Six thousand acres of bottomland hardwood forest sit on the south side of Dallas, and most visitors never find out. The Audubon Center is the front door to it, and it is the closest proper outdoors to the house.
Five miles of trail run through wetland, prairie and forest. Crucially, a good portion of it is flat boardwalk over the water rather than rough ground, so it works for a group that includes someone who cannot manage a hike. Herons, egrets and turtles are routine sightings. Bring binoculars if you have them; the centre lends some at the desk.
The land was an illegal dump until the early 2000s. It was cleaned up, replanted and reopened as this. Worth telling the children — it is a better story than most nature reserves have.
Go early morning for wildlife and for shade, particularly June to September when the middle of the day is unforgiving. Autumn and spring are the best months overall. Closed Mondays. Allow two hours, wear proper shoes, and take water — the loop is longer than it looks on the map.
