Exercise is an essential component of a healthy body and a healthy mind. Exercise improves heart health, boosts energy, and helps flush out negative feelings and emotions. Any exercise—whether indoors or out—is beneficial, but research suggests outdoor workouts can be even more beneficial.
Read about 10 benefits of outdoor exercise here.
Are you ready to get out of the gym and take your workout outside? Choosing a perfect outdoor workout spot might be tricky, especially if you’re used to indoor exercise. Here are some of the best spots for an outdoor workout in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Turtle Creek Trail
If you’re looking for scenic, Turtle Creek Trail has it all. This winding trail along Turtle Creek passes through parks, over bridges, and through wooded areas and foliage that are gorgeous any time of year. Turtle Creek Trail boasts 46 acres of open space to get your move on.
White Rock Lake
Perfect for walking, jogging, biking, or even rollerblading, the White Rock Lake Trail is a 9.3-mile loop with quick parking and numerous access points located around the lake. The Dallas skyline provides the perfect picturesque backdrop for this urban oasis.
Cedar Ridge Preserve
Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Dallas, Cedar Ridge Preserve on Belton Lake is 600-acres of nature, and nine miles of trails for hiking, walking, or jogging. When you’re done with your workout, cool off with a swim in the lake.
L.B. Houston Nature Trail
If it’s adventure you’re looking for, then L.B. Houston Nature Trail is the perfect spot for you! This 4.8-mile trail through woodlands and along streams and rivers is both challenging and beautiful. There are two sections of trail with a mix of hard and loose gravel. Take your bike off-road, or hit the trail for a hike or jog.
Katy Trail
Katy Trail is a 3.5-mile urban trail that runs right through the heart of Dallas. The trail features two paths, one 12-foot concrete path for skaters and bikers, and one 8-foot soft-surface path for walkers and joggers. The south head of the Katy Trail is near American Airlines Center downtown and the north head is near the Mockingbird DART station.
Trinity Trails
If you’re going for distance, head to Trinity Trails, a 20-mile network of crushed limestone trails along the Trinity River in Fort Worth. The most popular leg of the trail begins at Henderson Street Bridge and stretches eight miles to Bryant Irvin Road. Scenery along Trinity Trails includes the Trinity River, the Fort Worth Skyline, Rosewood Park, and the Colonial Country Club golf course.
River Legacy Parks
Beat the summer heat with a workout in this beautiful, wooded park. River Legacy Parks West Trail in Arlington is a relatively flat 10-mile trail, perfect for walking or jogging. To access River Legacy Parks West Trail, enter at 701 Northwest Green Oaks Blvd and head half a mile down Rose-Brown-May Parkway to Legacy Pavilion where you can park and enter the trail.
Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park is always busy, but with 5.2 acres of urban green space, it’s a great spot for a workout, especially if you live or work in downtown Dallas. Workout on your own, or join a group exercise class. Visit klydewarrenpark.org to check out the schedule of group workout classes including Tai Chi, yoga, and boot camp-style classes.
Whether you choose to exercise outside or prefer to stick to an indoor workout, the important thing is that you make physical activity part of your daily life, even if it is just 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there.
