The Outdoors in Arlington, Texas

River Legacy Parks is Arlington's outdoor centerpiece — more than 1,300 acres of North Texas hardwood forest along the Trinity River, with paved trails for hiking and biking winding through the bottomland woods. It's home to some 400 species of wildlife and nearly 200 kinds of birds.

For a city this urban, having a forest this size in the middle of it is remarkable, and the park is a favorite for cyclists, runners, and birdwatchers looking for a real natural escape.

On the western side of town, Lake Arlington is a city reservoir good for fishing, boating, and shoreline recreation, with parks along its banks. To the south, Joe Pool Lake adds more open water for boating and swimming.

Between the two, Arlington has real lake access to go with its forest park — enough water for a fishing trip or a day on the boat within the city or a short drive out.

For summer, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is Arlington's big water park, with aquatic rides ranging from heart-pounding slides to a relaxing lazy river, right next to Six Flags Over Texas. It's a warm-weather fixture that draws families from across the metro.

The city also keeps a full system of parks and recreation centers, so everyday outdoor time is easy to find between the marquee attractions.

Arlington's trail network connects River Legacy Parks and its other green spaces with paved paths for walking and biking across the city, tying neighborhoods to the parks and the river corridor.

Between the big forest park, the lakes, the water park, and the trails, Arlington covers the outdoors better than its stadium-and-theme-park image would suggest.