Uncover the Best Trails for Hiking, Biking, and Running
By Allie Spletter
Many who are looking to improve their health or move more head to the gym this time of year, but gyms aren’t the only places in our area to start moving more and cash in those resolutions. The Frisco area, and North Texas in general, is a hotbed for a plethora of outdoor activities, including walking, trail running, hiking, and even mountain biking.
While Frisco’s own Northwest Community Park is home to a DORBA (Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association) Trail, it will be closed for the foreseeable future as construction begins on the park as a whole, so we’ve rounded up a few other options in the area that are perfect for getting outside, making moving a priority, and even taking up a new hobby.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Just south of Frisco on the western border of Plano lies Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, a 200-acre park that serves as a haven for wildlife lovers, walking enthusiasts, hikers, and even those seeking a more challenging running, jogging, or biking experience. Though it’s nestled within the heart of Plano, surrounded by homes and businesses, Arbor Hills has long been embraced as a fantastic little (okay, big) oasis with vast natural beauty for outdoor activities.
What sets Arbor Hills apart is its well-rounded mix of natural landscapes that include open meadows, wooded areas, creeks and ponds, and even picturesque bridges. It’s the perfect place to grab a journal and a camera, as a highlight of the preserve is its observation tower, which offers sweeping, stunning views of the city.
With almost three miles of designated off-road cycling trails for mountain biking, three miles of natural unpaved trails for pedestrians only, and three miles of paved recreational trails, Arbor Hills gives visitors ample opportunities to hike, bike, or stroll. Most trails are beginner to intermediate level, making the preserve welcoming to visitors of all skill levels.
While out enjoying the fresh air, be sure to keep an eye out for Texas native wildlife historically spotted in the area, including various species of toads, snakes, birds, insects, and mammals like the nine-banded armadillo, cottontail, skunks, and raccoons. Visitors of the preserve visitors can also find restrooms, a covered pavilion (available for reservation), and a playground for kids. Many find that, while Arbor Hills isn’t the largest or most challenging trail system, the more you visit and explore, the more you discover.
For more information, visit plano.gov/1397/Arbor-Hills-Nature-Preserve.
Erwin Park
Located in Northwest McKinney, Erwin Park is 212 acres of outdoor fun with an abundance of options for outdoor activity. Maintained by DORBA, Erwin Park is home to a well-managed and challenging mountain biking trail and skills park, amongst other outdoor features, all while seeking to carry on the tradition of establishing itself as a prairie land restoration destination.
In working to become an established restoration destination, planting is ongoing with a seed mix known as the Blackland Prairie Mix, which contains 45 species of wildflowers and grasses. Some more common plants are little bluestem, buffalo grass, blanket flowers, black-eyed Susan, and butterfly weed.
Erwin Park features large expanses of open spaces, over ten miles of mountain bike trails, natural wooded areas, 12 designated camping/campfire sites (can be reserved), three picnic pavilions (can be reserved), and two restroom facilities. For avid mountain bikers, there are two Dero bike repair stations for minor repairs and an exciting skills park with beginner, intermediate, and advanced jump lines for biking enthusiasts to try or continue to hone their skills.
With so much to do, Erwin Parrk is a premier North Texas park for hiking, trail running, camping, mountain biking, or just getting some Vitamin D. Whether you go on a nature hike, reserve a camping spot, or tackle the mountain bike skills course, you'll find yourself planning your next trip before your first even ends. For more information, visit mckinneytexas.org/885/Erwin-Park.
Isle du Bois
Head just a bit Northwest of Frisco, and nature awaits in the form of Ray Roberts Lake State Park, home to Isle du Bois (IDB), another DORBA-maintained trail system, and plenty of other outdoor activities for the whole family. On land, visitors can camp, hike, bike, ride horseback, rollerblade, or geocache, and can enjoy quieter pursuits like photography, nature watching, or taking a scenic walk.
The IDB DORBA trails consist of five trails built by mountain bikers comprised of Loop A, B, C, D, and E, with Loop D being the most challenging of the trails (The IDB Unit has an all-terrain wheelchair for use in the park, which can be reserved via email before your visit).
Visitors can explore miles of trails on foot, bike, or horseback along the 20-mile multiuse Greenbelt Corridor that runs from Ray Roberts Dam to Lake Lewisville along the Elm Fork Branch of the Trinity River. Horse riders can use 12 miles of the trail, while 10 miles are only for hike and bike use.
Activities on the water can include swimming at one of the beach areas (no lifeguards on duty), paddling, or fishing in the lake (and there’s a kids’ fishing pond!). Fishing enthusiasts can catch largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, and catfish on the 29,000-acre Ray Roberts Lake, where boat ramps, a marina, a fishing pier, and fish cleaning stations (Fun fact: you can fish from the shore or a pier in a state park without a fishing license) are available.
In addition to the endless outdoor activity options, park rangers lead nature hikes and programs on outdoor skills, arts in the parks, and guided nature hikes and programs for groups are available in the outdoor classroom. For more information, visit tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ray-roberts-lake (Note for readers: there is a $7 per person daily entrance fee; children 12 and under are free).
North Shore Trail
Appropriately named, this DORBA-maintained trail is situated along the banks of Lake Grapevine and truly has something for everyone, not just mountain bikers. Touted as one of the most popular and best trails in the metroplex, North Shore Trail has 22.5 miles of moderately difficult terrain and picturesque views of the lake, cliffs, and shores. The trail is safe for and popular with hikers and trail runners, though all are encouraged to use caution (and be mindful of the mountain bikers zipping by in some of the tighter areas) as some of the terrain is challenging.
The trail is a natural path with rocky sections and features an abundance of elevation changes and switchbacks with a higher difficulty level than most North Texas trails. Many that frequent North Shore refer to it in halves – the “east side,” which is doable for most skill levels, and the “west side,” which is more advanced. A majority of riders will choose to tackle the east side first and then the west side when they feel comfortable.
North Shore has several gorgeous overlooks of the lake with expansive views and opportunities to take side paths down to the lake shore (sometimes down a steep incline). Often, visitors will even see people who have set up hammocks between the trees in some of the overlooks, just enjoying the day. Visitors can start at Rockledge Park, Twin Coves Park, or Murrell Park, though Rockledge Park and Twin Coves Park have entry fees. Trail runners, hikers, and mountain bikers often start at Murrell Park, which is conveniently the trail's midpoint.
North Shore Trail is accessible year-round but does close at times due to weather, so be sure to check the DORBA website for trail status. For more information, visit lake-grapevine.com.
Allie Spletter is the Managing Editor of Frisco STYLE Magazine and loves experiencing North Texas’ trails with her husband Zach, who is an avid mountain biker.
