Nature Trails in Burleson, Texas

Anyone looking for a place for a peaceful stroll, or perhaps a challenging hike, can find plenty of options in the area around Burleson, Texas. The city is a stone's throw from several parks and recreation areas with nature trails, but you don't have to leave town to take a hike. Burleson's own trail system provides a walking route through some surprisingly wild and scenic areas right in the heart of the city.

  1. Strolling Through Burleson

    • The city of Burleson's trail system is still a work in progress at the time of publication, but a 2.4-mile section known as the Oak Valley Trail is open to foot traffic. The trail begins at the corner of Rigney Way and Scott Street, and winds along the bank of Village Creek, across open meadows and through shady woods before reaching its endpoint at Oak Valley Park North. The trail's paved surface makes it an easy walk, and access is free. A few other city parks in Burleson have short walking trails, including Centennial Park, Elk Ridge Estates Park and Mistletoe Hill Park.

    Hiking Along the Lakeshore

    • About 20 minutes northwest of Burleson, Benbrook Lake is a major fishing and boating destination that also has a few options for hikers. The 10-mile Benbrook Lake Trail meanders along the southeastern shore of the lake, starting near the entrance to Rocky Creek Park. Open to horseback riding as well as hiking, the trail takes hikers through a mostly undeveloped landscape of lakeside woods and meadows. You might spot a few deer along the way, and anyone with a fishing pole and a current Texas fishing license can stop to cast a line for bass, crappie and catfish. Another option is the 3.1-mile Benbrook Dam Trail, which follows the lake's northern shore above the dam.

    Exploring Cedar Hill

    • Cedar Hill State Park is about 30 minutes east of Burleson. One of the most visited state parks in Texas due to its proximity to Dallas and Fort Worth, the park has a few hiking options, along with picnic areas, fishing access and overnight camping. The Talala Trail and the Duck Pond Trail form a 4.23-mile loop through woods and meadows. Interpretive signs along the way help hikers identify native trees and plants near the trail, and the trails are prime territory for bird watchers, who can spot red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and nearly 200 other bird species. Cedar Hill State Park is also home to the 15-mile DORBA Trail, which is used primarily for mountain biking.

    Getting Back To Nature

    • Just outside Cedar Hill State Park, the Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center encompasses more than 200 acres of pristine woodland habitat that harbors plants and animals from the endangered golden-cheeked warbler to the rare Hexalectris orchid. Hikers can explore the area on the 0.5-mile Canyon Floor Trail, which begins at the Audubon Center, and the 1.1-mile West Rim Trail, accessible from the Audubon Center via a 0.25-mile connector trail. The West Rim Trail is the more strenuous of the two, with a few brief climbs, but both trails are suitable for hikers of all skill levels.