Who says Texas doesn’t have four seasons?! Dallas may not be known as a fall foliage destination, but there are dog-friendly gems all around the city. Blackgum, elm, ash, maple, sweetgum, oak, and American Smoketree are among the best trees for fall colors in Texas. Below we have listed our top spots to enjoy the cooler weather and change in colors with our pups.
Katy Trail
The historic Katy Trail is built on an old railroad line and has become an iconic Dallas destination. This 3.5-mile trail is packed with trees and foliage on each side. It is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle only a block away. There are dedicated pedestrian paths on most of the trail, but always look out for cyclists.
Cedar Ridge Preserve
This preserve features 600 acres of native trees, grasses, and wildflowers, along with 9 miles of trails for hiking. Located only 20 minutes from the city, you truly feel out in nature at this park. Plus, Cedar Ridges sits 750 ft above sea level, which gives you a beautiful view of the city. Your dog will love tagging along on this getaway! Just make sure they stay on a leash as per park rules.
Dallas Arboretum
This 66-acre garden is located on the shores of White Rock Lake. They host seasonal displays every year. Their traditional Autumn festival is wrapping up, but it is the peak time to visit the Nancy Rutchik Red Maple Hill. More than 80 varieties of Japanese Maple trees are along the stream, leading to a vibrant trail of red leaves. Sorry, no pets are allowed in this garden to protect the plant collections but it’s so beautiful we could not leave them off the list!
If you are looking for even more spectacular views outside of the city, there are a number of options for a getaway outside of DFW.
Dinosaur Valley State Park (1.5 hours from Dallas)
Named for the dinosaur tracks still visible in the riverbed from 113 million years ago, Dinosaur Valley is a must-see for a DFW resident. During the Cretaceous Age, dinosaurs left tracks in the soft mud of a shallow sea that covered central Texas. Today, you can view two types of tracks in the Paluxy River, the three-toed tracks of theropods and the saucer-shaped tracks of sauropods. In addition to the history of this park, the scenery is beautiful. We recommend taking the Limestone Ledge Trail across the river for the best view of the fall foliage.
Beavers Bend State Park (3 hours from Dallas)
Ever considered visiting Oklahoma for a weekend? Beavers Bend State Park is located in the mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma and is the perfect spot to enjoy fall colors. This is due to the rich reds, yellows, and oranges created by the wide variety of trees here—hickory, ash, red maple, and sweetgum. With it being only 3 hours from DFW, Beavers Bend State Park is a premiere place for spotting fall foliage.
Lost Maples State Natural Area (5.5 hours from Dallas)
Known for its colors in the fall, Lost Maples is a beautiful state nature reserve located in Texas Hill Country. It protects a special stand of Uvalde Bigtooth Maples. With over 10 miles of hiking trails and a 2,200 ft cliff, you and your pup will be dog-tired at the end of the day. This park is so popular for autumn colors that they post a weekly fall foliage update so you can visit on the optimal weekend.
We hope you have some park ideas to enjoy an autumn walk with your dog! If your pup is not quite park-ready and needs to work on their leash manners first, check out our Dallas in-home dog training programs. We’d love to help! Schedule a free training consultation with us today.
