Explore Fort Worth through its natural landscapes and wildlife, as well as its museums and historic buildings. At the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, the Prairie Trail winds through restored tallgrass prairie to the East Bison Range, home to American bison. Other trails lead through prairie and woodland habitats. Choosing activities lets you take in a variety of landscapes, wildlife, art and history.

Prairie, Woodland and Trails

The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge offers trails through a range of habitats. The site is open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Check visitor information before you arrive, so your plans reflect the stated opening days.

The two trails described differ in both length and scenery: the Prairie Trail is a one-mile loop through restored tallgrass prairie. It reaches the East Bison Range, where American bison live. At 1.1 miles, the Wild Plum Trail is slightly longer and passes through prairie and woodland habitats. If you are primarily interested in experiencing the prairie, the Prairie Trail specifically passes through this restored habitat; the Wild Plum Trail, by contrast, connects prairie and woodland. The Wild Plum South Trail runs along the refuge’s western and eastern bison pastures and offers opportunities to see the bison herd.

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden offers another botanical perspective. Founded in 1934, it is the oldest major botanical garden in Texas. The Trinity Trails cover a different scale: stretching for more than 100 miles along the Trinity River, they connect more than 30 different neighborhoods and more than 20 parks. The murals along the Trinity Trails feature subjects including Fort Worth wildlife, cowboys and folklore.

Wildlife at the Zoo

Visitors can experience wildlife in different ways at the Fort Worth Zoo. The Outdoor Learning Theater presents live animal shows featuring native Texas animals, including a great horned owl and alligators. Texas Wild takes visitors through the state’s different regional landscapes. The Museum of Living Art features more than 250 amphibian and reptile species; the number of species may change. Elephant Springs is an expanded habitat for Asian elephants and white rhinoceroses. Together, these attractions show how varied the zoo’s wildlife experiences are, from live shows and regional landscapes to a dedicated habitat for large animal species.

Art and History

Log Cabin Village preserves historic buildings and offers educational programs and sensory experiences. The village provides a vivid impression of life on the North Texas frontier in the 19th century. Through its extensive collection and exhibitions, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art explores the diversity and complexity of American creativity. Free public tours of the collection and special exhibitions are led by museum educators and do not require reservations. Fort Worth brings different cultural perspectives together: the history of life on the North Texas frontier and the exploration of American art.

Discover more destinations: Haslet, Everman, Colleyville, Bedford, North Richland Hills, Azle, Edgecliff Village, Euless

For the regional travel overview: Tarrant.