Cedar Hill State Park over 1,800 acres of recreational space at Joe Pool Lake

Cedar Hill State Park is located in Cedar Hill, Texas. The park has over 1,800 acres of recreational space and the Joe Pool Lake which is 7,500 acres which results in a place for fishing, boating, camping, bird watching, biking, hiking or exploring the preserved natural habitats. The park has over 300 campsites, miles of biking and hiking trails and picnic areas with tables and barbeque grilles.

There are many options when camping at the park. There are 355 improved site and 30 primitive sites that can accommodate tens, pop up campers, RV's, pickup trucks with inserts and fifth wheels. Campsites are equipped with water, electricity, picnic table, lantern pole and fire ring. Majority of the sites are wooded with a shade shelter over the picnic tables. Bathroom facilities are located within walking distance of each campsite and have showers with hot water. Bathroom facilities are also located throughout the recreational areas of the park.

The primitive campsites are two large grassed areas to accommodate tent camping. One of the sites is access via the Talala Trail and the second is east of the main park road. There is only one centrally located outhouse bathroom in the primitive campsites.

There are four trails in Cedar Hill State Park. Dorba Trail is the largest trail in the park with three loops; the shortest trail is 2.5 miles, followed by 7 miles then 10+ miles. This trail can be used for biking and hiking and is considered the top mountain bike trail in the state. This trail is a dual use trail, bikers are to travel in a clockwise direction and hikers counter clockwise, hikers are to keep a look out for bikers.

At the north end of the park is Overlook Trail. This trail has a small creek crossing at the trails beginning, and then gains elevation towards the overlook. This is an easy to negate trail through woodlands up to the views of Joe Pool Lake.

Duck Pond trail is a half mile hiking trail that loops through a small open field, forest habitat and along Duck Pond. There is a small winding path over a creek and bridges along the way. This is an easy trail for all visitors.

Talala Trail winds through wooded areas, small gullies and open fields. This trail has some more challenges from the hills that the trail follows. This trail passes close to Joe Pool Lake but hikers will not catch any views of Joe Pool Lake. This trail has a range of habitats which results in a very diverse range of birds that reside in the park. This trail is blazed but at times the trail may be confusing with the dense vegetation that obscures the path.

To prevent erosion on the trails they will be closed to hikers during wet weather. There are common times throughout the year that this will happen, such as during the wet season. Dogs are allowed on the trails if they are on a lead at all times.

The park also has the Penn Farm Agricultural Centre where tours are offered for visitors to learn and farming in Texas. The self guided tour shows how farms were operated when the first European settler, John Penn, arrived and started farming in Texas and how farming has changed over the centuries.

A Wall Mart is located only three miles from the main entrance of the park so that if by chance visitors may have forgotten something from home.