Talala Trail (Cedar Hill State Park) Hiking Guide
Cedar Hill State Park sits 20 miles from downtown Dallas on the shore of 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake, where tallgrass prairie runs up against the White Rock Limestone Escarpment. The Talala Trail is the park's prairie walk and its best close look at the restoration work bringing remnant Blackland Prairie back. Talala is the Cherokee word for woodpecker, and the trail's overlook is one of several in the park.
Permit: Cedar Hill State Park's day-use entrance fee is $7 per person 13 and older; children 12 and under are free. A $70 Texas State Parks Pass covers a year of entry. TPWD recommends reserving day passes for weekends and holidays, online or at (512) 389-8900.
Distance and the Plum Valley Add-On
TPWD lists the Talala Trail at 2.3 miles, about two hours, and rates it moderate; AllTrails measures it at 2.2 miles with about 110 feet of gain. To stretch it, take the 0.8-mile Plum Valley Trail, a connector that reaches a second overlook where, in TPWD's words, the Tallgrass Blackland Prairie converges with the White Rock Limestone Escarpment. The 0.8-mile Duck Pond Trail is the easy option for small children.
Sticky Clay Closes the Trails
The soil here is clay that turns very tacky when wet, and the park closes trails during wet conditions to prevent erosion. Closures are posted trail by trail, and the short Penn Farm and accessible Shoreline trails can stay open while the dirt prairie trails are shut. TPWD posts a dated trail update on the park's home page; check it, or call the park at (972) 291-3900, before driving out after rain.
Prairie in the Sun
Much of this route crosses open grassland, and AllTrails warns that it is sunny and exposed. TPWD's advice for this park is to prepare for sun and heat, wear sunscreen and insect repellent, and carry a quart of water for every hour on the trail, plus water for your dog. The remnant prairie is important habitat for prairie wildlife and migratory birds, so bring binoculars during spring and fall migration.
Fees, Reservations and Penn Farm
Day use costs $7 per person 13 and older, and younger children are free. TPWD recommends reserving day passes for weekends and holidays and asks you to cancel if plans change so someone else can visit. The park entrance is at 1570 West FM 1382. Pair the hike with the 0.6-mile Penn Farm Trail around the farmstead John Anderson Penn's family worked for more than 100 years after he settled here in 1854.
Dogs and Other Users
Bring the dog if you like; Texas state parks require a leash of 6 feet or shorter. Trails at Cedar Hill are multiuse unless posted, so watch for cyclists; on the separate DORBA mountain bike loops TPWD asks riders to travel clockwise and people on foot counterclockwise. The park has an all-terrain wheelchair visitors can reserve by contacting the office.
Hiking tips for Talala Trail (Cedar Hill State Park)
- Read the dated trail update on the park page after any rain; Talala closes when wet.
- Add the Plum Valley connector for a second escarpment overlook.
- Reserve a day pass for weekend and holiday visits.
- Bring sun protection for the open prairie stretches.
- Walk the Penn Farm Trail if the prairie trails are closed.
Nearby trails to explore
- Cedar Ridge Outer Loop
- Fossil Ridge Loop (Cleburne State Park)
- Arbor Hills Outer Loop
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Talala is an easy prairie walk to bring a newer hiker along on. Use TrailMates to find Dallas-Fort Worth hikers heading to Cedar Hill State Park. Download the TrailMates app to connect.