Flower Mound Texas, has a surprisingly high level of access to nature for an area so close to the huge metropolis of Dallas-Ft. Worth.
Between two large lakes, and just south of Wichita Forest, we’d like to highlight these nature preserves you may not have visited.
Bob Jones Nature Center
Located, unsurprisingly, on Bob Jones Road, Bob Jones Nature Center entertains nature camps, classes, families, and individuals.
The educational center’s interior trails have access to exterior trails where horse riding is allowed, and connect to Grapewine Lake.
Visitors report all kinds of wildlife sightings, including deer, caterpillars and butterflies, turkeys, herons, rabbits, vultures, lizards, and more.
They have lectures on topics such as sustainability and conservation.
If you aren’t looking to nature watch or attend a lesson though, many report this as a good place to go just to relax someplace quiet.
LLELA Nature Preserve
On East Jones Street, you’ll find the entrance to LLELA Nature Preserve, a hands on nature center that has lots of activities as well as things to look at.
The center has a visitor center, hiking trails, camping, kayaking/canoeing, fishing, and more.
The reserve is beloved my Dallas-area residents and visitors alike, with over 450 reviews, most of them 5 stars.
The reserve has some really unique functions like a kayak paddling trail for younger kayakers, or the 2.1 mile Bittern Marsh Wetland Boardwalk Trail that takes hikers through a bottomland hardwood forest
The cost of entry is $5 per car.
Elm Fork Nature Preserve
Further south, toward Dallas proper, you’ll find Elm Fork Nature Preserve, on Sandy Lake Road in Carrolton.
Sandy Lake Road has access to the trail entrance, between McInnish Park and the RE Good Sports Complex,, and the trail has lots of foliage, and even lots of turtle sightings!
The trail is flat enough to do with a stroller if the weather has been dry, and is also recommended for jogging.
The area is small, but that makes is especially nice for family, because getting lost isn’t a big risk, and it’s easy to finish the trail in a short period of time.
Reviewers describe it as an “island of forest surrounded by city.”
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
With over 3,000 reviews on Google, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve on the edge of nearby Plano, Texas is a short trip away from Flower Mound, and well worth a short trip.
This 200 acre park has trails to walk and observe nature, a playground for the kids, a picnic pavilion, and full restroom facilities.
The paved trails are smooth enough for strollers or rollerblading, but there are unpaved trails too for a more natural hiking experience.
The main trail, Arbor Hills Trail, makes a large loop, starting at Parker Road, and looping out to almost touch Thousand Oaks at Austin Ranch.
The trails are also well labeled, and the preserve is easy to navigate, despite its large size.
The preserve boasts several terrains, hilly areas, prairie scenes, and forested walks.
Reported wildlife includes rabbits, spiders, scorpions, turtles, fish, birds, and even a few snakes, especially near the creeks, so dog walkers, be alert when your pets wander near the water.
Speaking of dog walking, doggy bags are provided along the concrete trails in this nature preserve.
John F. Burke Nature Center
On Valley Lane, over in Farmer’s Branch, you’ll find John F. Burke Nature Center.
With a 4.6 star rating on Google, locals and visitors alike love to use this area for nature walks and trail running.
Visitors boast that all the focal points are natural, rather than man-made, and the area is secluded enough that bobcats and coyotes have even been spotted when things are quiet, so be careful.
The trails are well kept and well labeled, and signs and maps are posted about.
Local guides estimate that it takes about 1 hour to stroll the main path, but if you’re not up to a full hour non-stop, there are benches along the way.
The creeks and trees are picturesque, almost enough to make you forget that a little noise from the highway leaks through.
The area has lots of interesting local plants, which include Eve’s Necklace, Bushy Bluestem, Cedar Elm, Bur Oak, Catbrier, Soapberry, Goldenrod, Roughleaf Dogwood, Poison Ivy (look out!), and Green Ash. There’s even a sign with pictures, so you’ll know them when you see them.
Directions from Texas Health Harris Methodist to Bricolage Behavioral Health
Get on I-30 E from S Henderson St
4 min (0.8 mi)
Head south on 5th Ave toward Cooper St
331 ft
Turn left onto Cooper St
344 ft
Turn left onto S Henderson St
0.4 mi
Turn left to merge onto I-30 E
0.3 mi
Take TX-121 N, Texas 121 TEXpress/Texas 183 TEXpress and TX-121 N to FM2499 in Grapevine. Take the Grapevine Mills Pkwy exit from TX-121
26 min (27.6 mi)
Merge onto I-30 E
0.5 mi
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 15A for I-35W N toward US-377 N/Denton
0.6 mi
Keep right at the fork and merge onto I-35W N/US-377 N
1.0 mi
Continue onto I-35W N/US-377 N
128 ft
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 52B to merge onto TX-121 N toward D/FW Airport
7.1 mi
Merge onto I-820 N/TX-121 N
1.0 mi
Use the left lane to take exit 23 A for Hwy 121/Texas 183
1.0 mi
Merge onto Texas 121 TEXpress/Texas 183 TEXpress
Toll road
4.4 mi
Take the TX-121 N exit toward D.F.W. Airport/N Entry
0.5 mi
Continue onto TX-121 N
5.5 mi
Keep left to stay on TX-121 N
3.0 mi
Use the left 2 lanes to keep left at the fork and continue on TX-121
0.6 mi
Keep left to stay on TX-121
1.5 mi
Use the right 2 lanes to take the Grapevine Mills Pkwy exit toward Flower Mound
1.0 mi
Continue onto FM2499
Street View
8 min (5.4 mi)
Bricolage Behavioral Health
3204 Long Prairie Rd Suite A, Flower Mound, TX 75022