Cedar Ridge Outer Loop Hiking Guide
Cedar Ridge Preserve is 633 acres of cedar brake, oak woods and prairie between Mountain Creek Parkway and FM 1382, about 20 minutes southwest of downtown Dallas, and Audubon Dallas manages it for hikers only. The outer loop strings together the Prairie, Bluebonnet, Escarpment, Fossil Valley, Possumhaw and Cedar Brake trails into the longest circuit in the network. It is the closest thing to Hill Country walking in the Dallas area, with real climbs in and out of creek ravines.
The Route
AllTrails measures the outer loop at 5.7 miles with about 705 feet of gain. Audubon Dallas lists the six trails it uses at 0.15 (Prairie), 0.90 (Bluebonnet), 0.75 (Escarpment), 0.90 (Fossil Valley), 0.55 (Possumhaw) and 1.90 miles (Cedar Brake), about 5.2 miles before the connectors back to the lot. The preserve's own elevation profiles show why the loop feels harder than its length: the Escarpment Trail drops from roughly 730 feet to the 560s, Fossil Valley dips twice to near 600 feet and climbs back, and Cedar Brake rolls up and down through several ravines. Tread is packed dirt with roots, limestone and loose rock.
Getting In
Entry is free. Audubon Dallas asks for a donation of $5 or more, at boxes by the education building and in the main lot or by QR code. The preserve is open Tuesday through Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to sunset, and the gate is locked one hour after sunset; it is closed to everyone on Mondays, though some Monday holidays open as fundraising days. The gravel lot at 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway fills on weekends; overflow parking is at Park in the Woods Recreation Center, 6801 Mountain Creek Parkway. Restrooms and the only water fountain are at the entrance.
Rain and Heat Closures
These trails are especially prone to damage when wet. After a few days of rain the staff close saturated trails, sometimes for a few days and sometimes for weeks, and can shut the whole preserve. It also closes when the National Weather Service issues a heat warning and the heat index is above 105, and after ice storms bring trees down. Check the banner on the Audubon Dallas site or the preserve's Facebook page before you drive.
Dogs and Rules
Dogs are allowed on a physical leash; Audubon Dallas says electronic collars do not count. Carry waste out to the trash cans at the entrance rather than leaving bags on the trail. The trails are for foot traffic only, with no bikes, horses or scooters, and external speakers, hammocks, drones and cooking are not allowed. Swimming in the pond is prohibited, and the staff suggest keeping dogs out of it too, since the water does not flow.
What to Watch For
Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac grow along most of the trails, and the preserve has venomous snakes, which staff ask you to give a wide berth. Audubon Dallas says sprained ankles are the most common injury and dehydration the bigger risk. Note the trail name and nearest mile marker as you go; Fire/Rescue Station 12 is a quarter mile from the gate and its crews know these trails. In summer most regulars are at the gate when it opens at 6:30 a.m.
Hiking tips for Cedar Ridge Outer Loop
- Do not plan a Monday visit; the preserve is closed to all.
- Check for a rain closure banner after wet weeks before driving out.
- Use the overflow lot at Park in the Woods when the gravel lot is full.
- Bring a real leash; electronic collars do not meet the preserve rule.
- Fill bottles at the entrance fountain, the only drinking water on site.
Nearby trails to explore
- Talala Trail (Cedar Hill State Park)
- Arbor Hills Outer Loop
- Canyon Ridge Trail (Fort Worth Nature Center)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
The outer loop is a long morning that goes better with company on the climbs. Use TrailMates to find Dallas-Fort Worth hikers heading to Cedar Ridge Preserve. Download the TrailMates app to connect.