The Outdoors in Plano, Texas
Plano has invested heavily in parks and trails for a big, affluent suburb, and its outdoor centerpiece is a genuine nature preserve on the west side. Backed by one of the more extensive trail systems in the northern Metroplex, it gives residents real green space in a built-up city.
Here's where to get outside in and around Plano.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, on Plano's western edge, is the standout — a 200-acre park with more than two miles of paved recreational trails and about two miles of off-road cycling trails winding through prairie and woods. There's an expansive playground, multiple pavilions, and an observation tower with views across the preserve.
It's a favorite for hikers, mountain bikers, and families, and it's a rare block of natural terrain in a heavily developed part of Collin County — the first place most people are pointed for the outdoors in Plano.
The Trail System
Plano runs one of the deeper trail networks in the northern suburbs, with miles of paved paths linking parks, creeks, and neighborhoods across the city. It's built for walking, running, and biking without fighting traffic.
The trails tie the city's parks together into a connected system, so you can cover real distance on foot or by bike, which is part of what makes Plano an easy place to stay active.
City Parks
Beyond Arbor Hills, Plano keeps a large system of city parks with playgrounds, ballfields, ponds, and picnic areas, plus natural areas along its creeks for quieter walks.
Between the nature preserve, the trail network, and the parks, Plano covers the outdoors well for a major suburb — enough green space and connected trail to make getting outside easy from any part of town.
City & County Parks
Municipal and county parks, greenspaces, and recreation areas in and around Plano.
- Horseshoe Park
- Buckhorn Park
- Caddo Park
- Cheyenne Park
- Blue Ridge Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Jack Carter Park
- Lone Star Park
- Big Lake Park
- Chisholm Trail
- High Point Park
- Wagon Wheel Park
- Hackberry Park
- Rustic Park
- Carpenter Park
- Prairie Meadow Park
Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Lakes Near Plano
Lakes and reservoirs within about 30 miles of Plano, by approximate straight-line distance. Access, boating rules and camping vary by lake, so check with the operator before you go.
- White Rock Lake · ~15 mi
- Lake Ray Hubbard · ~16 mi
- Lavon Lake · ~16 mi
- Lewisville Lake · ~16 mi
- Grapevine Lake · ~22 mi
- Mountain Creek Lake · ~26 mi
State Parks & Natural Areas Near Plano
Public lands within reach of Plano — state parks, natural areas, and historic sites managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife — with approximate straight-line distance from town.
- Ray Roberts Lake - Greenbelt Unit State Park · Denton County ~25 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Elm Fork Unit State Park · Denton County ~27 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Isle du Bois Unit State Park · Denton County ~27 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Trail Corridor Unit State Park · Denton County ~28 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Buck Creek Unit State Park · Grayson County ~29 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Jordon Unit State Park · Denton County ~29 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Pond Creek Unit State Park · Denton County ~31 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Sanger Unit State Park · Denton County ~31 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Johnson Branch Unit State Park · Denton County ~32 mi
- Cedar Hill State Park · Dallas County ~33 mi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from Plano. Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
FAQ: Outdoors in Plano
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a 200-acre park on Plano's west side, with more than two miles of paved trails, about two miles of off-road cycling trails, an expansive playground, pavilions, and an observation tower — a rare block of natural terrain in a developed area.
Yes. Plano runs one of the deeper trail networks in the northern suburbs, with miles of paved paths linking parks, creeks, and neighborhoods, anchored by the trails at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve.
Plano offers the 200-acre Arbor Hills Nature Preserve for hiking and mountain biking, an extensive paved trail network, and a large system of city parks with playgrounds, ponds, and creekside natural areas.
East Texas guides — an easy drive from Plano
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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