A visit to Dallas wouldn’t be complete without a visit to White Rock Lake Park, formally established as a public park in 1929. Nicknamed “The People’s Park”, it has lived up to its name, remaining extremely popular through the years.
It is a major draw to visitors and tourists in Dallas, attracting those who come to bike, fish and visit all the buildings and sites in the park. White Rock is open from 5 am to 11 pm every day of the week, making it is easy to drop by during the day and stay through the evening.
In addition to sports enthusiasts, White River also appeals to nature lovers, with over 33 different animals, including mink and bobcats.
There are also over 50 types of reptiles, from snakes to horned toads, at least 217 kinds of birds, and 19 different varieties of fish. Visitors rave about the opportunity to watch and photograph birds and other wildlife.
It is easy to spend an entire day at the park because viewing wildlife is just one of the many attractions and activities offered. For those who want some exercise as they take in the beauty of the park, there are fishing, bicycling and hiking options.
The bicycle trail spans over 9 miles of the park, with restful picnic areas for those who want to take a break and grab a bite to eat. Bringing along a bike to White Rock isn’t necessary since bikes are available for rental at nearby bike shops. Those who want to bicycle completely around the lake should plan to allow 3 hours for the ride.
Winfrey Point is a popular area in the park for those who want to hang out, have a picnic, watch the sailboats and simply relax. The view of downtown Dallas is also easily seen from here and is particularly spectacular right at sunset.
Photographers from across the country flock to White Rock, taking advantage of the numerous opportunities to get amazing wildlife photos. Wildflowers grow in abundance, too, adding to the incredible natural beauty (and photo opportunities) found there.
Insiders know to check out the parrot colonies located near the park’s dam so visitors should make a special point of dropping by there to catch a sight of the colorful birds.
Another lesser-known fact is the leash-free dog park at Mockingbird Point. Some people come to White Rock just to give their dogs a chance to meet, mingle and have fun with other canines.
Fishing is a very popular activity, especially since there are 19 different kinds of fish, including bass and other popular seafood varieties. There is also a special wetlands area, with bird watching spots specially selected by the Audubon Society.
The White Rock Lake Museum is one attraction in the park well worth visiting. It affords visitors the opportunity to understand the history of the park and nearby areas. There are videos displayed on a television screen. The Museum also has various and changing art shows, featuring work by local artists.
Another major building, the Bath House Cultural Center, offers special exhibitions and displays regularly so it is worth dropping by there to see what is happening. The White Rock Lake Museum is located inside the Bath House Cultural Center. Admission to the Museum is always free. Hours are noon to 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday).
A visit to the White Rock Park area wouldn’t be complete without checking out the Dallas Arboretum and Botannical Gardens. Full of incredible flowers, there are 66 acres to explore (although it would be impossible to cover the grounds in one day. There is also a gift shop at the Dallas Arboretum.
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