If you find yourself in the Plano/Carrollton area and need a break from the concrete jungle, Arbor…read moreHills Nature Preserve is an absolute must. My husband and I came here for a weekend trek, and it's easily one of the best outdoor spots in North Texas. What I love most is the versatility. Whether you're looking for a smooth, paved stroll or want to get your boots a little dusty on the dirt hiking trails, they've got you covered. It's a great mix of elevation and flat stretches. It's a great spot for everyone. Pets are welcome (on leashes!), and there is a fantastic playground near the parking lot--perfect for kiddos who still have energy to burn after a hike. You'll see a beautiful variety of plants and likely some local wildlife. Just a heads-up: they do have warning signs posted for snakes and poison ivy, so definitely keep an eye on your surroundings while you explore. The parking lot is huge, but this place is popular! We arrived around 1:00 PM and it was nearly at capacity. We were lucky to snag a stall, but I'd definitely recommend arriving earlier in the morning if you want to avoid the parking hunt.

Arbor Hills is a place near and dear to my heart. This is one of the best places to get away from…read morethe crowded areas and just enjoy nature. The entrance area is always crowded so people don't get to see how amazing this place is. It's incredible because once you go off trail, you can see for miles to around and the sunset views are phenomenal. There are plenty of shortcuts around this area if you just want to do a quick loop to the observation tower and back to the main entrance. I took my old dog out here years ago and went off trail to isolated areas. I hope other dog owners get to see how happy she is and how much joy dogs get from being in this place. It's fairly common to see people taking family photos here but again, I truly recommend walking in off trail areas for 10 minutes to get spectacular photos.

We loooved this walk around the lake, it's all paved so it's easy to walk with toddlers and…read morestrollers. It isn't super busy on a weekend morning, with some walkers and runners, but never any amount that you're walking around or near people. There's a lot of brush and bugs and little animals that are near the trail so I would watch for the little babies walking around to not get too far off trail, but it adds to the nature vibes otherwise. It's also mostly flat so it's an easy and nice walk generally for anyone.

About 5 miles trail that loops around North Lake. Located along restaurants and an outdoor…read moreamphitheater. There are activities along the way such as putt-putt or art installations.

With several parks along the way and mile markers every quarter mile, this wide, paved, two-way…read moretrail runs from near Historic Downtown Carrollton to beyond Josey Branch Library. Another great option for walking, jogging, or cycling, the trail is well marked for two-way traffic with a blue line down the center of the trail. On our first visit, it was surprisingly busy but I appreciated the scenery changes throughout a 3 mile out-and-back walk from the trailhead parking areas to the Josey Branch Library and back with ball parks, picnic tables, grills, a splash park, restrooms, fishing pier with a small pond, pocket prairie, library, fountain, POW memorial...so many sights to take in while getting some good exercise!

What a beautiful place! We reached just in time for sunset and it's a fabulous sight…read more There is a $10 entry fee. Quite a few parking spots. There are park benches for a picnic with friends and family or to just sit and enjoy the view of grapevine lake. A must visit park to reset. It's a dog friendly place. There are kayaks to rent on site too.

Whenever I want to go to a lake. I always chose Rockledge Park because it's close to home and I…read morelove the scenery.

Campion Trails is a walking/biking trail that runs parallel to the Trinity River in Irving. It…read morestretches from Las Colinas all the way to Valley Ranch. For this review, I'm going to highlight all the areas where you can park and enter the trail. My Overall Rating - 5 Stars (Atmosphere, Trail, Return) Atmosphere - The trail is a wonderful, well shaded path which is populated with a good mix of cyclists, runners, roller bladers, and even families. It's one of my favorite places in the city, because it takes you away from the concrete jungle and into a lush, green, natural hideaway. 2 Stars. Trail - Here are the trail entrances where you can park your car and enter into Campion Trails starting from North to South. Sam Houston Trail Park - 101 I-635, Irving, TX 75038. This entrance is at 161 and Valley View. It's a good location if you want to start north and go down. Also, it has the only outhouse (that I know of). I've never used it but just know it's there. TW Richardson Grove - 101 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Irving, TX 75063. Right off the exit for George Bush Hwy off I635, this area has a covered patio that's perfect for gatherings for picnics and cookouts. La Vallita Park - 1 Camino Rio, Irving, TX 75039. This park is in the La Villita neighborhood. It was two playgrounds for kids, lots of shade from trees, and a covered patio. Rio Vista Park - 2 Barcelona, Irving, TX 75039. Also located in La Villita. This park has a basketball court, playground, and a covered patio with grills. There are no parking lots, but you can park along Barcelona, Campion Trails Park - 5950 Riverside Dr, Irving, TX 75039. This parking lot is next to the Irving Police Station. Needless to say, it's safe to park your car here. Birds Fort Trail Park - 5756 Riverside Dr, Irving, TX 75039. This is the BEST entrance to Campion Trails. Not only is there plenty of parking, but there are several covered patios, and it overlooks the Trinity River. Paws Colinas Dog Park - 1300 California Crossing Rd, Irving, TX 75039. This is a great dog park. It's really not a place to park and enter Campion Trail, just know it connects. California Crossing Park - 5198 Riverside Dr, Irving, TX 75039. This is the end (or beginning) of Campion Trails. Start here if you want to start biking north towards Valley Ranch/Coppell. Let's go! 2 Stars. Will I Return? - Yes. I live in La Villita so my entry way is through the two parks. I hope that after reading this review, you'll be inspired to check out one of my favorite trails in all of DFW. 1 Star.

Campion Trail is a nice place to walk, jog, or enjoy some fresh air. The trail is generally…read morewell-maintained and has some beautiful views along the way. However, certain areas felt a bit crowded, and I noticed a few sections that could use better upkeep. Overall, it was a decent experience, but there's definitely room for improvement.

I hosted an audiobook walk here during the holiday season, and it couldn't have been a more magical…read moresetting. The beautifully lit trees transformed the park into a winter wonderland and created the perfect backdrop for an evening spent listening to a good book. The walking path is easy and peaceful, making it enjoyable for everyone, including those who brought their fur babies. There's something so relaxing about wandering through the lights with an audiobook in your ears, it truly feels like stepping into the pages of a story. Vitruvian Park is beautiful any time of year, but during the holidays it's absolutely enchanting. If you're looking for a festive evening stroll, this is one of my favorite spots in DFW.

Every holiday season the entire park gets lit up with christmas lights each night. I have been…read morecoming for years with my family and it's a wonderful experience. The parking can be tricky, but its worth it and it's entirely free

This is a really nice park! There's an area where you can actually play in the fields so bring your…read moredogs out so they can run around as long as they are nice and friendly. There's also an area where you can do hills for a workout, and a couple of trails that lead out various ways! Some of the trail is shaded and some there is no shade, so make sure to bring water and stay hydrated while walking, jogging or running! There are cyclists on the trail as well, so be mindful as you are out there to keep your ears open for when they come behind you. There is one restroom that is like an outhouse so make sure to use the restroom before you come, but if you want to use the porter potty there is one right when you enter the gate on the right hand side. This place is great to bring your family out to have a nice Picnic or just to take some nice photos as well. I love coming here. I do feel safe but when you come out here, please try to at least bring someone with you so that you have a partner as you work out. There's also wildlife out here please do not touch. There are signs out as to where the wildlife may be at so be mindful. And in the meantime, enjoy the atmosphere of being outside in the elements.

I've been wanting to come to this park for a very long time, and I brought my dog here on a weekday…read moreevening. It is right off the tollway, which made the park incredibly loud! I could barely hear my thoughts, so I definitely bring some earbuds or headphones if you come here for a walk/run. Not only that, it's busy and the park had a lot of mud due to poor drainage. I was disappointed with this place although it was so busy. Lastly, the park doesn't have good lighting for the nighttime so be careful and don't get too far from the parking lot after sunset.