The Outdoors in Irving, Texas
Irving's outdoors have an urban, designed feel — the walkable canals and lake of the Las Colinas district, plus trails along the Trinity River and a solid city park system. It's a different flavor of outside than the lake towns, built around water features and greenways in the middle of a corporate urban center.
Here's where to get outside in and around Irving.
Mandalay Canal and Lake Carolyn
The Mandalay Canal in the Las Colinas Urban Center is Irving's most distinctive outdoor spot — a Venice-inspired waterway winding past restaurants, shops, and hotels, with waterfalls, vine-covered bridges, and Old World-style stonework. You can walk the canal or take a gondola cruise with Gondola Adventures of Las Colinas.
The canal connects to Lake Carolyn, the centerpiece of Las Colinas, ringed by high-rises. It's a genuinely pretty, walkable water district — an unusual thing to find in a suburb, and a pleasant place to stroll.
Trinity River Trails
For more traditional recreation, Irving keeps a network of trails along the Trinity River and its greenways, giving walkers, runners, and cyclists paved paths through the western part of the city.
The river corridor threads green space through an otherwise built-up area, and the trails connect parks and neighborhoods for everyday outdoor time.
City Parks
Beyond the canals and the river trails, Irving runs a system of city parks with playgrounds, ballfields, and picnic areas across town for everyday recreation.
Between the Las Colinas water district, the Trinity River trails, and the city parks, Irving covers the outdoors in its own urban way, with the walkable canal as the standout.
City & County Parks
Municipal and county parks, greenspaces, and recreation areas in and around Irving.
- Cottonwood Creek Park
- Woodridge Park
- Victoria Park
- Lee Park
- The Elis Walker Outdoor Learning Center
- Woodhaven Park
- Thomas Jefferson Park
- Jaycee Park
- Northwest Park
- Wyche Park
- Nichols Park
- Dorris Park
- Parmenter Gazebo Garden
- Opitz Park
- Irving Soccer Complex
- Texas Lottery Plaza
Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Lakes Near Irving
Lakes and reservoirs within about 30 miles of Irving, by approximate straight-line distance. Access, boating rules and camping vary by lake, so check with the operator before you go.
- Mountain Creek Lake · ~10 mi
- Grapevine Lake · ~13 mi
- White Rock Lake · ~14 mi
- Lake Arlington · ~18 mi
- Joe Pool Lake · ~19 mi
- Lewisville Lake · ~20 mi
- Lake Ray Hubbard · ~26 mi
- Lake Worth · ~28 mi
State Parks & Natural Areas Near Irving
Public lands within reach of Irving — state parks, natural areas, and historic sites managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife — with approximate straight-line distance from town.
- Cedar Hill State Park · Dallas County ~16 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Greenbelt Unit State Park · Denton County ~31 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Elm Fork Unit State Park · Denton County ~34 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Isle du Bois Unit State Park · Denton County ~35 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Pond Creek Unit State Park · Denton County ~37 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Sanger Unit State Park · Denton County ~37 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Trail Corridor Unit State Park · Denton County ~37 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Jordon Unit State Park · Denton County ~38 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Johnson Branch Unit State Park · Denton County ~40 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Pecan Creek Unit State Park · Denton County ~40 mi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from Irving. Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
FAQ: Outdoors in Irving
The Mandalay Canal in Irving's Las Colinas district is a Venice-inspired waterway winding past restaurants, shops, and hotels, with waterfalls and vine-covered bridges. You can walk it or take a gondola cruise with Gondola Adventures of Las Colinas.
Yes. Irving keeps a network of trails along the Trinity River and its greenways for walking, running, and cycling, plus a system of city parks across town.
Irving's outdoors center on the walkable Mandalay Canal and Lake Carolyn in Las Colinas, the Trinity River trails, and the city's parks — an urban, designed take on getting outside.
East Texas guides — an easy drive from Irving
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?
Want Your Business Featured in Irving?
People are searching for businesses like yours in Irving. Get listed in our city guide and local directory so they can find you.