City: Dallas, TX

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (214) 670-8740

Address: 8300 East Lawther Dr.

Description: Six miles east of downtown, this natural haven brings the outdoors lovers to bike, cycle, and skate pretty much year-round. Nature fans arrive in droves on weekends, so be prepared for big crowds around the 1,015-acre lake, which happens to be a birding/wetlands site designated by the Audubon Society. Don’t be surprised if you come across some of the wildlife in quiet hours, as White Rock is home to squirrels, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, possums, bobcats, red foxes, minks, and more.While motorized boats are banned, there are plenty of sailing opportunities from the Corinthian Sailing Club and White Rock Boat Club. If Fido needs to come out and play, bring him to White Rock’s Mockingbird Point, a one-acre dog park on the northwestern shore, where he can go off-leash. Proof that Dallas has a quirky side is found in a special, unofficial attraction at White Rock. That’s the Free Advice Guys, two men who show up in nice weather on the lake’s western shore, near Jackson Point, to dispense free advice on whatever problems you want to share.Families gather at six playgrounds, including Tee Pee Hill. For picnics, check out shady areas with stone park tables, but be warned that kids come with skateboards to take over Flag Pole Hill, which has a great lake view. For a peaceful interlude, visit the Arboretum.There’s easy arrival with a DART White Rock Lake station at Northwest Highway and West Lawther Drive.