The Outdoors in North Richland Hills, Texas
North Richland Hills is a Mid-Cities suburb northeast of Fort Worth, and its outdoors lean toward recreation — it's home to a popular city-owned water park and a well-regarded public golf course, plus a solid set of city parks. For a built-up town, there's a lot to do outside.
Here's where to get outside in and around North Richland Hills.
NRH2O Family Water Park
NRH2O Family Water Park is North Richland Hills's biggest outdoor draw — a 17-acre water park that opened in 1995 as the first municipally owned water park in Texas. It has more than 20 attractions, including slides, a wave pool, an endless river, a five-level interactive water playground, and the Nitro Blast dueling water coaster.
It pulls families from across the Metroplex, making it the town's signature summer destination.
Iron Horse Golf Course
Iron Horse Golf Course is a well-regarded public course set along former rail lines, with an 18-hole layout, lush greens, and scenic water features that challenge players of all levels. It's served DFW golfers for more than 25 years.
For a public course in a suburb, it's a genuine draw, and it anchors the town's outdoor recreation alongside the water park.
City Parks and Trails
Beyond the marquee attractions, North Richland Hills keeps a system of city parks and trails for everyday recreation, linking neighborhoods with paved paths for walking and biking across the Mid-Cities.
And the parks, trails, and lakes of neighboring Hurst, Keller, and Colleyville are minutes away, with Lake Grapevine a short drive north for bigger water.
City & County Parks
Municipal and county parks, greenspaces, and recreation areas in and around North Richland Hills.
- Richfield Park
- Dick Faram Park
- Liberty Park
- Walker's Creek Park
- Holiday Lane Athletic Fields
- Norich Park
- Ace Park
- Hurst Athletic Complex
- Cross Timbers Park
- Green Valley Park
- Foster Village Park
- Stormy Plaza
- Harwood Dog Park
- BISD Park
- Dolce Plaza
- Prayer Garden
Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Lakes Near North Richland Hills
Lakes and reservoirs within about 30 miles of North Richland Hills, by approximate straight-line distance. Access, boating rules and camping vary by lake, so check with the operator before you go.
- Grapevine Lake · ~11 mi
- Lake Arlington · ~11 mi
- Lake Worth · ~14 mi
- Eagle Mountain Lake · ~16 mi
- Mountain Creek Lake · ~18 mi
- Benbrook Lake · ~22 mi
- Joe Pool Lake · ~22 mi
- Lewisville Lake · ~24 mi
State Parks & Natural Areas Near North Richland Hills
Public lands within reach of North Richland Hills — 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 ~22 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Greenbelt Unit State Park · Denton County ~33 mi
- Lake Mineral Wells Trailway - Weatherford TH State Park · Parker County ~36 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Elm Fork Unit State Park · Denton County ~36 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Sanger Unit State Park · Denton County ~36 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Isle du Bois Unit State Park · Denton County ~37 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Pond Creek Unit State Park · Denton County ~37 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Trail Corridor Unit State Park · Denton County ~39 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Johnson Branch Unit State Park · Denton County ~40 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Jordon Unit State Park · Denton County ~40 mi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from North Richland Hills. Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
FAQ: Outdoors in North Richland Hills
NRH2O is a 17-acre water park in North Richland Hills that opened in 1995 as the first municipally owned water park in Texas. It has more than 20 attractions, including slides, a wave pool, an endless river, an interactive water playground, and the Nitro Blast dueling water coaster.
Yes. Iron Horse Golf Course is a well-regarded 18-hole public course in North Richland Hills, set along former rail lines with scenic water features, and it's served DFW golfers for more than 25 years.
North Richland Hills offers NRH2O Family Water Park, Iron Horse Golf Course, and a system of city parks and trails, with the parks and lakes of the neighboring Mid-Cities and Lake Grapevine close by.
East Texas guides — an easy drive from North Richland Hills
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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