Cedar Ridge Preserve

The Got Weekend take

Why go

Cedar Ridge Preserve sits at 755 feet of elevation, giving hikers a taste of the Texas Hill Country inside Dallas County. Audubon Dallas manages the 633 acres, where roughly nine miles of trails wind through native prairies, woodlands and butterfly gardens. Trails range from short strolls like the quarter-mile ADA-accessible Little Bluestem to longer routes such as the 1.9-mile Cedar Brake; the Cattail Pond Trail ends at a quiet pond ringed with wildflowers, and the Escarpment Trail opens onto wide views of the surrounding landscape. Birdwatchers will find plenty to look at, and the butterfly garden near the entrance draws native species. It's a nature preserve rather than a park, so amenities are deliberately limited and upkeep depends on volunteers and donors.

• About nine miles of trails across 633 acres, from a 0.25-mile ADA-accessible loop to the 1.9-mile Cedar Brake trail
• Escarpment Trail offers panoramic views from the preserve's 755-foot elevation
• Butterfly garden near the entrance showcases native plants and attracts butterflies
• Popular birdwatching spot with diverse habitats of prairie, woodland and pond

Hikers, birdwatchers and families who want real trails and native habitat without leaving Dallas. Casual walkers and experienced hikers both have options here.

Make it your kind of weekend

• outdoors
• family outing
• solo exploring
• friends

A few visit notes

Open Tuesday through Sunday, closed Mondays. Admission is free with a $5 suggested donation. Parking is limited, so carpool on weekends. Dogs must be leashed and waste picked up; no bicycles or motorized vehicles; stay on marked trails; carry out all trash; camping and fires are prohibited. Gate closes at dusk.