6 Parks in Dallas That Feel Out of This World

Looking for the best parks in Dallas?

Well these six parks will blow you away.

Your first thought when someone brings up Dallas probably has nothing to do with the nature here.

Food, shopping, sure.

But nature is reserved for the Texas Hill Country- or better yet- coastal cities and mountain towns.

Being a travel blogger based in Dallas, I was pretty desperate to find magical parks here that would fill my need for nature.

Fast forward a few years and I feel like I’ve accumulated a pretty great list of parks in Dallas that make me feel like I’m on a trip to somewhere new.

Most parks in Dallas are green, grassy spaces.

Their appearances are less than stellar- hanging around on a plot of grass that is considered a park doesn’t do it for me.

Sure, some might have features that make them stand out more than other.

Some have water- a lake, creek, or fountain. While others have statues, benches, and playgrounds.

But none make you feel like you’ve gone on a trip outside of Texas like these parks do!

Without further ado, here are six parks in Dallas that will transport you to another world!

1. Lakeside Park

Lakeside Park is by far my favorite park, and not just because that’s where my husband proposed to me.

When you’re not walking on a perfectly manicured lawn or immaculate bridge, there are areas of the park that have a raw beauty that you wouldn’t believe.

There’s a stunning mansion and gazebo across the pond (on private land) that look like you’re in the English countryside in a Jane Austen novel.

A bridge takes you to an area with gigantic stone teddy bears- which make you feel like you’re in a children’s book.

And if you go south behind the bridge and follow the dirt trail down into a thicket of trees, there is a dam-created waterfall.

The waters feed into a place with beautiful rocks, still water, and vivid, lush green trees.

Check out my post on Lakeside Park, one of the Turtle Creek parks, for more details!

2. Flippen Park

This small park is located in Highland Park, and what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty.

The most notable parts of Flippen Park are the gorgeous gazebo and landscaping.

Even though it is surrounded by houses (gorgeous houses, to be specific), you still feel like you’ve stumbled upon a little oasis of a park here.

See more stunning photos of Flippen Park and learn more about it here!

3. Cedar Ridge Preserve

If you’re looking for a place to hike and escape the city, Cedar Ridge Preserve is ideal.

My favorite spot is Cattail Pond, pictured in the photos above.

Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for a gorgeous mirror lake effect on the pond!

And as you hike down to Cattail Pond, you’ll get a great view of the hills that make up a part of the preserve.

Hill in Dallas? Yup, you read that right!

4. Cole Park and the Parks Around Turtle Creek

​​Turtle Creek runs longer than you would think, and there are plenty of parks that take advantage of its pretty flowing water.

These parks are great for a jog or picnic. Filled with green trees and lining a creek, you’ve got a great mix of water and nature.

And since the creek runs all the way from the Dallas Country Club to Downtown Dallas, you can get a nice long walk in if you so choose.

But what makes it feel out of this world is the circular drain at Cole Park.

As ugly as a drain might sound, this one was engineered to be beautiful!

You can see it in the first photo above!

Read more about Turtle Creek Parks here!

5. White Rock Lake

White Rock Lake is more than just a park- it’s a whole park system that surrounds different areas of White Rock Lake.

My favorite area is by Boy Scout Hill and the docks just below.

The lake is huge has picturesque sailboats in the spring and summer- not something you might expect just a few miles away from downtown Dallas.

And the best things for photos are the fluffy white flowers that show up in May and June, and the picture-perfect docks on the water.

Learn about what there is to do at White Rock Lake here!

6. Lynn Creek Park

Hold up. Sand in Dallas??

Oh yes, it exists!

Well- about thirty minutes outside of Dallas in Grand Prairie.

But the drive is worth it to go to the only park with sand and swimming near Dallas.

Lynn Creek Park has a sandy beach right along Joe Pool Lake.

It has an entry fee of $15 per car ($20 on holidays) with a max of 6 people in one car, and you’ll want to go at a time when it’s less crowded.

There is a lot to do around Lynn Creek Park- read about it here!

In conclusion…

There you have it!

Do you know of any other parks in Dallas that seem out of this world? Share them below!

Happy exploring!

Jasmine