Activity Overview
The Katy Trail is a popular trail that runs through the city of Dallas. Both citizens and visitors alike love using this 3.5-mile long trail for activities such as walking, jogging, biking, and inline skating.
The Katy Trail was formerly the site of railroad tracks belonging to the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad (the MKT), which soon earned its nickname, "the Katy". At its peak, it covered nearly 4,000 miles of track in the three states. In recent years, the abandoned tracks that ran through downtown Dallas have been transformed into this beautiful path that runs from the American Airlines Center to DART's Mockingbird Station.
Things to Do
- Go for a relaxing weekend stroll with your family along the Katy Trail. If you're a nature lover, be sure to check out all the native trees and plants that have been planted alongside the path.
- Gather some friends and go for a bike ride! There is plenty of space for cyclists to ride without fear of hitting pedestrians.
- Grab your inline skates and go for an adventure along the paved trail as you enjoy the beautiful views it provides.
- Bring your dog along for your workout so that they can get some fresh air and exercise too! There are plenty of water fountains, so there's no need to worry about you or your pet getting dehydrated while out in the heat.
Katy Trail Insider Tips
- If you get tired, just stop and have a seat on one of the many benches lining the trail. They're also a great place to sit and read a book for a few hours if the weather's nice.
- One of the best places to park for access to the trail is the parking lot on Knox Street behind Lamps Plus. Other parking areas include the north parking lot of the American Airlines Center (when events aren't being held) or at the parking lot in Reverchon Park located adjacent to the baseball fields.
- If you're an early bird or a night owl, you can still enjoy the Katy Trail without fear of exercising in the dark. Lights are on from 5 a.m. until sunrise and from sunset until 9 p.m. year-round, and stay on even later until 11 p.m. between July and September so you can take advantage of the warm weather.
- While the Katy Trail itself does not have any public restrooms, there are several options very close by. If you're on the southern section of the trail you can use the public restroom at Reverchon Recreation Center or the Katy Trail Ice House. On the northern section your best bet may be Starbucks, so be polite and purchase something as you leave.
