DOGWOOD CANYON AUDUBON CENTER STATUS

Enjoy special content on our Distant Engagement page.

Updated: May 7, 2022

TRAILS OPEN!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Online shopping available for: Native Plant Sale

PANDEMIC UPDATES:

TRAILS ARE OPEN (DURING POSTED BUSINESS HOURS): Also open are our Nature Store, Nature Play area, and indoor bird viewing.

Dear guests:

While Covid-19 appears to be waning, or perhaps we are learnng better how to live with it, we will be cautious as needed, pending pandemic numbers. We will also continue to limit the number of people who visit this wildlife sanctuary, mostly to benefit birds and other wildlife who depend on this ecosystem as a safe space. Our open days will continue to be limited due to reduced staff.

Public open hours: Due to staffing shortages, our public hours remain reduced. We recommend reservations for Saturdays, our busiest day. We do welcome walk-ups on Saturday, but only if space is available. Those with reservations have priority access. Walk-ups on open weekdays during public hours.

Public Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 9am-3pm (last trail entry at 1:30pm). Gates, including the circle parking lot, are locked at 3:00p.

RAIN CLOSURE: Trails will close when we receive a significant amount of precipitation. Best land management practices to ensure sustainability and protection of our trails means no hiking on wet trails. Call ahead to check status of trails: (469) 526-1980.

Important changes and updates:

No Dogs: After researching various studies on the impact of dogs on wildlife along hiking trails and due to people not picking up their dog waste, we will revert back to our original sanctuary status, providing a unique space to slow down and observe this ecosystem within the nature corridor. Dogs are welcome on the Balcones trail in front of Dogwood Canyon.
Registration: Admission is still free, but to reduce chances of Covid-19 spread and subsequentially, provide peaceful habitat for birds and other wildlife, we will be limiting visitors to 30 total per hour. Advanced registration will be required for Saturdays.
Masks: Masks are recommended for those who are not vaccinated. Masks are recommended when entering our Nature Store.
All Areas Open: Trails, Nature Store, Basin, Nature Play area.
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 9am-4pm (last trail entry at 3pm). Gates are locked at 4:00p. Please note holiday hours posted above.
Changes: As data and parameters change, we will adjust as needed to accommodate the needs of our staff, volunteers, and visitors.

We are excited to welcome you to our trails! We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this new path with limited staff and resources. Now is a great time to see our brand new trail that explores deeper into the canyon. See you outside!

You can reach the staff via e-mail at dcac@audubon.org or by phone at (469) 526-1980.

Visit our Distant Engagement for online engagement. We appreciate you and encourage you to support our center by making a donation online or joining our center as a member.

If we are closed, or you are just looking for other hiking and walking trails nearby, visit our page describing nearby trails.

We look forward to seeing you!

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Where the Texas Hill Country Meets Dallas County

At Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, the ecosystems of east, west and central Texas converge, making the canyon an ideal location for learning about environmental science and nature. Audubon preserves natural habitat of over 200 acres, a portion of the surrounding 3,000+ acre greenbelt near Cedar Hill State Park and Cedar Ridge Preserve, which is managed by Audubon Dallas.

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center has over 2 miles of hiking trails reaching some of the highest elevations in Dallas County, allowing visitors a view of Joe Pool Lake and, on a clear day, to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington and beyond. The center's Nature Play area with picnic tables, bird blind with a rain catchment system, education animals on site, a resident raptor, indoor bird viewing area, gift shop, special events and programs enable Dogwood Canyon to serve the community by connecting people with nature, especially thousands of school children that visit on environmental science field trips each year.

Set at the mouth of a forested canyon, Dogwood Canyon is one of the few remaining places in Dallas County to observe native trees, grasses, wildflowers, butterflies, birds, insects, reptiles, etc. in a natural setting. The greenbelt area that includes the center is an important stopover for migrating birds and other species.

More Information

Book a School Field Trip

July 29, 2019 — We are now accepting booking requests for the 2019-2020 school year! Get more details about our many academic programs and how to book. Come to our center, or we can come to your campus. DISD teachers, we accept Learning Partners vouchers from Big Thought!

Current Highlights

Academics

School Programs

Introduce your students to nature and customized programming to reinforce TEKS-aligned science concepts.

Read more

Programs

Private Live Bird of Prey Encounter

Get nose to beak with a live bird of prey!

Read more

1206 West F.M. 1382
Cedar Hill, TX 75104
469-526-1980
dcac@audubon.org

Reservations recommended on Saturdays. Number of hikers are limited in this sanctuary; those with reservations have priority.
Free admission; donations apprecitated.
Public open hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 9am-4pm.
Last trail entry at 3pm. Gate locks at 4pm.
Closed Sunday-Tuesday and major holidays.
Hiking trails may close due to rain or other conditions.
When our center is closed, our trails are closed.