Rowlett Nature Trail is a nice trail along the edge of Lake Ray Hubbard near Garland. My husband and I go here often on the weekends when we don't have time to go farther away from home. Our dogs love it too, as we're often the only people on the trail and they can run free.
It is not a true "wilderness experience," but still enjoyable, at 2.6 miles round-trip. A nice hour-long journey. The path is wide and covered in gravel and dirt, and is well-maintained by local boy scout groups.
The first third of the trail is through tall, beautiful trees. The second third is still in the forest, but is lined on one side by houses (extremely nice ones that are fun to look at). The final third has nice views of the lake. The trail then dead ends at private property and you must turn around and return they way you came. Overall, the path is easy to follow and not strenuous (no major ups and downs).
Last time we took the hike we saw two brown cotton-tail rabbits (cute), two grass snakes (not so cute), lots of monarch butterflies, a blue heron, a great egret, two longhorn cows, two turtles, two kayakers, and an old abandoned boat.
To reach the trail, go to the intersection of Centerville and Miller in Garland, Texas. Go east on Miller less than a mile, and turn left in to the parking lot at a sign that says "Rowlett Nature Trail." Near the trailhead is a place to fish from the bank or to put a small boat in to the lake.
See this site for other parks in the Rowlett area. There are a couple other trails, and some of the undeveloped park sites along the lake could be fun, too.
http://www.ci.rowlett.tx.us/Rowlett/Departments/Parks+and+Recreation/City+Parks+and+Trails/
It is not a true "wilderness experience," but still enjoyable, at 2.6 miles round-trip. A nice hour-long journey. The path is wide and covered in gravel and dirt, and is well-maintained by local boy scout groups.
The first third of the trail is through tall, beautiful trees. The second third is still in the forest, but is lined on one side by houses (extremely nice ones that are fun to look at). The final third has nice views of the lake. The trail then dead ends at private property and you must turn around and return they way you came. Overall, the path is easy to follow and not strenuous (no major ups and downs).
Last time we took the hike we saw two brown cotton-tail rabbits (cute), two grass snakes (not so cute), lots of monarch butterflies, a blue heron, a great egret, two longhorn cows, two turtles, two kayakers, and an old abandoned boat.
To reach the trail, go to the intersection of Centerville and Miller in Garland, Texas. Go east on Miller less than a mile, and turn left in to the parking lot at a sign that says "Rowlett Nature Trail." Near the trailhead is a place to fish from the bank or to put a small boat in to the lake.
See this site for other parks in the Rowlett area. There are a couple other trails, and some of the undeveloped park sites along the lake could be fun, too.
http://www.ci.rowlett.tx.us/Rowlett/Departments/Parks+and+Recreation/City+Parks+and+Trails/
Beaver dam on lake near trail
