Trails Information
More than just great bass!
- Bald eagle
An hour southeast of Dallas, Purtis Creek State Park is known for its bass fishing, but there’s so much more to do! Come for the fish, and stay to swim, hike or bike the trails, or just relax by the lake.
- Download our Trails Map | PDF.
- Use the trails maps anytime, anywhere by downloading a comprehensive map to your phone or GIS-compatible device.
Contact us to ask about our all-terrain wheelchair, available for your use in the park.
Trails
All trails hiking and biking unless otherwise indicated.
This list may not include all trails in the park.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Walk Trail | 0.5 mi. | 30 min. | Easy | Take a short hike along this concrete trail that follows alongside the dam. As you hike, signs demonstrate the relative distance of our planets from the sun. |
| Beaver Slide Nature Path | 1.3 mi. | 1.5 hours | Easy | One of the favorite trails in the park, this trail offers spectacular views of the lake. There’s also plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities as you hike. No bike use on this trail. |
| Wolfpen Hike and Bike Trail (Green Loop) | 0.8 mi. (one way) | 45 min. | Easy | This short trail is great for families with small children. Perfect for hiking and biking, this trail segment will lead you to the remaining Wolfpen Trail loops. |
| Wolfpen Hike and Bike Trail (Blue Loop) | 2.0 mi. | 2 hours | Easy | This section of the Wolfpen Trail is very shaded; great hiking or biking on a sunny day! |
| Wolfpen Hike and Bike Trail (Red Loop) | 1.2 mi. | 1.5 hours | Easy | Follow the third segment of the Wolfpen Trail, and hike or bike over some mild elevation changes. Keep your eyes open for wildlife! |
Points of Interest
GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.
| Point | Latitude | Longitude | 360° Views | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluestem Prairie | 32.3541° | -95.9932° | View of the Bluestem Prairie | Summer or winter, birds and mammals find a use for bluestem grass species, for food or shelter. Here at the park, we’re working to restore this important habitat. |
| Native Water Plants Restoration | 32.3581° | -96.0023° | View of the Native Water Plants Restoration | Just at the lake’s edge, you will notice a wire cage partially submerged in the water. TPWD biologists built and placed 10 of these cages around the lake to keep invasive grass carp from eating native grasses as they grow. |
| Entrance to Oak Forest | 32.3626° | -96.0066° | View of the Entrance to the Oak Forest | All trails here lead to an upland forest composed primarily of post oak, blackjack oak, and black hickory trees. White-tailed deer, coyotes, raccoons and a multitude of bird species call this area home. |
| Bent by Nature | 32.3648° | -96.0080° | View of Bent by Nature | Check out the bend in this young oak tree’s main trunk; it’s been bent 90° twice and it is still thriving on its own! What do you think caused these bends? |
| Burlwood Tree | 32.3646° | -96.0066° | View of the Burlwood Tree | A burl is where the wood grain of a tree has grown in a deformed way. It's usually caused by stress and is typically found on the tree's trunk as a rounded outgrowth. |
| Feathered Friends | 32.3640° | -96.0016° | View from the bird blind | Take a peek from this bird blind to see the birds that frequent Purtis Creek Lake. Bald eagles nest in the area and white pelicans can be found here during the winter. What species can you identify? |
| A Place to Rest | 32.3643° | -96.0004° | View of a Place to Rest | Pause here next to the bridge spanning one of the many water inlets to the lake, and take in a gorgeous view. You may hear a hawk cry, or even see beaver out and about in the early evening |
Staying Safe
- Know your limits. Prepare for sun and heat. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and appropriate clothing/hiking shoes.
- Drink plenty of water. Your body quickly loses fluids when you’re on the trail. Bring a quart of water per hour of activity.
- Tell others where you’ll be. If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Wear a helmet. When biking, check with park HQ to match the trail to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.
- You may not be able to connect. It’s a good idea to take along a cell phone and GPS unit, but don’t count on them.
- Potentially harmful plants and animals may live here. You’ll see them more easily if you stay on trails.
Trail Etiquette
- Trash your trash. Pack out all of your trash and Leave No Trace.
- Leave feeding to nature. Feeding wild animals will make them sick. Please do not feed them.
- Don’t Pocket the Past. Help preserve Texas heritage. Leave artifacts where you find them and report their location to a ranger.
- Take only memories and pictures. Please don’t disturb or remove any of the park’s plants, animals or artifacts.
- Keep pets on leashes for their safety, and to protect wildlife.
