Oak Cliff Nature Preserve

My daughters and I hiked the white loop today. We all loved the trail and the fact that it was a bit of nature right in the heart of Dallas. The only part we were unhappy with was the fact that many people have ventured off the paths to create new trails which made staying on the correct trail confusing.

This is my go-​to trail when I’m in a time crunch. It makes you feel like you aren’t in Dallas. There are trails for every skill level. It is well maintained and usually opens up pretty quickly after it has been raining. It’s also close to two different bike shops, which can be helpful at times. I’ve never *not* enjoyed myself while biking out here.

I’ve only been here once, but it was extremely dirty with litter through out the trails. It was a prob for me because I like to walk trails for the scenery and to relax.
The trails are NOT marked well at all! i got lost on the white trails and ended up on the blue and yellow trail and could not find my way out. Thankfully for GPS I did.
I attend hiking trails often and this was on of the worst.
The parking lot off pierce street is very small and was taking up by cars with bikers.
Probably will not be returning.

I’m writing this as a mountain bike review. The trails are fantastic– especially in this part of Dallas. The neighborhood is located in a bit of a sketchy area, so leave no valuables in the car.
The loops are all short w an average of about a mile a piece, but are moderate to very technical w some hellacious climbs!
The trails are marked, but can be confusing. So tread with caution as you may collide w someone going the wrong way.
Crazy homemade iron spider and cool rest area w… well you just have to see it!

I’ve been going to this place almost everyday for a few weeks now. I absolutely love it. There are so many trails, and each one has it’s own flavor. There are quite a few hills (by Dallas standards), and trail 4 even has ramps you can bike on. The only thing negative thing I can say is that it’s easy to get lost. There’s a severe lack of signage. It took me quite awhile to figure out the exit.

This place is just… WOW. I am so glad I finally decided to drive here to do a trail run. My GPS took me to the entrance of the preserve where there is a gravel parking lot but cannot fit that many cars. I had to park on the side and was worried of being towed, but I saw a biker nearby and asked him, he seemed like he was a veteran of the park and he told me that should be fine! So I was happy, and started my run. First the weather alone was great but I can tell if the temperature was a bit higher, I would not have felt too hot, because all the trees were blocking the sun.
This is a 7.8 loop but there are loops within loops in this trail. So easy to get turned around… but you won’t get lost, because like I said it’s a loop so eventually you will find your way back. I saw plenty of bikers, a few hikers, and then I was the only runner, hehe. Awesome place, can’t wait to go back!

I did this preserve earlier today. This is the first time I’ve ever been here and it’s nice. It’s has several trails in it and it’s really good for walking and running. (Jogging) It has hills but not a mountain worth of hills but enough to fan your breathing some.
The signs are not either there or its not enough of them. It could be label better. Naming trails and informing people of which why to go if the want to go out.

I was visiting Dallas for work and found this place to hike through Unilocal.It was cool! So unexpected in the neighborhood where it’s located. I had a hard time finding it at first. When the road turns, you’ll see what looks like an exit gate to an apartment complex and to the right a gravel parking lot. The lot is to the nature preserve. Enjoy!

Absolutely gorgeous. Kind of reminded me of hiking in Santa Fe. Rugged, serene, and beautiful. I only hiked for a while before getting tired in the summer heat, however the temperature wasn’t bad in the shady, tree-​covered parts of the trail.
There’s a little turn in on Pierce that leads to a small parking lot for the Trail as well as what looks like an apartment complex.
Very unique and special refuge in the heart of Oak Cliff. Highly recommended.

This is as good as it gets in the city of Dallas. The trails are in terrific shape and the signage is a little confusing at times for a first run. DORBA does an amazing job on directions and trail conditions. It smells like Hill Country once you are out on the trails.

The Oak Cliff Nature Preserve is a beautiful natural park hidden deep in the ‘hood. I had no clue this place existed and yet I grew up playing upstream along the same creeks that cut through the area. It reminds me of the raw parks I have become fond of here in Seattle, places where you can truly lose yourself and reconnect with nature while remaining inside the city. This isn’t the type of park that has swing sets and picnic tables. It’s a rare glimpse into what Texas probably looked like back before the land was clearcut for agriculture in the 19^th century. Most of the park is made up of fields full of wildflowers and shrubs. There are a few wooded areas that offer cool shade during the summer. The aforementioned creeks are surprisingly clean and not overrun with bugs. If you stop you can listen to the mockingbirds sing. As true Oak Cliff residents they sometimes mimic car alarms and paleta cart bells – otherwise you wouldn’t know you were so close to the city.
If you ride your bike beware of the wild cacti that grow alongside the trails. Also, bring water because it’s easy to get lost (which isn’t a bad thing here.)

You feel like you’re in the middle of no where on this tract of land which can be hilly and forested. I ran the trail with my dog, and got lost. Looks like it’s pretty good for biking too.
Benches for a lunch are scattered throughout the trails.
This is a little known about place that is real cool to know about. Check it out.