Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge — Attraction in Fort Worth

As a frequent visitor to the Fort Worth Nature Center, I can confidently say that this gem of a location is an absolute must-visit for both locals and tourists alike. With its sprawling 3,621 acres of lush, diverse ecosystems, this nature preserve provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and a chance to truly connect with the natural world.

One of the standout activities at the Fort Worth Nature Center is kayaking. Whether you are an experienced paddler or a beginner, the center offers a serene and calming experience on the water.

As you glide through the water, you'll be treated to stunning views of the surrounding landscape, teeming with vibrant flora and fauna. The real excitement, however, lies in the potential to spot alligators in their natural habitat. While sightings are not guaranteed, the thrill of possibly encountering these majestic creatures adds a sense of adventure to the experience.

In addition to kayaking, the Fort Worth Nature Center offers a variety of educational programs and guided hikes, perfect for families or those looking to learn more about the environment. With over 20 miles of hiking trails to choose from, you'll never run out of places to explore.

The Fort Worth Nature Center has quickly become one of my favorite weekend destinations, and I cannot recommend it enough. Whether you're interested in kayaking, hiking, or simply soaking in the beauty of nature, this incredible oasis has something for everyone. Don't miss out on the opportunity to create lasting memories and experience the breathtaking wonders of the natural world right here...

Nature Center and Refuge with bison and prairie dogs that we could not see.

We still saw, though, some wild boars in the preserve - that are not welcomed here, according to the sour attendant at the gate.

The admission rules, though, are irrational and even ridiculous - or stupid. For instance:

Dogs are charged 1 dollar admission!! "Smoking is prohibited." " No audible radios or loud music." " No visiting before or after posted hours." " Visitors on the grounds after hours WILL be locked in."

So, I guess the dogs themselves will have to pay entrance fees, right? Not clear from the posted information.

Smoking is prohibited. Is this place a church or hospital?

And what does it mean, "No audible radios"? Can a radio work without sound?

For other parks admissions, the charges are for the vehicle. Here all occupants of the vehicle are charged a fee. Six occupants in a vehicle would cost 36 dollars!! Talk about rip off or extortion!

And the threat: "Visitors on the grounds after hours WILL be locked in," and forced to call the Fort Worth Police in order to be rescued.

WHY SUCH BRUTALITY? IS THIS THE KIND OF APPROACH THAT WILL ENTICE VISITORS TO THE REFUGE?

If not ridiculous, stupid, and brutal these rules and other similar ones are at least written in very poor English, confusing, and irritating - let alone threatening!

Not worth visiting. Will not be...

We visited from Canada, really hoping to see an alligator. Based on Reading reviews, the Riverbottom Trail would be our best bet. So we drove for an hour to get here, making sure to check the website for any closures before we left. Went through the gate and saw no notices on the board. Park map showed only one closure. Visitor center showed one other closure but nothing about this trail.

So we hiked down to the trailhead and boom, closed. We hiked back up to the visitor center and talked to a ranger. She informed us that it was closed but then WHY wouldn't they let us know that the most popular hike was closed? Online, at the pay station, visitor center, anything would be nice, but nope.

Anyways, the ranger told us to try Greer Island and the Marsh Boardwalk. After driving all over the park, we discovered both of these were closed part way in due to flooding as well. Either the rangers here are not informed of anything or they don't care about letting people know.

Not a great experience. I didn't really want to pay to walk around a grassland, that can be done for free anywhere. If you're planning to visit, I guess you should call multiple rangers about every section of every trail you'd want to hike and hopefully at least one of them...