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What Are Some Outdoor Activities in Dallas, Texas?

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Outdoor activities in Dallas, Texas can offer you an opportunity to commune with nature, work off some energy or just have a good time. While there are many attractions within the city limits, you can find others a short distance away. In any case, Dallas is hopping with things to do.

Visiting the Dallas Zoo is one of the outdoor activities in Dallas that many families would enjoy. The zoo features a Wilds of Africa exhibit, as well as a Monorail Safari. The Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is known for its azaleas, all 3,000 of them. If you’re in search of a park try Boulder Park with it’s biking and hiking trails, Rochester Park, or the Connemara Conservancy. You might also want to take a hike on the Katy Trail.

There are many hiking trails around Dallas.
There are many hiking trails around Dallas.

If you’re looking for something with a little less city, you might visit the Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands, which lie to the north of Dallas-Fort Worth, providing an extension of the outdoor activities in Dallas proper. Open year round for a variety of outdoor activities, including camping, hunting, and wildlife spotting. Species you are likely to see include birds such as bobwhite quail and turkey, white-tailed deer, and coyotes, red foxes, and bobcats.

The rural terrain that is found outside the Dallas metropolitan area is popular with hunters.
The rural terrain that is found outside the Dallas metropolitan area is popular with hunters.

If you’re venturing beyond the city limits, you also might wish to consider Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. The website has height requirements and a “thrill rating” system for their many rides, so you can decide if you want mild, moderate, or max in the thrill department. Some rides require an adult to accompany a child, no matter what height s/he is.

Coyotes live in the Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands.
Coyotes live in the Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands.

If you’re seeking a more organized approach to your outdoor activities in Dallas, you can check out the DFW Outdoors club. As an events oriented club, you can find everything from pub crawling to hiking to bonfires to wine tasting to bowling. For a preview, check out their website.

And if you’re interested in a more athletic experience, check out the Texas Mountaineers. Formed as an extension of the Dallas Sierra Club, the Texas Mountaineers promote climbing activities in northern Texas.

Dallas offers wine-tasting tours.
Dallas offers wine-tasting tours.

Other outdoor activities in Dallas include Pioneer Plaza with its sculptures of longhorn, the Dallas Farmer’s Market, and Fountain Place, with the 175 fountains on its grounds. And if you’re looking for a more serene setting, spend some quiet moments in Thanks-Giving Square, where an all-faith shrine, a huge stained glass window, and seclusion from the city traffic.

The Dallas Zoo houses a variety of animals.
The Dallas Zoo houses a variety of animals.

While engaging in the exciting outdoor activities in Dallas, Texas, it's crucial to prioritize your health and well-being. Consider consulting Dallas dietitians to ensure you maintain a balanced diet and stay energized throughout your outdoor adventures. Whether exploring the Dallas Zoo, hiking the scenic trails at the Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands, or enjoying thrilling rides at Six Flags Over Texas, dietitians can provide valuable guidance on nourishing food choices that complement your active lifestyle.

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to WiseTour about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

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Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to WiseTour about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

SZapper

@KaBoom - Thanks for the tip! I'm very interested in visiting Dallas at some point in the near future. I have a few friends that live right near there. I'm a big fan of outdoor activities, so I think I'm definitely going to check out a few things mentioned in this article.

KaBoom

All of these activities sound like a lot of fun. A good friend of mine is from Dallas and she's a big fan of the National Grasslands.

One thing to keep in mind though, is that Texas has some wildlife that people from other states might not be used to. A good example of this is scorpions! Many people might not be familiar with them, but they are poisonous! And from what my friend says, quite scary to look at too.

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    • There are many hiking trails around Dallas.
      There are many hiking trails around Dallas.
    • The rural terrain that is found outside the Dallas metropolitan area is popular with hunters.
      By: zorandim75
      The rural terrain that is found outside the Dallas metropolitan area is popular with hunters.
    • Coyotes live in the Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands.
      By: Michael Ireland
      Coyotes live in the Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands.
    • Dallas offers wine-tasting tours.
      By: contrastwerkstatt
      Dallas offers wine-tasting tours.
    • The Dallas Zoo houses a variety of animals.
      By: Trubble
      The Dallas Zoo houses a variety of animals.
    • White-tailed deer live in the Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands.
      By: satori
      White-tailed deer live in the Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands.
    • Pioneer Plaza has sculptures of Texas Longhorn cattle.
      By: Evan Luthye
      Pioneer Plaza has sculptures of Texas Longhorn cattle.