Canyon Ridge Trail (Fort Worth Nature Center) Hiking Guide
The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge sits on Lake Worth and the West Fork of the Trinity River, with trails through cross timbers, prairie and river bottom, and the Canyon Ridge Trail is its toughest hike. It follows limestone and sandstone outcrops above Lake Worth, dropping into shallow canyons and climbing back to ridge tops where the Civilian Conservation Corps built rock structures in the 1930s. The refuge calls it its most difficult trail and tells hikers to be ready for steep inclines.
Permit: Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge general admission, paid at the gatehouse: $6 adults 13-64, $3 seniors 65+, $2 children 3-12, under 3 free, and $2 per dog. Veterans with ID enter free; active military get $1 off per person. Cash, check and cards accepted. No reservation is needed for individual hikers.
One Way or Out and Back
The refuge lists Canyon Ridge as a 3.25-mile point-to-point trail. The refuge says hikers must get back to the trailhead by walking Shoreline Drive or doubling back on the trail; AllTrails measures the out-and-back at 6.2 miles with about 630 feet of gain. Three shortcuts drop to Shoreline Drive before the far end if you want to bail early, and benches are scattered along the way. A steep flight of 63 stone stairs dates to the CCC years.
Sand, Rock and Seeps
Footing changes from loose sand to hard limestone, and the trail bends constantly, which keeps it feeling remote. Water seeps through the porous sandstone in places, feeding small ephemeral streams and pockets of dense growth. On the high mesas look for yucca, prickly pear and, in spring, milkweed and other wildflowers. Hawks and vultures ride the ridge lines, and in winter rafts of migrating waterfowl dot Lake Worth below.
Hours and Admission
The refuge is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October through April and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May through September, with no entry after 4 p.m. so visitors have time to finish. It closes Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission at the gatehouse is $6 for adults 13 to 64, $3 for seniors, $2 for children 3 to 12 and $2 per dog. Anyone still inside after 5 p.m. gets locked in, so start a full out-and-back early.
Refuge Rules
The trails are for hiking only: no bicycles, horses, motorized vehicles or jogging. Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and solid waste must be removed. Roadside parking is not allowed and the speed limit is 20 mph, so use the marked lots. Nothing natural may be collected, alcohol and smoking are banned, and picnics are limited to designated areas.
Dress for Brush and Bugs
The refuge recommends long pants and closed-toe shoes, bug spray, sunscreen and water for everyone on the trail. Canyon Ridge mixes sunny ridge tops with brushy canyon bottoms, so long pants earn their keep on summer mornings. On a hot day, aim for the cool opening hour and turn around at one of the Shoreline Drive shortcuts rather than pushing the full distance.
Hiking tips for Canyon Ridge Trail (Fort Worth Nature Center)
- Enter before 4 p.m.; the gate stops admitting visitors then and locks at 5.
- Decide early whether to retrace the trail or walk back on Shoreline Drive.
- Use one of the three Shoreline Drive shortcuts if the heat builds.
- Leave the running shoes in the car; jogging is not allowed on refuge trails.
- Pay the $2 dog fee at the gatehouse and bring a 6-foot leash.
Nearby trails to explore
- Greer Island Trail (Fort Worth Nature Center)
- Cedar Ridge Outer Loop
- Fossil Ridge Loop (Cleburne State Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Canyon Ridge is the Fort Worth hike that earns a post-hike lunch. Use TrailMates to find Dallas-Fort Worth hikers heading to the Fort Worth Nature Center. Download the TrailMates app to connect.