There is hope for North Texans whose thermostats have all but burst from the sweltering summer heat. It’s called the fall, and it is signaled by cooler weather, incredible fall festivals throughout DFW, and the appearance of brightly colored foliage.
If you’re like me and excited to get outside this fall without having to wear a neck fan, keep reading to unlock the best places to see fall colors in Dallas for 2024:
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Location: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas, 75218
Entrance fee: $22 for adults; $13 for kids 2-12
Locals and tourists alike know that the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is one of the best places to see fall colors in Dallas.
Just minutes from downtown Dallas, the arboretum showcases the unique designs of over 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash. The vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows of the 150,000 fall plants make breathtaking backdrops for family photos.
Most notably, the Nancy Rutchik Red Maple Hill has over 80 varieties of Japanese maples in all their fall grandeur.
The arboretum is open daily, and all guests must purchase timed admission tickets online. Parking is $12 (online ahead of time) or $15 on-site.
White Rock Lake
Location: 8300 Garland Road, Dallas, TX, 75218
Entrance fee: Free
White Rock Lake is a 1,015-acre lake and park in the heart of the city, offering one of the best places to see fall colors in Dallas for 2024. Here, oaks burn bright red, while pecans and walnuts create a cool contrast of golden yellow.
Best enjoyed in mid-November, cyclists, runners, and walkers can roam the gorgeous fall colors along the nine-mile trail surrounding the lake. With dozens of picnic areas and wide open green spaces, you can even take it all in from the comfort of a blanket or hammock.
Cedar Hill State Park
Location: 1570 FM1382, Cedar Hill, TX, 75104
Entrance fee: $7 for adults; children 12 and under are free
Cedar Hill State Park offers some of the best places to see fall colors in Dallas, especially during its annual Harvest Heritage Festival. After touring the Penn Farm and enjoying historic demonstrations, explore the 1,200-acre park on either bike or foot.
The park’s roads offer scenic views of Joe Pool Lake, where you can also swim, fish, boat, or paddle. The fall foliage ofCedar Hill State Park provides scenes akin to those of the Texas Hill Country, so much so that you may forget you’re in Dallas!
Turtle Creek Park
Location: 3333 Turtle Creek Blvd. Dallas, TX, 75219
Entrance fee: Free
Just north of downtown Dallas and popular with walkers and runners, Turtle Creek Park is an oasis in the middle of the city.
In the park’s East Parcel, ginkgos show off brilliant fall colors, while the South Parcel features stunning live oaks. These 20 acres of natural beauty are filled with lush greenery, shaded paths, and bridges spanning a creek that flows through the park.
For the most vibrant views, visit Turtle Creek Park from mid-October through mid-November.
Oak Cliff Nature Preserve
Location: 2875 Pierce Street, Dallas, TX, 75233
Entrance fee: Free
A 121-acre refuge located in the middle of Dallas’s urban sprawl, Oak Cliff Nature Preserve is a hiker and biker’s paradise. With a blend of prairie and mixed hardwood forest areas, the preserve offers over 8 miles of multi-use trails filled with fall colors.
Hiking, mountain biking, and running are popular activities on the preserve’s 6.5-mile moderately challenging loop trail. The trail is open year-round but is best visited throughout the fall months.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Location: 6701 W Parker Rd, Plano, TX, 75093
Entrance fee: Free
Another fall must-visit is the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve.
This 200-acre preserve features a range of natural areas and trails. For those wanting a more challenging run or hike, the three miles of unpaved trails offer both prairie and forest views.
Don’t miss visiting the Observation Tower which gives you a panoramic view of the preserve’s beautiful fall foliage, an excellent place to see fall colors in Dallas for 2024.
Prairie Creek Park
Location: 2400 W Prairie Creek Dr, Richardson, TX, 75080
Entrance fee: Free
Hidden away in a quiet neighborhood, Prairie Creek Park is one of Richardson’s best-kept secrets. The 37-acre park features green belts, wooded walking trails, creekside views, and a scenic waterfall.
With plenty of picnic areas shaded by a canopy of trees, it’s easy to bring your family to enjoy the park’s beautiful fall colors. Venture across the two wooden pedestrian bridges, sit and enjoy the babbling creek, and stroll to the man-made waterfall.
Tip: Parking on West Prairie Creek Drive provides you with the best access to the park.
Bob Woodruff Park
Location: 2601 San Gabriel Drive, Plano, TX, 75074
Entrance fee: Free
Bob Woodruff Park and its neighbor, Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, combine to offer a continuous 10-mile trail where mature oak, elm, sycamore, and hackberry add up to a magical place to see fall colors in Dallas.
The park trail links together a pavilion with cooking grills, a playground, and a fishing pier. Surrounding a large pond, the looped concrete walkway provides ample room for walkers, runners, rollerbladers, and bikers to enjoy the park’s fall foliage together.
Visiting Bob Woodruff Park from mid-October to mid-November is best for experiencing the most vibrant seasonal colors.
River Legacy Parks
Location: 701 NW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX, 76006
Entrance fee: Free
Enjoy one of the best fall festivals in Dallas, surrounded by the fall scenery of River Legacy Park.
Rugged, natural beauty enables naturalists, joggers, and cyclists to enjoy this 1,300-acre park. As the park’s cottonwoods transform from green to yellow, the curves of the Trinity River become even more defined.
Over 8 miles of paved hiking and biking trails wind through the park, while the 10-mile mountain bike trail loop offers a variety of terrain. The River Legacy Trail East concludes at a viewpoint overlooking the Trinity River’s West Fork, making the 2-mile trek one of the best places to see fall colors in Dallas.
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Location: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107
Entrance fee: $15 for adults; $9 for children 6-15
The majestic Fort Worth Botanic Garden is home to more than 2,500 plants displayed across 23 specialty gardens, with the Japanese Garden being one of the best places to experience fiery reds, neon oranges, and bright yellows.
Fall colors start appearing in early November, just in time for their annual Fall Japanese Festival.
Highland Park
Location: 3 miles north of Dallas
Entrance fee: Free
Named for its prime location overlooking downtown, Highland Park’s private yards and public parks burst into color every fall. The notorious tree-lined streets offer a canopy for walkers and bikers, making a family drive around the neighborhood a treat.
Homes on Beverly Drive play second fiddle to the picture-worthy autumn colors that line the street. Visit Lakeside Park, which lies alongside Turtle Creek between Beverly Drive and Armstrong Parkway, a fantastic place to see fall colors within Dallas city limits.
Share Your Dallas Fall Fun with Us
Whether you’re looking for an easy drive or a place to hike, bike, or rollerblade, be sure to leave room in your fall calendar for a family (or solo) adventure to one of the top places to see fall colors in Dallas.
When you do, don’t forget to share your favorite(s) in the comments below!
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