DOGWOOD CANYON AUDUBON CENTER STATUS

Enjoy special content on our Distant Engagement page.

Updated: September 10, 2021 

• 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 will still be free, but to reduce chances of Covid-19 spread, we will be limiting visitors to 20 total per hour. Advanced registration will be required.
• Masks: Masks are recommended for those who are not vaccinated.
• Areas Closed: Nature Store, Basin, Nature Play area.   
• Hours: See 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! Sign up here to reserve your spot to come hiking--no access without a reservation. We know it is not ideal, but we appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this new path with limited resources and severe staff reductions. Now is a great time to see our brand new trail that explores deeper into the canyon. See you outside!

Current closures will include the Nature Play area, picnic tables, the basin, and the C.E. Doolin visitor center building. As this property is private, accessing trails or any other portion of the property when closed is considered trespassing. These decisions are made to protect our community of staff, local residents, volunteers, and visitors during this public health emergency.

Be assured we are working to keep the trails open. Several factors affect the decision to open or remain closed, regardless of local municipal permissions. Like you, we are anxious to be fully reopen, but must do so in a responsible manner that protects our staff, volunteers and visitors. 

We appreciate your understanding and compliance. You can continue to reach the staff via e-mail at dcac@audubon.org or by phone at (469) 526-1980.

During our limited opening we will be engaging our audience with videos and other posts on our social media. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Our work continues to protect birds and the places they need through engagement and education. Visit our Distant Engagement page. We appreciate your continued engagement and encourage you to support our center by making a donation online or joining our center as a member during this critical time.

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.