A Trail Through Time

Nestled in the heart of Dallas’ Design District, the Trinity Strand Trail follows the path of the original channel of the Trinity River—a natural waterway that once defined the city’s early geography. Before the Great Trinity River Levee project redirected the river in the 1920s, this channel meandered right through what is now one of the city’s most dynamic urban neighborhoods.

From Forgotten Channel to Revitalized Greenway

By the mid-20th century, much of the original river channel and surrounding lands had become largely under utilized. But in the early 2000s, a group of community leaders, planners, and environmental advocates saw an opportunity to reclaim the space as a vibrant urban trail—restoring green space, improving connectivity, and telling the untold story of Dallas’ natural and cultural evolution.

The Trinity Strand Trail was officially envisioned as a 7.8-mile multi-use trail system, weaving together urban design, floodplain resilience, and community pride. Today, the trail connects the Katy Trail, Turtle Creek, the Medical District, and the Design District, providing residents and visitors with access to nature, recreation, and history in the heart of the city.

We’re also part of The Loop Dallas, a 50-mile ‘loop’ connecting many of Dallas’ urban trails throughout the city.

The River That Shaped Dallas

Before levees and flood control channels, the Trinity River—and specifically this original channel—was the lifeline of early Dallas. The river supported trade, farming, and settlement. After devastating floods in the early 1900s, city leaders undertook one of the most ambitious public works projects in the country at the time: Moving the river and constructing levees to protect downtown.

This historic channel is now at the center of one of Dallas’ most exciting revitalization efforts.

Successful proponents of creating what we now know as the main stem of the Trinity, also created a rail bed alongside the channel to serve a new generation of warehousing and distribution, capitalizing greatly from their investments.

Many of those even stepped up to the plate as the new nonprofit Strand board was forming to begin master planning. The Crows, and more specifically the Industrial Properties Corp. actually donated the entire northernmost block of streets and median space to enable people along Hi Line to gain access at the Hi Line Plaza which will very soon connect directly across the channel to nearby hotels and other parts of the Trinity Strand Trail network.

Reconnecting Past and Present

Today, the Trinity Strand Trail is not just a recreational path—it’s a living story of urban transformation. From early indigenous routes and 19th-century settlements to 20th-century flood control and 21st-century redevelopment, this area reflects the layers of Dallas history.

Through art, signage, landscaping, and restoration efforts, the Trinity Strand Trail honors that history while offering a vision for a greener, more connected Dallas.

Come Experience It With Us

Whether you’re biking, walking, or just exploring, the Trinity Strand Trail invites you to experience the beauty, resilience, and deep roots of the Design District, Trinity River, and greater Dallas. As construction and improvements continue, we’re excited to invite you to become part of this incredible urban story.