I got my a$$ up and went for it, and I can’t tell you how good it felt. After weeks off just being back out there and moving was amazing, but the real beauty was the group experience. As always, everyone was so friendly and I met so many other people who got out of their comfort zones to show up that day too. I enjoyed getting to know everyone so much that I even stuck around for the longer hike, which I wasn’t planning on considering the previously mentioned hangover. Alas, a 4+ mile hike in good company turned out to be the cure I needed.
We met at the Talala trail head and started with a mini yoga session to wake up our bodies and align us with nature, then off we went. The Talala is a little over two miles of trail with overlooks of the lake and views of the surrounding hills. Those of us who stuck around for the extended hike then connected to the Plum Valley and Duck Pond Trails, which took us into the forested area of the park and around a small fishing pond.
Admittedly, this park isn’t one of my favorite for hiking trails, I prefer Cedar Ridge Preserve located just across Beltline Rd. However, that doesn’t mean there is any shortage of offerings here.
There is a 12 mile (with options for shorter) DORBA trail that attracts mountain bikers from all over the city, and that is hike friendly as well. Just be sure that you follow the signs to go in the opposite direction of the bikers anytime you are hiking a bike trail, safety first!
There is also a large fishing dock and several ponds available for getting a good catch. You’ll find anglers out here trying their luck on any given day. You can also launch your boat here to cast a line farther out in the lake, or just relax and feel the sunshine. Personally I like to bring out my kayak and take it easy. When the lake is low there is plenty of shoreline available to stop and take in a sunset, this happens to be my favorite local spot to catch the daily phenomenon. A swimming area, several picnic areas, and a historical family farm are all also available to keep you and your family/friends occupied for hours.
Springtime is definitely where this park shines with bright colors from Texas native wildflowers lining the roads and trails. During the summer months you’ll find a community of families out to enjoy the water, sunshine, and scenic picnic spots. The cooler temperatures of fall invite you to sit around a campfire and enjoy the company of loved ones. If you’re looking for a place to escape the city life — without driving too far or being too secluded — this is the park for you. Camp for a long weekend or just spend a day relaxing, either way Cedar Hill State Park is here to welcome you with open arms.
The more you know:
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, “The Cedar Hill area is unique because two ecosystems converge here. The rolling tallgrass prairie and its black clay soil clash with the rugged limestone escarpment. The park is reminiscent of the Texas Hill Country, and you may forget you are in the Metroplex.”
How to get there:
Trails:
Trails here are pretty well marked, I’ve taken the wrong one a couple of times but nothing bad enough to get you really lost.
Trails are a little rocky but mostly level. with not a lot of elevation these are great beginner or kid friendly options.
Stephen F. Austin State Park
Several species of birds and the scurrying of wildlife like rabbits, armadillos, and deer provide a tranquil soundtrack that will have you lingering on the trails much longer than you’d think. As I came upon each crossroad for connecting trails, I found myself choosing the longer route back to the car every time. Worth it.
This week I journeyed down south near Houston, where I caught the last day of the Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF), and then hit up a new-to-me state park, Stephen F. Austin.
Lets start by saying how freaking cool TRF was! A few of my good friends from Houston have invited me a few times but this was the first year I was able to make it, and I’m so glad I finally did. Talk about a unique way to get outside in Texas. This festival has been going on since the 1970’s and last for 9 weekends every fall. It’s the largest in the country! Proving that everything is, in fact, bigger in Texas.
With 55 acres of fairgrounds and another 200 acres of campgrounds, you can easily enjoy an escape from the city - and reality - in the best way. We had such a great time meeting people from all over and just enjoying the simpler side of life with them for a couple of days.
This is a place where anyone can come and be exactly who you are with no judgment. It was such a refreshing experience and I look forward to making it a part of my annual traditions.
Now on to the state park. I honestly wasn’t expecting too much from this park, all of the information I found said it was pretty for a quick getaway from Houston, with really easy trails and not much else going on. What a lesson in expecting the unexpected, because this park absolutely took my breath away.
I had originally planned on camping here for a night, but after a rainy night at TRF I really didn’t feel up to re-pitching a wet tent and sleeping in damp clothes again. Since the park didn’t seem too exciting anyway, I decided to stay the night with my friends in Houston where I got a warm shower and dry clothes. I left from there the next morning to spend a couple of hours at the park before heading home.
The drive west on I-10 was underwhelming due to still being in the city for most of the hour long drive. Once you take the exit though, you’ll find yourself in the rural Texas countryside that you imagine.
The park is pretty small, and I drove the main loop to get my bearings in a matter of minutes. Since I didn’t want to get home too late, I planned on just a short hike. I parked the car and set off for the Barred Owl Trail, which connects to a few other trails and has a lookout over the Brazos River. The river view was nice, but let me tell you… the foliage is the real star of this park.
With 473 acres of Cottonwood, Sycamore, Green Ash, and more towering overhead- and a dense undergrowth of plants like Dwarf Palmetto, Yaupon, and Grapevine woven together to blanket the ground, you’re truly surrounded by greenery everywhere you look.
Several species of birds and the scurrying of wildlife like rabbits, armadillos, and deer provide a tranquil soundtrack that will have you lingering on the trails much longer than you’d think. As I came upon each crossroad for connecting trails, I found myself choosing the longer route back to the car every time. Worth it.
Wandering deeper into the forest, I couldn't help but ponder on the diversity of the plant and wildlife here- and just how well it represents the diversity of Texas itself. Not just its landscape, but its people (TRF for example). The more I travel around Texas the more I realize that so many people call this state home, and they each have such a unique story and culture. As much as I do this for the nature and solitide, the people I meet along the way are often my favorite part. They can be even more unexpected than this park was for me, always keeping me guessing and teaching me to let go of expectations and ego. In my humble opinion, life’s best lessons really are found through travel and experience.
Is Stephen F. Austin State Park on your bucket list now, or have you already been?
Let me know in the comments!
How to get there:
Just under an hour west of Houston off of I-10, this park is easy to get to. Plug it in your GPS and you’ll have no issues!
Trails:
Trails were well marked, and unpaved but mostly smooth and even. Don’t let the ease of the trails fool you into thinking it will be a boring hike though, you’ll want to explore every inch!
I started with Barred Owl, then split off for the Sycamore Trail, took that to the Ironwood, until that ended at the Pileated Trail, and followed that to the informative Nature Trail. That’s where I finally decided it was time to take the road back to the car and, unfortunately, head home.
Frasier Dam Recreation Area
Illegal dump site turned greenspace, in the heart of Dallas.
A brand new park for a brand new blog, timing really is everything, huh?
As soon as I saw this article from The Dallas Morning News, I knew I needed to be one of the first on the trails of this new ‘secret hidden gem’. It’s definitely well hidden, but also well worth the 3 laps around town it took me to find it — Don’t worry, I’ll give details below so that you’ll have an easier time.
With a ribbon cutting on October 4th, “The Frasier” became officially open to the public. Just 8 miles north of downtown Dallas, it’s a spot that until recently you would have wanted to avoid. The Elm Fork of the Trinity River was used by Dallas residents as an illegal dumpsite for years, polluting the water and its green space. Luckily the folks over at Groundwork Dallas see the potential of the Trinity River and its surrounding land. After removing a million pounds of debris and trash, this area is now an urban forest that can transport you from the city surrounding it.
Located off the service road to southbound I-35 E from Harry Hines - the Frasier is a perfect, albeit unexpected, spot to take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours soaking in nature.
I mapped around 3 miles of trails that can be broken up into smaller hikes if that’s all that time allows for, or looped together for a thorough exploration of the park. Bikes are welcome, fishing is encouraged, picnic areas line the trails, and you can bring your own water vessel for paddling on the river. With such a range of activities available, this is truly a park made for everyone’s enjoyment.
The South trail offered a more rugged terrain, and really put you into the depth of the forrest area. With the sounds of birdsong and the breeze rustling the leaves, you can easily forget that you are in fact still in the middle of Dallas.
Along the North Trail, there are several sitting areas facing the water that are perfect for picnicking with the family, or simply meditating with the sounds of nature. As someone who can hike for miles and usually likes to keep moving, I couldn’t help but stop at each area to take it all in.
The Frasier welcomed me with open arms, and gently nudged me into slowing down, taking a breath, and coming back to the present moment. As much as I hike to clear my head, I can just as easily get stuck in there. Letting the surrounding beauty pass me by. This park gave me the encouragement I needed to let go of those thoughts and simply be.
I saw a few people fishing near the entrance, and met other hikers and paddlers in the parking lot. However the trails remained quiet, giving a rare bit of solitude in a bustling city.
While I didn’t bring my kayak with me this trip, I fully intend to in the future so that I can experience everything this park has to offer. I’m so grateful to the people who worked so hard to give us this park, and can think of no better way to show my gratitude than by using it to the fullest and encouraging others to do the same.
Have you heard of Frasier Dam before?
If you’ve been, I would love to know your thoughts in the comments!
How to get there:
Now this place was a little tricky to find, so I’m just gonna walk you through it. The only way to access the park is from the entrance ramp onto Southbound I-35 E, coming South on Harry Hines Blvd from Northwest Highway. The entrance ramp isn’t very well marked either— You’ll pass a RaceTrac on your left and come up on the traffic light for Webb Chapel Ext, the next light is unmarked and that’s where you will turn right. It will take you under I-35 and immediately after the bridge you will see the welcome sign, the parking lot is to the right where the service road curves left. I know, seems confusing, but I promise it’s worth it!
The Welcome sign that you’ll see where you turn right into the parking lot.
The Trails:
-Trails were very well marked, and varied in length, with ways to make your hike however long or short you need.
-Terrain was fairly smooth, but can get very muddy after a rain, so wear appropriate shoes and pay close attention to where you step!
While Groundwork Dallas and its volunteers have done an incredible job getting this area cleaned up, there’s always more work to be done.
Please consider taking a trash bag and some gloves to pick up what you find along the way. And as always— if you pack it in, be prepared to pack it out.
If we all do our part, we can keep these areas beautiful for ourselves and future generations to enjoy.