The weather has been exceptional lately here in Dallas, and for those of you who want to get outside and soak it all in- The Katy Trail is a great way to do so!

In case you are new to Dallas, or maybe have not heard of it before, The Katy Trail is a 3.5 mile running, walking, and biking trail conveniently located in Dallas, TX. The Katy Trail runs from the SMU campus to the American Airlines Center- right at Camden Victory Park!

Here are the Top 5 Things to do on The Katy Trail:

1) Run, Bike, or Walk up to 7 miles!

The Katy Trail features a 12-foot-wide concrete trail that is perfect for biking, and an 8-foot-wide padded path that is great for runners and walkers.  The padded path is more comfortable on your joints and makes for a better run! Mile markers are located at every half mile, leading up to 3.5 miles going in either direction. Have a baby or a fur-baby? Strollers and dogs are welcome!

 Photo taken by me and edited by Jose Hernandez

2) Visit the Katy Trail Ice House

The Katy Trail Ice House is a restaurant and beer garden located right along the Katy Trail, featuring barbecue and ice cold adult beverages. It was voted as the best patio in Dallas, with tons of outdoor seating underneath colorful string lights and fire pits. The Katy Trail Ice House is also one of the best places to take your dog in Dallas!

Photo courtesy of Photo taken by me and edited by Jose Hernandez

3) Explore over 125 acres of Parks

Reaching from Highland Park with Abbott Park, down through West Village and the Oak Lawn/Uptown neighborhood with Dean Park, Lee Park, and Reverchon Park- The Katy Trail offers some perfect pit stops to have a picnic, walk through additional trails, and explore! A map can be found on The Katy Trail’s website.

4) Bask in the Scenic Views and Monuments

Enjoy the urban Dallas environment that stretches out along the trail at one of the several overlooks that are positioned throughout. Victory Overlook is located right by Camden Victory Park!  Gain some scenic views of neighboring parks, live it up with views of the Dallas skyline, or simply enjoy a tunnel of trees towering over you. The Katy Trail offers a diverse array of views.

5) Hop on and access for all Dallas Camden Residents!

The South Entrance of The Katy Trail is called Victory Promenade, and it is located directly across from Camden Victory Park. The Knox/Henderson entrance is just a short walk or bike ride away from Camden Belmont and Camden Henderson. Residents from Camden Farmer’s Market and Camden Design District only have a 5-10 minute drive in order to gain access as well! 

*Yes, that is Camden Victory Park! Photo taken by me and edited by Jose Hernandez

What is your favorite thing to do on The Katy Trail? My favorite is to go for a run, take in all the scenic views of Dallas, and end at The Katy Trail Icehouse to hang out on the patio. Don’t stop here, another great thing to do outdoors is spending a day at The Dallas Arboretum!