Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Grand Prairie

"On the shores of White Rock Lake, this gorgeous 66-acre arboretum showcases plants and flowers in theme gardens such as the Sunken Garden and the Woman’s Garden. Expect to see a lot of wedding parties posing for pictures amid the posies. During the spring wildflower season it gets so mobbed that nearby streets are closed."

"Along the shores of White Rock Lake, explore a 66-acre garden with rainbow-colored blooms throughout the seasons. Each garden feels like a unique room that flows into another. The Sunken Garden is a favorite."

"The Dallas Arboretum is one of my go-to places when finding a photo spot. And this reflecting pool is definitely my favorite spot at the Arboretum!"

"Situated at the heart of Dallas, USA, is this piece of urban green, Klyde Warren Park. It is constructed above Woodall Rodgers Freeway and is a unique example of modern architecture. It is a public park with free entry that hosts many fitness and leisure activities, has signature food trucks, and is a heaven for dog lovers."

"Spend the rest of the morning exploring Klyde Warren Park and the Dallas Arts District (thedallasartsdistrict.org) at your leisure. The Arts District has the city's leading visual and performing arts venues. Impressive collections are always held at the Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Centre."

"Bridging Uptown and Downtown Dallas, the Klyde Warren Park offers five acres to roam. Perched above the Woodall Rogers Freeway, find a green spacewithlive music and lawn games. FInd food trucks on the side so grab a bite."

"As a slice of hill country in North Texas, Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve has plenty of options for great hiking (as featured in D Magazine) among its 600 acres of natural habitat. The best of these may be Escarpment Trail, a beautiful 2.5-mile roundtrip hike that ends at Cattail Pond. On this moderate trail, you’ll see native trees, grasses and wildflowers."

"You've heard the saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Well, before this 120-acre nature preserve and environmental education center opened in 2008, the area was home to the largest illegal dumping site in the state. Nowadays, the center (located ten miles south of downtown) serves as a gateway to the 6,000-acre Great Trinity Forest, the largest urban bottomland hardwood forest in North America. The area is home to a variety of wildlife and over sixty species of birds which can be viewed along five miles of hiking trails that meander through forests, Blackland prairies and thriving wetlands."

"Trinity Audubon Nature Center lit up at night|© Jeremy Woodhouse / Courtesy of Trinity River Audubon Center. Opened in 2008 along the banks of the Trinity River, this center is at the entry of the 6,000-acre Great Trinity Forest. The Trinity River Audubon Center offers each of its visitors a chance to discover miles of trails that feature local birds, vegetation, and wildlife and features public programs like guided hikes, bird watching classes, and the chance to learn more about the four breeds of owls that are native to Dallas."

"Go au naturel at this haven for hikes, forest and prairie land, bird-watching, and the perfect Insta shot. The center itself is also a structural beauty for your background."

"Another open space surprisingly close to Downtown Dallas is this state park protecting a tract of old farmland, on rocky limestone slopes, parcels of prairie and the east shore of the 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake. You can get acquainted with this land’s past at the Penn Farm Agricultural History Center, touring reconstructed and original farm buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Dallas Off-Road Bike Association (DORBA) has drawn up a 12-mile trail through the park, made up of three concentric routes ranging from 3 to 12 miles long."

"Just 10 miles from the metroplex, directly southeast of Fort Worth, Cedar Hill State Park offers a peaceful respite from the chaotic hustle and bustle of the city. The park has 350 campsites, hundreds of picnic tables and barbecue grills, miles of hike-and-bike trails, the Joe Pool Marina, and preserved natural habitats that support a wide range of local flora and fauna. Visitors can also tour the Penn Farm Agricultural History Center, which offers a glimpse into what Texan farm life was like a century ago."

"A former farm, Cedar Hill State Park provides activities on land and in the water. It’s one of the top points of interest for fun for visitors of all ages. Should you feel like roughing it, there are campsites available at Cedar Hill State Park."

"The River Legacy Park is located on the side of the Trinity River. You’ll find beautiful views at every turn and it’s the perfect spot for a nice stroll in the park, bird watching, outdoor exercising, meditating, or just taking a day to relax in a gorgeous atmosphere. You’ll also find some other great activities like their River Legacy Fall Festival, clay shooting, cardboard boat regatta, and more."

"Besides the Texas Boardwalk, an outdoor living classroom with whispering tubes, hollow logs, and interactive question boards for kids, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden has 16 exhibits and gardens that are filled with cherry trees, roses, oak trees, sculptures, streams, fountains and more. The indoor garden area, which is near the entrance, has tropical plants and flowers that bloom almost year round. Be sure to buy fish food at the front desk before you make your way to the highlight of the Botanic Garden—The Japanese Garden."

"As the oldest major botanic garden in Texas, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is a must-visit for romantic, floral photography. The gazebos in the Fuller Garden and Rose Garden are gorgeous spots for photo ops. Bringing a little one with you as you search out Forth Worth photography locations?"

"I can’t speak for every kid but my three girls love the Botanic Gardens. We can spend hours walking through the beautiful gardens. For many visitors the Japanese garden is a highlight."

"You've heard the saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Well, before this 120-acre nature preserve and environmental education center opened in 2008, the area was home to the largest illegal dumping site in the state. Nowadays, the center (located ten miles south of downtown) serves as a gateway to the 6,000-acre Great Trinity Forest, the largest urban bottomland hardwood forest in North America. The area is home to a variety of wildlife and over sixty species of birds which can be viewed along five miles of hiking trails that meander through forests, Blackland prairies and thriving wetlands."

"Trinity Audubon Nature Center lit up at night|© Jeremy Woodhouse / Courtesy of Trinity River Audubon Center. Opened in 2008 along the banks of the Trinity River, this center is at the entry of the 6,000-acre Great Trinity Forest. The Trinity River Audubon Center offers each of its visitors a chance to discover miles of trails that feature local birds, vegetation, and wildlife and features public programs like guided hikes, bird watching classes, and the chance to learn more about the four breeds of owls that are native to Dallas."

"Go au naturel at this haven for hikes, forest and prairie land, bird-watching, and the perfect Insta shot. The center itself is also a structural beauty for your background."

"Aside from their admirable mission, Howdy Homemade churns out excellent ice creams that are made in-house every day. The Dr. Pepper chocolate chip ice cream is the first of its kind, and it’s a pretty amazing flavor combination. Avocado-lime, fruit punch, sweet tea, and classic vanilla are also available."

"This University Park modern ice cream parlor is known for its awesome tasting ice cream, as well as for employing people with special needs. An overall feel good ice cream shop, Howdy serves about 36 ice cream flavors and six sorbets. The most popular is the Dr Pepper Chocolate Chip."

"Despite lines snaking around the TV-famous bakery nearby, SusieCakes is the new Preston Center bakery that people should be excited about. The California implant specializes in classic cakes made with no artificial preservatives or high-fructose corn syrup. Don't leave without trying SusieCakes' flagship sweet: the Vanilla Celebration Cake, a six-layer vanilla cake flecked with sugar confetti."

"It is in a convenient location located in the heart of downtown and makes getting brunch an easy thing to do. They are mainly open during the mornings to afternoon and offers an extensive menu for you to select from. Their breakfast menu features many of the classic breakfast foods you can find in most breakfast restaurants like oats, avocado toast, buttermilk pancakes, chilaquiles, omelets and more."

"With traditional offerings as well as some local favorites, we take our favorite meal of the day seriously. Don't forget to bring your appetite!"