Credit: Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
The next time you need a break from the calendars, computers and tablets, look no further than these Fort Worth area nature centers. From the dense trees of the River Legacy Science Center to the flat prairies in the Fort Worth Nature Center, Fort Worth is a hot spot for hiking, exploring and enjoying the beauty in nature.
Most of these centers are FREE, others charge an entrance fee, but all of them will be a place you’ll want to visit again.
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Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
Address: 9601 Fossil Ridge Road, Fort Worth
Hours:
Refuge
Winter (Oct-Apr) 8am – 5pm
Summer Weekdays (May-Sept)
7am – 5pm
Summer Weekends (May-Sept)
7am – 7pm
Hardwicke Interpretive Center
Year Round 9am – 4:30pm
Phone: 817-392-7410
Admission: $5 Adults (13-64)
$2 Children (3-12, under 3 FREE)
$3 Seniors (65+)
$1 Discount per person (with Military ID-Active/Retired)
The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R) is a natural area comprised of forests, prairies, and wetlands allowing you to step back in time and experience what the Fort Worth/Dallas Metroplex was like in the early 20th century.
River Legacy Science Center
Address: 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8am – 5pm
Phone: 817-860-6752
Admission: FREE
River Legacy Science Center is a wonder filled spot for exploring, watching and discovering the plants, animals and insects that are native to this area. Enjoy the park next door and walk the expansive grounds that is home to all kinds of wildlife in River Legacy.
Oliver Nature Park
Address: 1650 Matlock Road, Mansfield
Hours: 5 AM – 9 PM in March – October
5 AM – 6 PM in November – February
Phone: 817-276-4200
Admission: FREE to the park; programs are an extra fee
Oliver Nature Park provides many opportunities to enjoy nature! Programs include guided walks with a naturalist, exploration of all the plants of the park, investigations of insects, mammal tracking, bird watching, geocaching, night hikes, star gazing, geology studies, and many others.
Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park
Address: 411 Ball St., Grapevine
Hours: dawn to dusk
Phone: 817-410-3350
Admission: FREE
The Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park have the following amenities:
Walking trails
Sitting areas
Pond stocked with fish for viewing
Butterfly sanctuary
Beautiful flowers and landscaping
Plenty of trees
Plenty of green space and natural beauty
Colleyville Nature Center
Address: Mill Creek and Mill Wood Drive, Colleyville
Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset
Phone: 817-503-1180
Admission: FREE
This park includes 46 acres of natural refuge, nine ponds, 3.5 miles of multi-use trails, amphitheater, covered pavilion with a grill, rest benches, playground, and fishing pier.
Botanic Garden Fort Worth
Address: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth
Hours: Garden Center
Monday – Sunday 8am – 7pm
Japanese Garden
Monday – Sunday 9am – 7pm
Phone: 817-392-5510
Admission: 90% of the Garden is free
Japanese Garden (part of the Botanic Garden)
Admission:
Adult – $7.00
Child (ages 4-12) – $4.00
Child (3 and under) – free
Seniors (age 65+) – $5.00
Members – free
Enjoy the captivating beauty of the oldest botanic garden in Texas. Fort Worth’s Botanic Gardens are home to more than 2,500 species of plants in its 23 specialty gardens. Plan a visit to the world-renowned Japanese Garden, where the koi-filled pools, sculptured hillsides, crafted stonework and dramatic waterfalls provide a view of exotic conservation. Or explore the winding paths of luxuriant tropical foliage in the 10,000-square-foot Conservatory.
Next, check out: 10 Cheap Things to Do in DFW that You’ve Probably Never Done
