Activity Overview
Elm Fork Nature Preserve is a beautiful nature area owned by the city of Carrollton, Texas, just 30 minutes away from Dallas. Located inside of the city's McInnish Park, Elm Fork Nature Preserve consists of 40 acres of undisturbed land that can be explored by walking along its many designated trails.
If your family is looking for outdoor activities to do in the Dallas area, consider hiking at Elm Fork Nature Preserve! Its well-maintained trails are the perfect place for visitors of all ages to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Things to Do
- Go on a family nature hike on one of the trails. It is suggested that you wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and bring along a water bottle and insect repellent.
- Make a list of all the wildlife you and your children see. Animals commonly seen in the nature preserve include fox squirrels, nine-banded armadillos, striped skunks, raccoons, opossums, beavers, and eastern cottontails!
- Use some binoculars to search the skies for majestic birds such as great blue herons, screech owls, snowy egrets, woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks, and great horned owls.
Elm Fork Nature Preserve Insider Tips
- Take an environmental education course with your family to learn all about the fascinating wildlife that inhabits Elm Fork Nature Preserve.
- Bring along a picnic to enjoy on a nice summer day. If you don't want to eat on the trails then head out to the area of McInnish Park north of Sandy Lake, where there are plenty of picnic tables and grills available for public use.
- Visit the rest of McInnish Park, the 220-acre park that is home to the Elm Fork Nature Preserve. It has 27 sports fields for playing soccer, baseball, and softball, two playgrounds, and a lake where visitors can use RC boats and go fishing.
