46. Bad Konigshofen Outdoor Family Aquatic Center
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (817) 459-5223
Description: Among the newest public pools in the Fort Worth area, this grand water play place has a shallow-water play pool, four-lane swim pool, diving board, water slides, pavilions, and showers. You can take swimming lessons here, too.
47. Tcu Pool
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Texas Christian University’s outdoor pool is open in summer to members and guests. The indoor pool is open at certain hours, depending on the TCU swim team schedule. Ask about family swimming lessons.
48. Acton State Historic Site
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (512) 463-7948
Address: 30 miles southwest of Fort Worth
Description: A former state park, this tiny park in northeast Hood County is the burial ground of Elizabeth Crockett, Davy’s second wife. It’s pretty in spring when bluebonnets cover the site. Her monument is touching, as she appears to be looking into the distance, waiting for him to return from the Alamo.
49. Cedar Hill State Park
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (972) 291-3900
Address: 1570 West FR 1382
Description: A favorite for mountain bikers, this park has 15 miles of biking trails built by the Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association. Occupying the site of a 19th-century farm, the park holds several restored buildings that re-create the Penn Farm farmstead. The park has 300 acres with walk-in campsites and 10 boat ramps giving you access the 7,500 Joe Pool Lake.
50. Cleburne State Park
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (817) 645-4215
Address: 60 miles south of Fort Worth
Description: A 500-acre state park with camping, hiking-and-biking trails, fishing, boat rentals, and a park store offers an easy escape from the city.
51. Dinosaur Valley State Park
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (254) 897-4588
Address: 64 miles southwest of Fort Worth
Description: Immensely popular with kids and adults alike, this park became famous when dinosaur footprints were discovered in the Paluxy riverbed rock some years ago. A replica of the prints is in an exhibit, along with dinosaurs donated. There are wonderful hiking trails in this wooded, rolling parkland.
52. Lake Mineral Wells State Park
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (940) 328-1171
Address: 46 miles west of Fort Worth
Description: A favorite destination for rock climbing and rappelling on cliffs, this pretty park on a 646-acre lake provides a hilly, forested setting that’s surprisingly serene. There are more than 100 picnic sites, access to a 20-mile-long trailway for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as assorted programs, such as cowboy poetry and stargazing.
53. Lake Tawakoni State Park
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (903) 560-7123
Address: 10822 FR 2475
Description: Among newer parks in the state system, this 376-acre reserve lies on the eastern shore of the 36,700-acre lake, popular for fishing, waterskiing, and camping. You’ll find 78 campsites, 40 picnic areas, and more than 5 miles of hiking trails, along with 40 acres of native prairie grasslands, good for trying to spot some 130 species of birds noted here.
54. Lake Whitney State Park
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (254) 694-3793
Address: 72 miles south of Fort Worth
Description: A fabulous fishing lake boasts a 1,315-acre park on its north shore, where you can camp, rent screened shelters, hike, and swim. There’s even an airstrip, so fly on in.
55. Meridian State Park
City: Dallas, TX
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (254) 435-2536
Address: 72 miles south of Fort Worth
Description: A beautiful and well-kept secret, this woodsy, 500-acre park sits on a 72-acre lake loved by those trying to catch catfish, bass, and crappie. Birding and hiking are popular, particularly on hidden limestone ledges overlooking the water. Camping and picnicking are fine here.