Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
19
Fort Worth Nature Center
Hiking with buffalo? The herd here is fenced off, but getting an occasional glimpse of these iconic
creatures of the American West adds allure and a photo op to this trail. With more than 3,600 acres of
forests, prairies, and wetlands, the Fort Worth Nature Center is one of the largest city-owned nature cen-
ters in the United States. Thankfully all that space and the park's entrance fee keep it relatively sparsely
populated much of the time. Even on busy weekends, only one or two hikers may be spotted along this
trail by the shores of the West Fork of the Trinity River and a forested river bottom.
Distance: 1.8-mile lollipop
Approximate hiking time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Trail surface: Packed dirt; portions on a wooden boardwalk
Best season: Mar through May; Oct through Nov
Other trail users: Birders
Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted
Fees and permits: Entrance fee; no charge for children under age 2
Schedule: Nature center open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Oct through Apr; 8:00 a.m. to 7:00
p.m. Mon through Fri and 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sat and Sun May through Oct; closed
Thanksgiving and Christmas
Maps: TOPO! Texas CD; maps available online at www.fwnaturecenter.org
Trail contacts: Fort Worth Nature Center; (817) 392-7410; www.fwnaturecenter.org
Special considerations: Facilities are limited here, so bring your own food and water.
Bring a pair of binoculars and a camera for wildlife viewing and photos.
In addition: Don't miss the prairie dog town, where hundreds of these once-ubiquitous
creatures roam their native habitat.
Finding the trailhead:
From Loop I-820, exit at TX 199 (Jacksboro Highway) and go
west 4 miles. Exit Confederate Park Road to the right and stay on the service road. At
