Cedar Hill: Nature, Trails, and History

In Cedar Hill, nature, trails, water activities, and local history come together as distinct travel interests. You can decide which to focus on based on the landscape, the different routes, and the historic attractions.

Prairie and natural areas

Cedar Hill State Park protects remnants of endangered native tallgrass prairie. At Cedar Mountain Nature Preserve, a limestone escarpment meets Blackland Prairie; the preserve covers 110 acres. These are two different nature themes: prairie remnants in the state park and the transition between limestone terrain and Blackland Prairie at the preserve.

Compare trails by length and surface

Cedar Hill State Park has several hiking trails as well as a mountain biking trail network maintained by the Dallas Off-Road Biking Association. Cedar Ridge Preserve offers more than seven miles of hiking trails. At Cedar Mountain Nature Preserve, the two trails differ in surface and length: the paved trail is 0.3 miles long, while the natural-surface trail is 0.7 miles long. At Signature Park, a 1.4-mile paved trail is open to walkers, runners, and cyclists. The Balcones Trail is three miles long and paved with concrete; it runs along FM 1382 from New Clark Road to the city limits and highlights natural features of the Balcones Escarpment.

These details make it possible to compare the trail types: at Cedar Mountain Nature Preserve, you can choose a shorter paved trail or a longer natural-surface trail, while the Balcones Trail is a longer concrete route. Conditions, maintenance, and trail access at Cedar Mountain Nature Preserve may change; conditions on the Balcones Trail may also vary. Check these details before your visit.

Water activities in Cedar Hill

Boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking are available at Joe Pool Lake, which lies partly within Cedar Hill. The Lagoon Aquatic Center features a zero-entry pool, a separate swimming pool, a lazy river, a three-turn slide, and play features. The water activities described here differ: the lake offers a range of activities, while the aquatic center brings together specific pool and play features.

Historic Downtown and local history

A 1.5-mile self-guided tour is available in Historic Downtown Cedar Hill. The tour also leads to the two-story “Gingerbread House,” which is believed to be the oldest surviving building in Cedar Hill. The tour’s length can be compared with the trails in the natural areas, but its distinctive focus is the history of Historic Downtown. Route details may change, so check them before your walk.

The Penn Farm Agricultural History Center honors the vanishing Texas family farm. Reconstructed and historic buildings dating from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century can be found at the Penn Farm Agricultural Heritage Center. The Texas Fossil Box explores a different historical topic: it offers a hands-on learning experience about common fossils from the Cretaceous Period, 145 to 66 million years ago. The Cedar Hill Museum of History also features the “Plessy,” a long-necked plesiosaur. The Texas Fossil Box program and presentation, as well as the exhibit presentation, may change; check for the latest information before your visit.

Getting your bearings for the drive

Cedar Hill is right off Highway 67 and just a few minutes from I-20 and I-35. This is a general driving guide; traffic and travel times may change. Check the current route to your specific destination for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Addison, Seagoville, Mesquite, Irving, Garland, Grand Prairie, Farmers Branch, Dallas

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