Ruby-throated hummingbird in flight, facing a yellow jacket.

Plan Your Visit to Dogwood Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center

Features and amenities to help you make the most of your visit.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird and yellow jacket. Photo: Laura Zamfiresccu/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Photography Awards

We welcome visitors to this canyon of juniper/oak forest to enjoy a unique convergence of Texas' ecoregions. With 200+ acres, three miles of trails, a children’s Nature Play area, and the C.E. Doolin Visitor Center with exhibits and a gift shop, you can view birds, join programs, or enjoy the picnic area. Experience a deeper connection to nature.  

Hours
Purple horsemint flowers in foreground with ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ center in background.
Horsemint blooming in prairie at Dogwood Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center. Photo: Sean Fitzgerald
Your Guide to Dogwood Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
Hiking Trails
People birding on a trail.

Experience a relaxing hike in our oak/juniper hardwood forest on a limestone escarpment. While not a very deep canyon, Dogwood Canyon is a true canyon formed by water. There are three miles of hiking trails that include very easy to moderate. The Canyon Floor trail is great for toddlers or a quick walk and is a nice introduction to our forest. The West Loop Trail takes you to the top of the White Rock escarpment with views of Joe Pool Lake and across the canyon. The Dogwood Trail takes you deeper into the canyon that includes bridges over the ephemeral creek and escapes the urban sounds. Enjoy a guided hike for trout lily plants in late winter or get a birds-eye view of the flowering dogwoods in early spring. 

Hiking Details
Accessibility
View of back of building breezeway and ramp.
View of back of building breezeway and ramp that leads to the trailhead. Photo: Michaela Kral/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

The Dogwood Canyon visitor center continues to make progress towards accessibility. While not all trails are accessible, the building is fully accessible which is where many of our events and programs occur. As funding becomes available, we desire to grow to make this space accessible for all. 

Accessible Details
Things To Do
White Trout Lily plant in bloom.
White Trout Lily plant in bloom. Photo: Julie Collins/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Dogwood Canyon is more than just hiking trails. In addition to viewing our calendar of upcoming events, you can find an open play space for children in the Nature Play area, relax and watch birds at both an indoor and outdoor bird viewing area, discover a few live animals and education exhibit in Nature Nook, shop for that perfect something for you or a friend in our gift shop,  as well as our lecture series, seasonal art exhibits and much more. 

 

Explore More
Dogwood Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center at a Glance
Hiking trails
Bathrooms
Parking lot
Group meeting space
Wheelchair accessible
Nature store
Picnic area
Upcoming Events
View All Events
Apr
25
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Dogwood Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
Group Hike
Cedar Hill, TX
Apr
25
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Dogwood Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
Volunteer Habitat Work Day
Cedar Hill, TX
Apr
25
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Dogwood Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
Volunteer Habitat Workday
Cedar Hill, TX
We will be removing invasive species like Chinese privet, and Johnson grass. We have the tools (and gloves, if you don't have your own), we just need...
Apr
25
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Dogwood Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
Community Science Workshop
Cedar Hill, TX
Apr
26
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Dogwood Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
Acopian BirdSaver Window Strike Workshop
Cedar Hill, TX
May
2
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Dogwood Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
First Saturday Bird Walk
Cedar Hill, TX
Join our expert birders for a walk in the woods searching for birds. Every first Saturday of the month join our dedicated volunteer bird walk leaders...
May
2
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Dogwood Canyon ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center
First Saturday Bird Walk
Cedar Hill, TX