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Cedar Ridge Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 5,688 Google reviews · Running trail in Dallas, Texas · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Cedar Ridge Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

LoopShadedScenicDog-friendlyHillyRestroomsTrailhead parkingMile markersQuiet

Audubon nature preserve offering 9 miles of hiking trails through 600 acres of hill country habitat.

What runners say about Cedar Ridge Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (5,688 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Overall, it’s a beautiful & well-maintained place for hiking, whether you’re going solo, with friends or with family.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 13 mentions

“Nestled in the heart of nature, Cedar Ridge Preserve offers a refreshing escape from the city with its scenic trails, diverse terrain, and tranquil environment.”

🌳 shaded & cool 4 mentions

“The trail is very well marked, easy to follow, and mostly shaded, which makes the hike much more enjoyable even on warmer days.”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“The trail is very well marked, easy to follow, and mostly shaded, which makes the hike much more enjoyable even on warmer days.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Cedar Ridge Outer Loop is definitely one of the best hiking spots around DFW for anyone who enjoys nature and peaceful trails.”

Cedar Ridge has definitely become a favorite hiking spot of mine even though I live 45 minutes away. If you are looking for beautiful covered trails and hiking for all ages this is it! There are some trails which are challenging with elevation gain and others that are nice and easy.

★★★★★ — Brendan , Jul 2025

Came here with my boyfriend, since the weather’s been so nice. We had to wait for a few minutes to enter the park, since they let the same amount of people go in as those exiting. It’s so nice to be surrounded by nature and to see such great views.

★★★★★ — Jenniedafoodie , Nov 2025

9 miles of intermediate hiking trails. Beautifully kept. Safe for solo hiking. Dog friendly on leash. Usually a short line to get in on weekends. One car in, one out. Follow entrance road all the way back to small parking lot. Clean restrooms. Friendly hikers. Trail maps.

★★★★★ — April , Feb 2026

Cedar Ridge Outer Loop is definitely one of the best hiking spots around DFW for anyone who enjoys nature and peaceful trails. The trail is very well marked, easy to follow, and mostly shaded, which makes the hike much more enjoyable even on warmer days.

★★★★★ — Arif , May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 5,688 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 19 mentions

“Nestled in the heart of nature, Cedar Ridge Preserve offers a refreshing escape from the city with its scenic trails, diverse terrain, and tranquil environment.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 9 mentions

“Be mindful of to come early so you get a parking spot easily else you will have to park farther.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 8 mentions

“This trail will test your mental and physical strength with quite a few incline and descending areas.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

“Love the trails here, family friendly, dog friendly, some areas are steep.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“The trail is very well marked, easy to follow, and mostly shaded, which makes the hike much more enjoyable even on warmer days.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Cedar Ridge Outer Loop is definitely one of the best hiking spots around DFW for anyone who enjoys nature and peaceful trails.”

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🔁 Loop trail 3 mentions

“Cedar Ridge Outer Loop is definitely one of the best hiking spots around DFW for anyone who enjoys nature and peaceful trails.”

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📏 Mile markers 3 mentions

“The trail is very well marked, easy to follow, and mostly shaded, which makes the hike much more enjoyable even on warmer days.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“One huge plus is they have water coolers throughout the park and air conditioned bathrooms at the entrance.”

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Plan your run at Cedar Ridge Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteaudubondallas.org
  • Phone+1 972-709-7784
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 6:30 am–8 pm
Wednesday 6:30 am–8 pm
Thursday 6:30 am–8 pm
Friday 6:30 am–8 pm
Saturday 6:30 am–8 pm
Sunday 6:30 am–8 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Cedar Ridge Preserve

7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249

Get directions

Running trails near Dallas

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Escarpment Road Trail

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under a mile away

BigCedar MTB Trail

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Big Cedar Wilderness Trail

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Natural surface

Mountain biking and hiking trails with varying difficulty levels are offered at this spot with a public restroom.

under a mile away

Cedar Hill Park Reserve Trail

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under a mile away

Quail Run Park

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1.8 miles away

Cedar Mountain - Dallas County Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 62 reviews

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PavedScenicDog-friendly

Preserve featuring overlooks and trails for walking, hiking and mountain biking.

1.9 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.