Cedar Hill State Park

Trail
4.50 Miles
N/A
$5.00
2stars (2.46)19
1point5stars (1.69)
2point5stars (2.97)
N/A
Yes
N/A
N/A
1570 W. F.M. 1382
Cedar Hill
Dallas
More Info
Photos
Beaver Dam near Dorba Trail
On Baggett Branch off an old Dorba trail near lake (Photo by CedrHillr)
Joe Pool Lake shore
Off the Dorba trail (Photo by CedrHillr)
Joe Pool Lake shore
Near Dorba Trail (Photo by CedrHillr)
Log Entries
Good and not so much
By True10 on 8/1/2011
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4point5stars
Distance: 9.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Duck Pond and Talala were below average trails at best and the views were not very good. The 3 mi. DORBA trail was great and had views to match. The trail was clearly marked and fun to hike. The Overlook has a great view of Joe Pool Lake and some interesting off the path views. Need to get to the longer DORBA trails time permitting.

By D.Sirius60 on 8/8/2009
Rating: 2stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 8.00 Miles Duration: N/A

The difficulty rating is inflated because it was 102 degrees the day we went, took the 8 mile loop, flat, open, the only other person there when we finished was a tri-athlete working on his trail running, best use for trails is, of course, biking; that is what it is designed for.  Good for trail running also.  For similiar experience without bikes go to Cedar Ridge Preserve. 

Good beginners hike
By peternintzel on 4/4/2009
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Took the Duck Pond trail. Was a wooded trail with lot's of cedar trees lining the path. Many cacti.

Duck Pond/Talala Trail
By ddurante on 10/18/2008
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 4.50 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 50 minutes

We started out at Duck Pond, There was some slight elevation along the trail, which was nice but wish there was more.  We found a small water fall on a creek just off the main trail, this was more enjoyable than the pond itself.  We circled around to the connecting trail and crossed over to Talala.  It was a busy weekend for campers, although we only encountered a few people actually on the trail.  We hiked up half of Talala and then back tracked to the sceninc point overlooking the lake.  We came back across S Spine Rd and hit the scenic point on the other side, then back down Duck Pond Trail and to the truck.  This was an enjoyable hike and its close to the house.  We plan on further exploring the lakes trails.  It was approx. 78' and felt nice and cool along the trail, A perfect day for hiking.

Duck Pond Trail
By CedrHillr on 10/12/2008
Rating: 2stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: 1 minute

I took my two little ones.  They did well on this.  Unfortunately one of my kids got too close to the pond, (no ducks but some minnows, frogs, and turtles), and got black mud on her  shoes.  Overall though this is a good little hike for little kids to enjoy the outdoors.  They liked the beach/ playground area in the park and nearby we found the ducks. 

Dorba Trail
By CedrHillr on 9/20/2008
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

I hiked the mountain bike trail, hikers go opposite direction as entrance sign points out.  Listen for Bikes coming up.  I've been to the other trails in park too.  Their nice but short.  The  trail goes right along Joe Pool Lake shore for a ways and cuts back into some woods and some small hills.  There is some mountain bikers but not bad.  I've gone before during the week and very few are on the trails providing some suprising solitude being so close to the metroplex.  Avoid the park for hiking after it rains due to the sticky and slippery mud.

By cnatnalva on 6/8/2008
Rating: 1star Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 10.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Very nice hike.  Most of the trails were over grown with weeds but manageable.  Nice solitude, didn't see anyone else on the trails.

Good Dallas County Trail
By jjnipp769 on 11/15/2006
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 3.50 Miles Duration: N/A
A nice easy trail that offers a couple of nice overlook views. Not a trail to hike if your looking for solitude or a challenge. Great for families with young children.
Good trails close to big city
By NUCLEUS.ONE on 8/15/2006
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 4.50 Miles Duration: 3 hours

Good trails that are close enough for day tripping. The outlooks on the map were either overgrown or not that good. Started on Duck Pond trail, then looped around to the connecting trail to Talala. Had to walk back to my truck along the road. There were only a few people walking their dogs on the trails as we went on a hot day. Campers were sparse as some of the sites were closed for renovations. Be sure check out the picnicking areas on the south side of the park along the lake (near the Dorba trail); it's great for wrapping up the afternoon with a great view.

Eh...
By MikeFornal on 5/22/2006
Rating: 1point5stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 4point5stars
Distance: 11.00 Miles Duration: N/A
I hiked through the Duck Pond trail, the connecting trail, and the Talala trail and back. The map said it was 5.5 miles out strung together. Didn't feel that long. The scenery is actually nicer on the road (1382) leading up to the park and on the roads in the park than in the actual trails. The maps absolutely suck as far as being able to tell which way you need to go. I made a turn on duck pond that split at the restroom out there and it apparently isn't even on the map. Ends up being about one leg wide and mostly grown in, not to mention swarming with bees(I HATE bees... and I'm pretty sure they had their nice little homes under the dirt of the trail). It ended up following to a "scenic outlook" - which was just a few pieces of wood set up like an outlook. The actual scenic part was missing. This place is good for a hike if you're a complete beginner and want something easy and don't mind not having a rewarding view anywhere.

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