The City of Plano finished an erosion-control project around the northeastern pedestrian bridge and west of the main pavilion and has reopened the concrete trails, but some soft-surface trails remain closed behind fencing while vegetation re-establishes.
Expected reopening: City of Plano says the fences will be removed in spring 2027
Confirm current status with City of Plano Parks and Recreation before visiting.
Open alternatives: Cedar Ridge Outer Loop
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve page, "Arbor Hills Erosion Control, Pedestrian Bridge" project note, plano.gov/arbor-hills-nature-preserve, checked October 4, 2026.
Arbor Hills Outer Loop Hiking Guide
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a 200-acre pocket of open meadow and juniper on Plano's western edge, and its outer loop is the easy way to see most of it in an hour or so. AllTrails lists the circuit at 2.8 miles with roughly 150 feet of gain, mixing natural tread and pavement. It is free, open early and late, and the observation tower looks out over the city.
Fenced Sections Until Spring 2027
Plano has finished erosion repairs on both sides of the northeastern pedestrian bridge and west of the main pavilion, and the concrete trails there are open again. Some soft-surface paths are still behind fencing so new vegetation can take hold; the city plans to take the fences down in spring 2027. Follow the open routes rather than stepping around the barriers.
Three Kinds of Trail
The city counts about 3 miles of natural unpaved trails for pedestrians only, open dawn to dusk, about 3 miles of paved recreational trail, and a separate off-road cycling trail of roughly 2.8 miles. The AllTrails outer loop follows the perimeter on a mix of these surfaces, through open meadow and juniper with both sun and shade, and you can shorten or stretch it on the cross trails. The observation tower near the center is worth the detour.
Wet-Weather Closures
When it rains, Plano closes the natural surface trails to stop erosion, and they can stay shut for a few days after the weather clears while the ground dries. For the current status, call 972-210-2936 and choose option 9, or check Arbor Hills in the free RainoutLine app.
Hours and Parking
The preserve is at 6701 W Parker Road. It is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday; on Wednesdays it is closed from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. for maintenance and opens 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. There is no entry fee. The Redbud, Burr Oak and Hawthorne pavilions can be reserved through the city.
Dogs, Bugs and Wildlife
AllTrails reports leashed dogs are welcome, and the city asks owners to put pet waste in the trash cans. Plano warns that chiggers are common in summer, along with poison ivy, insects and venomous snakes, so wear repellent and stay on the marked trails. The city also posts guidance for visitors on bobcats and coyotes.
Hiking tips for Arbor Hills Outer Loop
- Call 972-210-2936, option 9, after rain to see if the dirt trails are open.
- Skip Wednesday mornings, when the preserve is closed until 2 p.m.
- Stay outside the restoration fencing until it comes down in spring 2027.
- Spray for chiggers before summer walks in the meadow grass.
- Climb the observation tower for the view before finishing the loop.
Nearby trails to explore
- Cedar Ridge Outer Loop
- Talala Trail (Cedar Hill State Park)
- Greer Island Trail (Fort Worth Nature Center)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Arbor Hills fits before work or after dinner, and an evening loop is easy to organize. Use TrailMates to find Dallas-Fort Worth hikers heading to Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. Download the TrailMates app to connect.