William Blair Jr Park Trails

Over ten miles of trails wind through the thousand-acre William Blair Jr. Park in southeastern Dallas. This is a pawsome place to bring your dog when you want to get in touch with your wild side. Despite being located between freeways and near an industrial corridor, the park is mostly pristine wilderness. Beyond the small manicured section of William Blair Jr. Park, which includes standard features like sports facilities, mowed lawns, and picnic pavilions, you'll find one of the last undisturbed old growth forests in America.

The main trail leading to the river and preserved forest is the mile-long Texas Buckeye Trail. The trailhead is located at the end of Bexar Street just a short distance from the main park entrance. You'll find parking and signage marking the start of the trail there. You can also reach the trail by following other connecting trails in the park. Much of the Texas Buckeye Trail has been paved, making it more accessible than some of these linked paths. It ends at a stand of its namesake trees next to the Trinity River.

If you start with the Texas Buckeye Trail and want to extend your hike further than the two-mile round-trip trail, you can turn onto one of the soft-surface trails leading east. These unnamed trails are maintained at various levels. Some are wide dirt paths that are easy to follow, while others wind through heavy underbrush and are marked only by streamers of plastic tape tied to trees.

Notable landscape features include the Trinity River, White Rock Creek, and a small lake that has unofficially been dubbed "Bart Simpson Lake" due to its unusual shape. As you find your way to the water, note the majestic old trees towering overhead, including elm, pecan, buckeye, bur oak, and bois d'arc trees (also known as Osage orange or hedge apple trees).

If you want to discover one of Texas' wildest treasures, bring your dog with you to explore the beautiful trails and forests of William Blair Jr. Park.