There are almost 400 parks in Dallas, comprising over 20,000 acres of developed and undeveloped parkland excluding nature reserves. This represents one of the largest municipal park systems in the U.S.
It also provides ample opportunities for local residents and visitors to get outside and enjoy the fresh air in green surroundings, stretch their legs, walk the dog, play their favorite sports, let the kids play and more.
These parks are scattered around the downtown and suburban areas of Dallas and vary from small, picturesque hideaways to larger, sprawling areas of parkland attracting many visitors daily.
The best parks in Dallas have plenty of amenities, nearby parking and activities for parents as well as children to enjoy. Most are free to enter, open early and close late.
We’ve picked the 15 best parks in and around the city for various features. This will help you choose a place for your morning run, a weekend jaunt with the kids or simply to enjoy an evening stroll on a walking trail.
Here’s a quick summary, followed by a more detailed look at each park:
The best overall park in Dallas
Location: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201
Size: 5.2 acres
Top attraction: Quirky playground
Hours: 6 am to 11 pm daily
Parking: Metered parking is available streetside at most times of the day. If full, parking is available for $10 at several nearby locations. If you prefer to park for free in the West Village off McKinney Ave, you can take the complimentary M-Line trolley to the park.
Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2-acre city park set over a freeway that separates downtown and uptown Dallas. It is one of the most recognizable parks in the city and is well-known for its huge green lawns, food trucks, gastro-pub, butterfly garden and evening music/lights shows at the water fountain.
Equally attractive for families and business people taking a lunch break, the kids can enjoy the playground, which includes an enormous 35-foot climbing tower and slide. Parents can work out or practice yoga at one of the park’s free lessons, listen to music from the concert stage, play ping pong or board games or simply laze on the grass. Movie showings are also quite common.
Klyde Warren Park is a relatively small but convenient and welcome addition to the downtown arts area. It’s easy for art lovers to take a short stroll to the Dallas Museum of Art.
Best park in Dallas for on-leash dog walking
Griggs Park
Location: 2200 Hugo St, Dallas, TX 75204
Size: 8 acres
Top attraction: Plenty of dog-walking spaces
Hours: 6 am to 11 pm daily
Parking: No free parking but plenty of street parking in the surrounding residential areas.
An established park in the densely populated Uptown area of Dallas, Griggs Park is one of the best parks in Dallas for dog lovers, who enjoy taking a stroll with their best friends on the leash. That’s the rule here (if you want an off-leash dog park, move on to the next section).
Dallas families have been visiting this scenic park since 1915 and its newly renovated amenities include picnic areas, a children’s playground, picturesque groves of trees and plenty of quiet spaces, as well as areas for pets (with pet waste stations).
Best off-leash dog park
Location: 5841 Keller Springs Rd. Dallas, TX 75248
Size: 6.9 acres
Top attraction: Off-leash dog walking with plenty of dog facilities
Hours: 5 am to 11 pm daily (closed Mondays for maintenance and on rain days)
Parking: Available on-site
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department looks after nine off-leash dog parks dotted throughout the city. The one(s) you visit will likely depend on where you live but for those in the northern part of Dallas, Wagging Tail Dog Park is probably the best option — it was also the first dog park designed by the City of Dallas.
The park features waste disposal stations, benches, shaded areas and open spaces for your dog to run and socialize. Metal fenced areas, walking trails, dog drinking bowls and pet waste areas mean that most of your dog’s needs are taken care of here.
There are even separate designated areas for large dogs and small dogs. Dog owners can take in the scenery by White Rock Creek while enjoying a picnic or barbecue. There’s a flagstone observation deck rising 35 feet above the creek with great waterfall views.
Best park in Dallas to escape the city
Location: 4601 Lakeside Dr, Dallas, TX 75205
Size: 14 acres
Top attraction: Giant teddy bear statues
Hours: Temporarily closed through Spring 2024
Parking: Available along the lake
Located just by Exall Lake along Turtle Creek, in the affluent Highland Park neighborhood just to the north of downtown Dallas, Lakeside Park is one of those parks that take you away from the noise of the city and provide a sanctuary from the bustle and the fumes.
The kids will love the giant teddy bear statues and will probably update their Instagram and Facebook profiles with photos — but there’s much more to the park than this.
It’s picturesque and quiet, with plenty of picnic spaces and greenery spanning its 14 acres. A mansion and gazebo face you across the pond on private land and there’s a bridge over the Turtle Creek Dam with views of the local neighborhood — a great place for a picnic, a stroll or taking pictures with the family.
You can also join up with the Turtle Creek Greenbelt Trail, which is a 1.8-mile path that winds through the nearby Oak Lawn and Reverchon Parks.
One small caveat here: the park is undergoing landscape renovations to improve grading, drainage, sidewalk connections and more. It is scheduled to re-open after Spring 2024.
Best park in Dallas for families
Location: 8015 Doran Circle, Dallas, TX 75238
Size: 107 acres
Top attraction: All-inclusive kids’ playground
Hours: 5 am to 11 pm daily
Parking: Two new parking lots have recently been added
Located just to the north of White Rock Creek, Flag Pole Hill Park is a large metropolitan park covering over 100 acres. Established in 1929, it’s designed primarily for families, with a large, designated all-inclusive playground area for children and plenty of amenities for parents to amuse themselves too.
A big draw of Flag Pole Hill Park is the kids’ play area, which was only opened in 2018. It is already considered one of the best playgrounds in Dallas and is designed to promote children’s cognitive and social development. The famous Dallas-born golfer Jordan Speith was a contributor to the project.
The park also offers upgraded walking trails and paved paths through many acres of green space with views over the lake, as well as drinking fountains and picnic/grill areas. There’s also a covered pavilion that was built in the 1930s.
Best park in Dallas for views
Location: 3700 Sylvan Ave, Dallas, TX 75207
Size: 1.8 miles in length
Top attraction: Top views of the Dallas skyline
Hours: 6 am to 11 pm daily
Parking: Visitors parking available
If you want views of the Dallas skyline, Trammell Crow Park is the place. It’s the best park in Dallas for views of the city. Its location just to the northwest of downtown Dallas, in the floodway by the Trinity River, also affords plenty of scenic views of water and greenery.
But there’s more to this park than views. There’s a large grassy area beneath the Sylvan Avenue Bridge, opportunities for water sports like kayaking or boating on Trammell Crow Lake and plenty of space for flying kites or playing soccer or other sports.
Walking and biking trails (the Trinity Skyline Trail and Trinity Levee Top Loop Trail) allow you to enjoy the views while getting some exercise or walking the dog.
You may love or hate the five or six stone cow sculptures that are randomly dotted around this park but, either way, there’s something for everyone at Trammell Crow.
Best park in Dallas for picnics
Location: 260 Parkway Blvd, Coppell, TX 75019
Size: 118 acres
Top attractions: Picnic areas, fishing and other sports
Hours: 7 am to 11 pm daily
Parking: Accessible parking is available at Andrew Brown Park East
If you’re prepared to drive rather than walk to the local park for a picnic with the family and to play some sports, Andrew Brown Park is one of the best spots in Dallas. It has recently undergone renovations and is a popular place for families.
The park is located in the city of Coppell to the northwest of Dallas and features three distinct park areas: east, west and central.
As well as vast green spaces and plenty of picnic areas/picnic tables, benches and pavilions, visitors can enjoy a range of sports from fishing and biking to volleyball, softball and basketball on the courts provided. There’s also a walk-in playground for the toddlers.
Best park in Dallas for playing sports
Willis C. Winters Park (formerly Randall Park)
Location: 101 S Glasgow Dr, Dallas, TX 75214
Size: 16.7 acres
Top attractions: Sports facilities and the Santa Fe walking trail
Hours: 5 am to 11 pm daily
Parking: Parking lot available on-site
Willis C. Winters Park is a sports-oriented park located in the Lakewood Hills area, just to the northeast of downtown Dallas.
Encompassing a variety of athletic fields, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts and a state-of-the-art championship baseball complex, this park is an adult or youth sports lovers’ dream.
The baseball complex boasts four fields, warm-up areas, dug-outs, field screens, a press box, water fountains and permanent outdoor restrooms.
The park also features a playground, sprayground and picnic shelters for the rest of the family to amuse themselves — and access to the Santa Fe walking trail will keep the walkers in the family happy.
Upon the retirement from City Hall of Willis C. Winters, who is credited with growing the city’s park system in his role as head of Dallas Park And Recreation, Randall Park was renamed after him in 2019.
Best park in Dallas for walking trails
Boulder Park
Location: 6600 Pastor Bailey Dr, Dallas, TX 75237
Size: 106 acres
Top attraction: Walking and biking trails
Hours: Unknown (most popular between March and October)
Parking: On Pastor Bailey Dr, due north of the mall and church, with unpaved parking on the east side of the road/parallel parking on the pavement.
Boulder is a large, 106-acre metropolitan park, established in 1967 and located in the Redbird area to the southwest of downtown.
The Boulder Park walking and biking trail is the main attraction, a 6.4-km loop trail that is considered moderately challenging and takes around one hour and 20/30 minutes to complete. There is some rocky terrain and plenty of scenic forested areas.
Walkers are likely to also encounter mountain bikers and runners along the trail. You can even rent bikes here. Dogs are welcome in the park but must be kept on a leash.
Best park in Dallas for mountain biking
Harry S. Moss Park
Location: 8000 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231
Size: 284 acres
Top attraction: Mountain biking trails
Hours: 6 am to 11 pm daily
Parking: Small gravel parking lot with limited spaces at the intersection of Walnut Hill Lane and Greenville Avenue.
Boulder Park (see above) is equally as popular for mountain biking as it is for walking but a great alternative if that location is not convenient is Harry S. Moss Park.
This park is located to the northeast of downtown along the bank of the White Rock Creek (in the greenbelt) near the Royal Oaks Country Club.
Established in 1972, Harry S. Moss Park incorporates a 5.46-mile single-track trail mostly through trees and uneven terrain. There are actually five different interconnected trails with surprising twists and dips, dirt mounds, tree gates, some short hills and a total of seven wooden bridges.
The trail itself was constructed in 2010/2011 and although it seems purpose-built for mountain biking, it is a multi-use trail that attracts hikers, runners and dog walkers too. The trail is suitable for beginners as well as intermediate riders.
As well as the trails, the other attractions of this large metropolitan park include the Moss Soccer Park, picnic areas, a playground and other walking trails.
Best park in Dallas for water lovers
White Rock Lake Park
Location: 8300 E Lawther Dr, Dallas, TX 75218
Size: 1,254 acres
Top attraction: The largest lake in Dallas
Hours: 6 am to 11 pm daily
Parking: The lake is surrounded by plenty of free parking lots
Many of the best parks in Dallas offer water features, such as lakes, creeks, spraygrounds and more — but White Rock Lake Park stands out.
Located conveniently in the metro area, five miles northeast of downtown, a trip to this park feels like you’re escaping the city into forest greenery and lake lands. Based around the largest lake in Dallas, the park is a popular destination for lovers of fishing, boating, picnicking, biking and walking (there’s a nine-mile hiking and biking trail).
You can rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore the lake or bring your own boat and use the piers and boat ramps. Fishing and sailing are especially popular activities here.
There’s also a three-acre off-leash dog park and a playground, so it’s an excellent destination for all the family to get some exercise.
At well over 1,000 acres in size, White Rock Lake Park is one of the largest parks in Dallas (over twice the size of Central Park in New York) as well as one of the best for water lovers.
Best park in Dallas for outdoor parties
Location: 3333 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219
Size: 90 acres
Top attraction: Arlington Hall and outdoor picnics
Hours: 5 am to 11 pm daily
Parking: Limited parking is available inside the adjacent Reverchon Park and public parking in the surrounding neighborhood.
Turtle Creek Park is another conveniently situated and popular Dallas park, located at the intersection of the Turtle Creek Corridor, Uptown and Oak Lawn neighborhoods, just north of downtown.
This historic and pet-friendly park is a city-owned and maintained public greenbelt. It features pavilions, many different gardens, picnic areas, sports courts, sculptures and quite a wide variety of wildlife. There’s also the historic Arlington Hall venue available for hire for meetings, dinners and receptions.
This all helps to make the park a popular location for parties, with many photo opportunities on offer.
If you prefer, the adjacent Reverchon Park in Uptown is also a popular, historic and picturesque venue for outdoor parties with small hills, plenty of trees, fields, sports courts, picnic tables, trails and more. The Reverchon Recreation Center also has a large meeting room for hire with a kitchen, fitness center and gym.
Best park in Dallas for skateboarding
Location: 2600 St Francis Ave, Dallas, TX 75228
Size: 8 acres
Top attraction: Skate park
Hours: 5 am to 11 pm daily
Parking: Available
Lakeland Hills Park was established in 1974 and is located to the east of the city between the White Rock Hills and Eastwood Hills neighborhoods.
The skate park is the primary attraction here, though the park also features picnic areas, a playground, a pool, various sports fields (including a rugby field, which is unusual) and walking trails.
The skate park is quite challenging with down ramps, rails, and quarterpipes and is therefore suitable for experienced skaters. It features a durable, sound-dampened and textured steel roller surface.
Best park in Dallas for flora
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Location: 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
Size: 66 acres
Top attraction: The flora
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily
Parking: Free for members. $15 per car when purchased at the ticket booth or $11 if pre-purchased online
Perched on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake to the northeast of downtown is the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
This park features 66 acres of finely manicured gardens that are nationally acclaimed, making it a popular destination for tourists and local residents alike.
Here, you can lose yourself in seasonal flower and plant displays. There’s also plenty for the kids to do, with an eight-acre, interactive children’s garden that has cascading waterfalls, a treetop canopy walk and a two-story tree house, as well as educational programs.
The park hosts public events, such as art shows, outdoor concerts and seasonal festivals. In the springtime, it hosts Dallas Blooms, the largest floral festival in the Southwest.
The entrance fee to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is currently $20 for adults and $12 for children aged 2-12 but discounts are available at certain times of year and for seniors all year round.
Best park in Dallas for the fauna
Location: 6500 S Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX 75217
Size: 120 acres
Top attraction: Birdwatching
Hours: 8/9 am to 3 pm but closed on Mondays & Tuesdays
Parking: Available on-site in the parking lot
The 120-acre Trinity River Audubon Center is located just 10 miles southeast of downtown Dallas on a former illegal dump site. It forms part of the City of Dallas-Trinity River Corridor Project, which has helped to reclaim the area since 2008 and turned it into a metropolitan reserve for birds and other wildlife.
The Trinity River Audubon Center is, therefore, more than a park. It’s a nature preserve and environmental education center. The nearby Great Trinity Forest is a 6,000-acre stretch that is the largest urban bottomland hardwood forest in North America.
A wide variety of wildlife and many species of birds (over 60 and counting) can be viewed from the five miles of hiking trails through forests, prairies and wetlands. Plenty of fine picnic areas, a discovery garden for children, a state-of-the-art visitor’s center and seasonal activities ensure that families can make a day of their visit.
Entry to the Trinity River Audubon Center is currently free of charge.
Looking for a “family park” in your backyard?
Many of the best public parks in Dallas are a short drive away for families looking for some fresh air, exercise and fun. Whatever your preferences, each of the above 15 Dallas parks is definitely worth a visit.
If you’re looking for a picnic lawn, playground, dog run, putting green, sports field or other piece of greenery a little closer to home, why not adapt your backyard for your family’s requirements?
Artificial grass has expanded the options for Dallas homeowners when it comes to recreation and relaxation at home. You can easily set up a synthetic grass haven for you and your family to escape the city noise.
Talk to an artificial grass professional at DFW Turf Solutions in Dallas.
