Places in the Area

The city of Grapevine has tons of hike/bike/jogging trails around the lake and Arlington has some trails in Legacy Park. There are also some trails along the Trinity River in Ft. Worth.

We have run several stories on www.BurbMom.net that have area hiking places. Here are a few:

Old Alton Bridge area: http://www.burbmom.net/old-alton-bridge-part-deux/

Grapevine Lake: http://www.burbmom.net/my-first-adventure/

LISDOLA: http://www.burbmom.net/time-for-a-hike/

Bob Jones Nature Center: http://www.burbmom.net/bob-jones-nature-center-and-preser...

LLELA: http://www.burbmom.net/hiking-at-llelaand-a-poop-story/

I know there are more, but that will get you started...Oh! I thought of one more place we really like since like me you have smaller kids -

River Legacy Center: http://www.burbmom.net/river-legacy-science-center-and-pa...

Have fun!

Look at the Fort Worth Nature Center just off the Jacksboro Highway, Hwy. 199. Go west on 820 from I-35, take 199 west (or right), past the Lake Worth bridge, and further west of that, is Confederate Park Road. Turn right, which takes you straight to the entrance gate. You can get in for $4.00 per adult, less for the kids. It's 4000 acres of undeveloped wilderness on the side of Lake Worth. We ride our bikes out there every Sunday morning, and today saw about 15 deer. You see great blue Herons, big white American Egrets, coots, turkey vultures, pelicans, etc. Many hiking trails, some guided on certain days, you can do kayaking or canoeing on certain days, they have educational programs for kids, and an educational building. Cost for a single adult for a yearly membership is $45.00, for family is about $75.00 yearly, and worth every penny of it.
It's an amazing place, and right now the leaves are all coming down like rain, in reds and golds, underbrush clearing back so the deer are easier to see. Once you have the little sticker hanging on your car mirror, you can go any time, within the posted hours. There is a lengthy and large boardwalk for observing nature, with a bird blind for photography and viewing, several canoe launch areas, several portapotties, multiple hiking trails. Lovely place. And not heavily used, which makes it much safer for cyclists.
People bring their leashed dogs for walking, occasional runners, cyclists, and photographers come out and set up their cameras.
Google it to find out more.

Fort Worth Nature Center is great for hiking. Some of the trails right around the main building can get difficult (especially for a 3 year old) but they're all pretty well marked. Also, Possum Kingdom Lake is supposed to be great hiking. It's a little bit further out but I've been told it's definitely worth it.

I just went with my kindergarten son to River Legacy in Arlington. It was so much fun! they also have a pre-k class program and other things to do.
We had a great time hiking and drawing pictures and doing a nature scavenger hunt:)
They also have the new dinosaur bone dig site.

Glen Rose is great and the kids can see all the fossils.

Botanic Gardens, the Wildlife sanctuary (somewhere around Azle or Lake Worth, Glenrose - Dinosaur tracks

I teach preschool in my home and love to take the children to Rose Park - Mansfield. After a 30 min. walk w/nature, we end up at the playground. It even has a place marked off for sand play, so bring your pale and shovel.

Mrs. P.

Bob Jones Nature Center is great. My son and I love it! It's in Southlake. 1 mile and 5 mile trails with no mountain bikers. And a fun nature center to check out after the hike.