5 Places to Run In…Dallas

The Dallas-Fort Worth running scene is booming. With more races debuting each year and new trails being developed and improved, denizens of the area are discovering that the Big D is a good place to be a runner. From dirt singletrack, to crushed limestone trails, to wide-open paved paths, there’s a little something for everyone in this running mecca of the Lone Star State. What’s more, there’s a burgeoning community to support your running endeavors, no matter the desired distance or pace.

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Here are five great places to run in Dallas that just about any runner can appreciate:

White Rock Lake Trail

Located in northeast Dallas, White Rock Lake is a 1,254-acre reservoir that attracts active folks from around the area. Since a single loop is about 9.3 miles, the many runners who hit the lake on a regular basis have developed a number of shorter out-and-back options. The lake trail is also a part of the Dallas Marathon course, once called the Dallas White Rock Marathon and the oldest 26.2-mile event in Texas.

Katy Trail

Running along the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad path, the Katy Trail will take you right through the heart of Dallas. A unique way to see the city on foot, this paved 3.5-mile rail trail is constantly being improved. Running from Southern Methodist University on the north end to American Airlines Center in the south, be sure to take note of the trailheads and plazas that are all a part of the 125 acres of contiguous Dallas parkland.

Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve

If trail running is your jam, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better spot in the Dallas area than the Cedar Ridge Preserve. Comprised of 600 acres of wildflowers, woods and 9 miles of winding trails, it’ll show any runner what hill country is all about. Keep your eyes open for the rare bird known as the black-capped vireo, which calls the preserve home.

Grapevine Lake

The scenery from the shores and bluffs towering above Grapevine Lake will make you stop and take a breather. The 9.5-mile North Shore Trail on the north side of the lake is a favorite among off-road runners, taking you over rolling and wild terrain from Rockledge to Twin Coves Park. If you prefer pavement, check out the C. Shane Wilbanks Trail, which runs for 3.4 miles on the south side of the lake and connects to the Oak Grove Trail for another 1.3 miles.

Trinity Trails

This trail system in Fort Worth, Texas, features a 40-mile plus network of paths that weave along the Trinity River. The multi-use trails connect 21 parks, the Fort Worth Botanical Garden, the Fort Worth Zoo, and the historic Stockyards. Offering more than 20 miles of gravel trails alone, the majority of these miles are flat and fast.

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