FunKidsActivities

Big Cedar Wilderness Trail

8991-8999 Isom Ln, Dallas, TX 75249, USA

Overview

Category:Hiking with Kids
Location:Dallas, TX

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Big Cedar Wilderness Trail is a premier destination in North Texas for mountain biking and hiking, highly praised for its challenging, well-maintained trails with significant elevation and technical descents. It caters to a range of skill levels, from beginner to advanced, and offers excellent amenities like a new pavilion, showers, and bathrooms, all supported by a local church.

Key Highlights

  • One of the best mountain biking trails in DFW/North Texas, lauded as 'the best trails'.
  • Trails are exceptionally well maintained and clearly marked with extensive signage.
  • Offers diverse features and designated trails for all skill levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
  • Provides significant elevation and challenging technical descents, offering rewarding experiences for experienced riders.
  • Features a new pavilion with amenities including showers, bathrooms, and a shaded gathering area with surprising views.

Standout Features

  • Multiple trail difficulty levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) ensure options for various family members.
  • Exceptional trail maintenance and clear signage make navigation easy.
  • Brand new pavilion offering showers and bathrooms for post-ride cleanup.
  • Shaded gathering area within the pavilion provides a rest spot with good views.
  • Access provided by a local church, contributing to a community feel.

Perfect For

Likely suitable for older children and teens (e.g., 10+ years) who have experience with mountain biking or are looking for a physical challenge, especially on beginner or intermediate trails.
Not recommended for toddlers or young elementary school children (e.g., under 8-10 years) due to the overall demanding nature, significant elevation, and technical aspects described.
Beginner trails might offer an entry point for slightly younger, active kids, but the overall theme is challenging.

Ideal For

Families with experienced mountain bikers or active teens seeking challenging trails with varied terrain.
Individuals or families looking for a vigorous outdoor workout via hiking or mountain biking.
Cross-country riders seeking high-quality, well-maintained trails in the DFW area.
Parents who appreciate good amenities (showers, bathrooms) after an strenuous activity.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Parents and older kids should be prepared for a physically demanding experience, including significant climbing and technical descents.
  • Bring plenty of water, as the trails will 'test' your legs and require 'focus'.
  • Consider donating to the church that provides access and maintains the trails.
  • Be mindful of weather conditions; trails can be tough after rain or hail, as noted in one review.

Things to Consider

  • Many sections of the trail are described as 'very tough', 'will be tested', 'legs will wish to mutiny', requiring 'climbing legs' and 'focus' due to significant elevation and technical descents, making it unsuitable for very young children or casual, low-effort outings.
  • Primarily geared towards 'cross-country riding' and mountain biking, which may not appeal to families seeking flat, easy walking paths.

Price & Value

Access to the trails is free, but reviews strongly encourage and appreciate donations to the church that provides the property and maintains the trails, along with amenities like the pavilion, showers, and bathrooms. This offers excellent value given the high quality and amenities provided.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accommodations for wheelchairs or sensory needs are mentioned in the reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • No information regarding outside food or on-site food sales is provided in the reviews.

🚗Parking Info

  • No specific details on parking availability or cost are mentioned, but the presence of a pavilion and amenities implies established parking facilities.

👥Crowd Levels

  • No information regarding crowd levels is provided in the reviews.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Trails are described as 'well maintained' and 'well marked' with 'lots of signage', contributing to user safety and navigation.

When to Avoid

  • Families with young children (under 8-10 years old) or toddlers expecting easy, flat, or paved walking paths.
  • Individuals seeking a casual, low-impact stroll or bike ride, as many sections are demanding.
  • If you are new to biking and not comfortable with varied terrain, elevation changes, or technical descents, unless you stick strictly to confirmed beginner trails.

Pricing/Package/Events

What People Say

What's Great

  • Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 4 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Salvador Solis

Salvador Solis

a month ago

My first time on these trails and right after hail and rain. A very tough 11 mile race. I'm glad to have experienced it.

Roberto Renteria

Roberto Renteria

4 weeks ago

Awesome place! 🌳☀️🚲🥾 Perfect for biking & hiking 💯

Nor Cal BMXICAN

Nor Cal BMXICAN

3 months ago

These trails are definitely more for cross-country riding. They're really nice trails and well marked.

Chris Chastain

Chris Chastain

4 years ago

Amazing trail for mountain biking! It is so well maintained and there are lots of different features. Not to difficult to navigate as there is lots of signage. Enjoyable for riders of all skill levels as there are beginner trails, intermediate, and advanced. One of the best trails in all of DFW for sure.

Justin Ward

Justin Ward

5 years ago

Simply put, the best trails in North Texas. You will be tested. Your legs will wish to mutiny. Your attention will be required. Bring your climbing legs and your focus. The technical descents will require it. The climbing will make you earn the downhill rewards. You will see significant elevation while riding here. You week have sine truly fun downhill sections as a gift for your efforts. You will love it. The new pavilion is such a gift. Amazing that the Church gives so much back to the mountain bike community, on top of allowing us the truly great priviledge of access to the trails on the property. Showers, bathrooms, a place to gather in the shade with surprisingly amazing views. Once you've been, you'll go ride these trails again and again. Be sure to donate some funds to the church to keep access, and to thank them for all that they've done for mountain biking in North Texas.

Contact Information

8991-8999 Isom Ln, Dallas, TX 75249, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 – 8:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.7
Total Reviews324
Recent Reviews5