Top DFW Trails for 5K, 10K & Half Marathon Training

Checkout our top 10 recommendation trails for getting you race day ready.

1. White Rock Lake Park

Best for: Half marathon training, long runs, race pace workouts

• Distance: 9.3-mile paved loop (easy to shorten or extend)
• Surface: Concrete
• Elevation: Mostly flat with gentle rollers
• Shade: Moderate
• Restrooms: Yes
• Water Fountains: Yes

This is the home of Too Hot To Handle, making it the ideal place to train if you’re racing in September. Running the same terrain you’ll race on builds confidence and familiarity. Expect scenic lake views, wildlife, and a lively running community. Go early on weekends for easier parking and cooler temperatures.

2. Katy Trail

Best for: Tempo runs, intervals, lunch runs

• Distance: 3.5 miles one way
• Surface: Paved with sections of soft-surface running path
• Elevation: Flat
• Lighting: Excellent for early mornings and evenings

Dallas’ most iconic urban running trail. It’s perfect for speed workouts thanks to its long, uninterrupted stretches and quarter-mile markers. Afterwards, grab coffee or breakfast at one of the nearby cafés.

3. Trinity Trails (Fort Worth)

Best for: Marathon training, recovery runs

• Distance: Over 100 miles of connected trails
• Surface: Mostly paved
• Elevation: Flat
• Views: River, parks, downtown skyline

One of the largest urban trail systems in Texas. With dozens of route options, it’s easy to customize your mileage from a 3-mile recovery jog to a 20-mile marathon training run.

4. White Rock Creek Greenbelt

Best for: Long uninterrupted mileage

• Connects directly to White Rock Lake
• Tree-lined
• Less crowded than the lake
• Great for summer running

If you’re training for a half marathon, combine this trail with White Rock Lake for runs well over 15 miles without repeating the same route.

5. Santa Fe Trail

Best for: Easy runs

• Distance: About 4.5–5 miles
• Connects Deep Ellum to White Rock Lake
• Mostly shaded
• Flat

A favorite among East Dallas runners, the Santa Fe Trail is quieter than Katy Trail and provides a scenic connection to White Rock Lake.

6. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve (Plano)

Best for: Hill training

• Paved and natural trails
• Rolling hills
• Excellent strength-building route
• Beautiful scenery

If you want to prepare your legs for stronger finishes, this is one of the best places in North Texas to add elevation to your training.

7. Cedar Ridge Preserve

Best for: Trail running

• Dirt trails
• Hills
• Technical footing
• Great cross-training

Even road runners benefit from occasional trail runs to improve balance, strength, and agility.

🏃 Our Favorites by Workout

Bonus Tip

If you’re training for Too Hot To Handle, aim to complete at least two or three long runs at White Rock Lake before race day. You’ll become familiar with the course, know where the aid stations are likely to be, and feel more confident on race morning.