The Outdoors in Forney, Texas
Forney is a fast-growing town just east of Dallas on US-80, better known for its antique shops than its outdoors — but it has kept up on parks as it's grown, and one of the metro's big reservoirs is a short drive west. The outdoor day here is more about city parks and lake trips than trails.
Here's where to get outside in and around Forney.
Forney Community Park
Forney Community Park is the town's main recreation spot — a versatile park with a splash pad, playgrounds, soccer fields, and baseball and softball fields, covering families and youth sports both. On a hot afternoon the splash pad is the draw; on a weekend it's league games.
For a growing town, it's a solid, well-used central park, and it handles most of what residents want from a day at the park close to home.
Bell Park and Around Town
For something quieter, Bell Park is a small, charming park with a gazebo and bench seating — a peaceful spot to sit among the plants and greenery. It's the low-key counterpart to the busy Community Park.
Around these, Forney's parks and its compact, walkable downtown give the town enough green space and easy walking for everyday outdoor time.
Lake Ray Hubbard Nearby
For bigger water, Lake Ray Hubbard sits a short drive west of Forney — a large reservoir with marinas, boat ramps, and waterfront dining, popular for boating and fishing. It's the easiest lake day from town.
Between the city parks and the lake nearby, Forney covers the outdoor basics, even if the town's real draw is what's inside its antique shops rather than out on the trails.
City & County Parks
Municipal and county parks, greenspaces, and recreation areas in and around Forney.
- Forney Community Park
- Eastside Park
- Hamblen Park
- Mulberry Park
- Xeric Garden
- Bell Park
- Spyglass Pond Park
- Buckingham Park
- The Club at Devonshire
- Heartland Park
- Firewheel Park
- Pirrung School Park
- Achziger Park
- Rorie Galloway Day Camp
- Brandy Station Park
- St. James Park
Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Lakes Near Forney
Lakes and reservoirs within about 30 miles of Forney, by approximate straight-line distance. Access, boating rules and camping vary by lake, so check with the operator before you go.
- Lake Ray Hubbard · ~12 mi
- White Rock Lake · ~17 mi
- Lavon Lake · ~26 mi
- Lake Tawakoni · ~28 mi
- Mountain Creek Lake · ~30 mi
State Parks & Natural Areas Near Forney
Public lands within reach of Forney — state parks, natural areas, and historic sites managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife — with approximate straight-line distance from town.
- Lake Tawakoni State Park · Hunt County ~28 mi
- Cedar Hill State Park · Dallas County ~32 mi
- Purtis Creek State Park · VanZandt County ~38 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Greenbelt Unit State Park · Denton County ~52 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Elm Fork Unit State Park · Denton County ~54 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Isle du Bois Unit State Park · Denton County ~54 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Trail Corridor Unit State Park · Denton County ~55 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Buck Creek Unit State Park · Grayson County ~56 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Jordon Unit State Park · Denton County ~56 mi
- Bonham State Park · Fannin County ~58 mi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from Forney. Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
FAQ: Outdoors in Forney
Forney Community Park is the main one, with a splash pad, playgrounds, soccer fields, and baseball and softball fields. Bell Park is a smaller park with a gazebo and bench seating for a quieter visit.
Yes. Lake Ray Hubbard, a large reservoir with marinas, boat ramps, and waterfront dining, is a short drive west of Forney and is popular for boating and fishing.
Forney's outdoor options center on Forney Community Park (splash pad, playgrounds, and ballfields) and the quieter Bell Park, with Lake Ray Hubbard a short drive west for boating and fishing.
East Texas guides — an easy drive from Forney
Weekend trips, lakes, festivals and small-town food east of the metroplex.
Best Lakes in East Texas
A fact-checked guide to 17 East Texas lakes, from Lake Fork's trophy bass and Caddo Lake to Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Lake Tawakoni. Sizes, species, access and rules come from TPWD.
Read Guide →Best Hiking Trails in East Texas
East Texas hiking trails checked against park and Forest Service sources: Tyler, Daingerfield, Mission Tejas and Martin Creek Lake state parks, the Four C Trail and the Sawmill Trail.
Read Guide →East Texas State Parks Guide
Twelve East Texas state parks from TPWD: Tyler, Caddo Lake, Atlanta, Lake Bob Sandlin, Tawakoni, Purtis Creek, Cooper, Martin Dies Jr. and more. Camping, cabins and passes.
Read Guide →Fishing in East Texas: Complete Guide
A sourced guide to fishing Lake Fork, Lake Palestine, Cedar Creek and Lake Athens: bass slot limits, where TPWD says the fish are, and Texas license rules.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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