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Cedar Hill is a city about 20 miles southwest of downtown Dallas, set along the White Rock Escarpment, a line of wooded limestone hills that rises well above the surrounding prairie. One of the oldest communities in the Dallas area, it dates to the 1840s and survived a devastating tornado in 1856.
The city's biggest draw is Cedar Hill State Park on the shores of Joe Pool Lake, a favorite for camping, fishing, swimming and some of the best mountain biking in North Texas. Inside the park, the Penn Farm Agricultural History Center preserves a 19th-century family farm with barns and historic buildings.
Nearby, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center protects a rare canyon where eastern and western plant and bird species meet, with trails through cedar woodland. Historic Downtown Cedar Hill has early homes, churches and murals, and Hillside Village offers open-air shopping and dining. Downtown Dallas is about half an hour away.
A large state park on the shores of Joe Pool Lake, with campsites, swimming and fishing areas, boat ramps and hiking trails through native prairie and cedar woods. It is one of the most popular parks near Dallas, so reserve campsites early and arrive early on summer weekends, when entry can fill.
A preserved 19th-century farmstead inside Cedar Hill State Park, founded by the Penn family, with a restored house, large barns and historic farm machinery. A self-guided trail explains how the family farmed the land over generations. It is included with park entry and pairs well with a lakeside picnic.
A well-known network of mountain bike loops in Cedar Hill State Park, built and maintained with the Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association, with rolling singletrack through woods and over limestone ledges and lake views. Trails close after rain, so check the status first, and ride in the cooler mornings.
An Audubon nature center protecting a wooded canyon on the escarpment where species from eastern forests and western drylands meet. Trails climb through cedar and oak woodland with views over the prairie, and the center offers birding walks and family programs. Check hours, as it is not open daily.
The original town center of Cedar Hill, with historic homes such as the William Bryant Jr. and Strauss houses, early churches, local shops and colorful murals. It is small but pleasant for a short stroll and hosts community festivals during the year. Combine it with lunch at a local cafe.
An open-air shopping and dining center on the hills of Cedar Hill, with stone-clad buildings, national stores, restaurants and a cinema, plus walkways with views over the surrounding countryside. It is a pleasant place to shop or eat after a day at the state park. Parking is free.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Renelibrary, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Pete unseth, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Renelibrary, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Renelibrary, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Renelibrary, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Renelibrary, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
