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Spend the day or weekend at Cedar Hill State Park. Bring the whole family to hike, bike, picnic, camp, geocache, and observe nature.
Because the park is located on the shore of Joe Pool Lake, you can also swim, fish, boat, or paddle. For your next family reunion, rent one of our picnic pavilions. Camp in one of 350 developed campsites, all of which are close to restrooms with hot showers. All sites have water and electricity, and 150 also have sewer hookups. Several locations are ADA-compliant.
If the trails are open, you can also hike to a primitive campsite. Explore our trails on foot or by bike. The DORBA Trail, named after the Dallas Off Road Biking Association volunteers, spans 1,200 acres and is open to both bikers and hikers. When the trail is wet, it is closed, so call ahead to ensure it is open. Take a dip in the lake! We have a gravel swimming beach with picnic tables and grills nearby (no lifeguard on duty). Near the beach, there is a playground and restrooms. Before you go swimming, review our Swimming Safety Tips. Largemouth black bass, crappie, and catfish can be found in the 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake. We have two lighted fishing jetties as well as a perch pond for children. In addition, we have two four-lane boat ramps and lighted boat trailer parking. A fishing licence is not required to fish from the shore or pier in a state park.
A 25-acre agricultural history museum
Hiking and biking trails
Picnic areas by the lake
There are numerous fishing piers.
There are over 350 mostly wooded campsites.
A swimming pool
There are over 200 bird species.
Fishing and Water Sports.
Bait Store.
Internet Access via Wireless (Wi-Fi).
Between March and May is the best time to visit Cedar Hill State Park. Those are the ideal and average temperatures. As a result, you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dallas Southwest-Cedar Hill is an excellent choice for lodging near Cedar Hill State Park. It’s only a 6-minute drive from the park and a few short walks from downtown Dallas. You will have a comfortable stay with incredible amenities like a pool and a fitness centre. TownePlace Suites Dallas DeSoto is another option. This 3-star hotel has an indoor pool as well as suites with fully equipped kitchens. You can also use the fitness centre or the covered patio
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House is a worthy culinary experience near the park. The restaurant has been open since 1962. It offers a variety of chicken menus as well as vegetables, bread, and dessert. Sam’s Pizza, a legendary pizza restaurant, is another option. The restaurant has a family atmosphere and a large seating area. There are many families with children here. You can order not only pizza but also Italian dishes and a vegetarian menu.
Because Cedar Hill State Park is a popular destination, make Day Use Reservations in advance, especially on weekends and holidays. They do have a limited number of Walk Ups available, so if you can’t get a reservation, arrive early.
Dogs on leashes are permitted in the park and on the trails, but not on the swim beach or inside state park buildings.
Staying at this Arlington KOA is a genuine Texas treat in the heart of the country, with awesome attractions like Six Flags, Legoland, museums, and a plethora of natural areas like Cedar Hill State Park. Take a walk or rent a bike to explore the area’s trails. When you want to stay put, this campground has Wi-Fi, up to 50 amps of power, cable television, and sites for big rigs up to 102 feet long. Whether you prefer relaxation or adventure, a stay at this KOA will keep you comfortable in between your excursions into the Texas wilderness.
Shady Ridge Camping Area is the park’s northernmost and possibly most isolated camping area. Depending on your preferences, this could be a significant benefit. At each of the 75 campsites, there are water and electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings with grills. In the nearby area, guests will also find restrooms with showers. Site lengths vary greatly, so if you’re travelling with a large rig, make sure to carefully read the details before booking your site. The campground is open all year and reservations can be made up to five months in advance. Pets are permitted.
Eagle Ford Camping Area is the park’s most densely packed camping area, making it ideal for those who prefer to be close to their neighbours. Eagle Ford has 78 full-hookup campsites, some of which have 50-amp connections, while the majority have 20-amp or 30-amp connections. Guests will also find a picnic table and a fire ring at their campsite, as well as restrooms with showers nearby. Maximum vehicle allowances differ by site, so be aware of this before making a reservation. This pet-friendly campground is open all year and accepts reservations up to five months in advance.
Lake View Camping Area, which has 71 full-hookup sites, is one of the park’s most popular RV camping areas. Some sites provide 50-amp connections, while others provide 20- and 30-amp connections. Visitors to this popular campground will find a picnic table and a fire ring at their campsite, as well as restrooms and showers nearby. There is also a dump station and a large play area at this camping area. Swimming areas, picnic tables, fishing areas, and a boat launch are all nearby. Reservations can (and should) be made up to five months in advance if you want to stay at this popular campground. Maximum vehicle lengths vary by site, so make sure the site you’re interested in can accommodate your rig before making a reservation. The campground welcomes pets and is open all year.
The Hog Wallow Camping Area, located in the heart of Cedar Hill State Park, has 47 RV-friendly sites with electric and water hookups. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring, as well as a dump station, restrooms, and shower facilities nearby. This convenient campground is close to the Penn Farm Agricultural History Center, additional parking lots, and picnic areas with views of Joe Pool Lake. Maximum vehicle lengths differ by location, so double-check length restrictions before booking. This pet-friendly campground is open all year and accepts reservations up to five months in advance.
Coyote Crossing Camping Area is Cedar Hill’s southernmost RV-friendly campground, with the majority of the 75 sites directly on the lake. All sites include water, 20- and 30-amp electrical hookups, a picnic table, and a fire ring. There are two large restrooms with shower facilities, as well as numerous hiking trails and scenic overlooks nearby. The campground is pet-friendly and open all year, with reservations accepted up to five months in advance.
A 1.5-mile hiking-only loop trail leads to one of the park’s highest points. The trailhead has a parking area, making it simple to park the Sprinter nearby while hiking. A primitive campsite is also available near the overlook. This trail is moderately difficult, with some significant ups and downs as well as some overgrown sections, so hikers should come prepared with hiking boots and some experience. The terrain is varied, and the overlook provides a great view of the lake and its surroundings. Hikes led by rangers are also available. Showers, restrooms, and a compost toilet are all nearby. For the curious, Talala is a Cherokee word that means woodpecker, which you may encounter on your way to the overlook.
This multi-use trail is used by both mountain bikers and hikers. These trails, however, were designed by the Dallas Off-Road Bike Association and are primarily for bikers. Many people consider the DORBA trails to be the best in the state for mountain biking, so don’t be afraid to pack your mountain bikes in the Airstream. Remember that bikers go clockwise and hikers go counter-clockwise. Because the trails are very windy, this arrangement significantly reduces the number of accidents. Because there is little shade, the trail can get quite hot in the summer. The short loop is 2.5 miles long, the middle loop is seven miles long, and the outer loop is ten miles long. At the start of the short loop trail, there is a parking, picnic, and play area.
The park’s best fishing pond for kids is also a very relaxing place for adults. Small bass, catfish, and, of course, perch abound in the pond. Swimming fish and turtles are also available for viewing. There is no parking directly adjacent to Perch Pond, but the DORBA parking lot is only a short walk away down a paved road. Near the pond, there is also a restroom and a day-use area.
Those looking to make the most of their RV vacation should consider participating in one of Cedar Hill State Park’s many ranger programmes. Birding basics programmes, kid’s wilderness survival courses, programmes that teach about the local trees, self and ranger-guided hikes, and junior ranger programmes, to name a few, will appeal to campers of all ages. Check in at the park office or with a park ranger to find out what programmes are available during your visit.
Those looking to make the most of their RV vacation should consider participating in one of Cedar Hill State Park’s many ranger programmes. Birding basics programmes, kid’s wilderness survival courses, programmes that teach about the local trees, self and ranger-guided hikes, and junior ranger programmes, to name a few, will appeal to campers of all ages. Check in at the park office or with a park ranger to find out what programmes are available during your visit.
When visiting Cedar Hill State Park, don’t forget to bring your bathing suits in the campervan. During the hot summer months, the best way to cool off is to visit the beach with a designated swimming area on the north side of Joe Pool Lake. Okay, so it’s more like a sand belt made mostly of gravel. However, it is considered a beach in North Texas. Restrooms, barbecue grills, picnic areas, and a playground are all nearby. Those who prefer to spend their day on the water rather than the shores will find two boat launches in the park, one on the north end and one on the south end.
When you park your RV at Cedar Hill State Park, you might notice something unusual. Eleven strings of twelve solar panels generate thirty kilowatts of power while reducing CO2 emissions by the equivalent of 3,500 gallons of gasoline. Visitors can get a good view of the panels because they are slightly elevated. Twenty-five Texas state parks have solar panels in total, with the Cedar Hill array being one of the largest. The Parks and Wildlife Department hopes to switch to solar power entirely soon, as it helps keep the parks clean for all visitors.
Those looking to extend their journey through the park can take on the moderately difficult Plum Valley Trail. Hikers can start this one-mile route at either the primitive Duck Pond Primitive Camping Area or the developed Coyote Crossing RV Camping Area. The trail is also accessible via Duck Pond Trail and Talala Trail. The path concludes at the Plum Valley Overlook, which provides a beautiful view of the valley but not of the lake.
The park’s shortest trail is a 0.68-mile loop that runs from a parking area to the Duck Pond and back. The trail is quite wide, with small bridges carrying hikers over the rough spots. Duck Pond is on the outskirts of the park, so if your kids stay quiet (a big “if”), you might see deer and other wildlife come for a drink. A primitive camping area is also available near Duck Pond Trail.
Anglers who fish from a pier or a boat in Texas State Parks do not need a fishing licence. There are several well-lit shoreline fishing areas at Cedar Hill State Park. One is near Perch Pond, another near Penn Farm, and yet another near Lake View Camping Area. Bass, catfish, and perch are abundant in the lake. Catfish are typically found in shallow waters, whereas bass fish are typically found in deeper waters. Joe Pool Lake has some timber left over from when the lake was filled, and bass like to congregate there as well. Crappies are plentiful under the bridges, and catfish can be found in the lake’s channels.
Cedar Hill State Park is rich in history to be discovered. In 1854, John Anderson Penn and his family moved to this area. That was around the time when farm machinery began to replace horses and mules. On this land, the Penns also raised horses and cattle. As a result, the farmhouse and other structures provide excellent insight into life between roughly 1850 and 1950. Self-guided tours are available seven days a week, and guided tours can be booked in advance. A half-mile loop trail circles the complex, providing views of the remaining buildings from the past.
Level: Moderate.
Route length: 11.3 km, Elevation gain: 109 m, Route type: Loop.
Parking is $7 per day.
This 11.3-kilometer loop trail near Cedar Hill, Texas, is worth exploring. This moderately difficult route takes an average of 2 hours and 38 minutes to complete. You’ll almost certainly run into other people while exploring because this is a popular spot for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. The trail is open all year and is a lovely place to visit at any time of year. Dogs are welcome, but they must be kept on a leash.
Level: Easy
Adult (13+) entry is $7 per person.
Route length: 4.3 km, Elevation gain: 42 m ,Route type: Loop
Explore this 4.3-kilometer loop trail near Cedar Hill, Texas. It is generally regarded as an easy route, taking an average of 1 hour and 1 minute to complete. This is a popular hiking, mountain biking, and trail running area, so you’ll almost certainly run into other people while exploring.
1570 West FM 1382 Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Note: This is not the official Park website. However, it is an easy-to-use site, with everything you need to plan a trip.
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