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Print Friendly MapThe Santa Fe Trail is a part of the City of Dallas trails system. This 12-foot-wide, 4.3 mile concrete surface trail connects White Rock Lake to Deep Ellum, Fair Park, and Downtown Dallas.
Multiple parks throughout lower east Dallas lie on the trail route (a former railroad right of way). It currently connects to both the White Rock Lake Park Loop Trail and the Union Pacific Trail. At the southern end of the trail, a 0.6 mile rail-with-trail sections runs along an active railroad line.
Parking is available at White Rock Lake, 2121 Winsted Dr and at Willis C. Winters Park, along N Glasgow Dr.
See TrailLink Map for more detailed information.
Lots of shade and fun near White Rock, once you pass Woodrow Wilson High there is less shade and many stop signs for car traffic, I am giving 4 stars because of the stop signs.
I love that this trail and others in Dallas are almost completely independent of automobile traffic and we still need many many more like it, but I have to point out one HUGH mistake. Every time that the trail crosses a residential type road, there is a stop sign for the bikers on the trail and just a yield sign for the cars on the road. This is exactly opposite of how a bike trail should work.
The route is smooth and paved. Great for pulling a bike trailer. It’s downhill from Deep Ellum to White Rock and obviously uphill on the return. Lol. Overall great out door activity for everyone.
There are a few areas where you have to pedal hard to go up a hill, but for the most part the trail is pretty flat. Beautiful ride!
Connects to White Rock Lake as well if you want to continue.
As you get closer to the Deep Ellum end, there are a handful of stops signs you'll have to endure due to main roads, but there are crosswalks and safety precautions.
Our first ride on our new bikes was this one. Loved it! A lot of great shade in the afternoon. A great ride to just get out and enjoy the day. Kept up very nicely and plenty of space for walkers and riders.
This is a great, well maintained trail, that extends from downtown Dallas to White Rock Lake. There are a couple of restaurants along the way that provide a nice stop. It's not nearly as crowded as other trails in Dallas. Their are 2 crossings that have well lit and safe intersections near a school. It is a great deal for a commuter who has to work downtown and may lead in East Dallas. It also provides access to Deep Ellum.
The Santa Fe Trail branches off of the White Rock Lake Loop Trail near the latter's southern end. It passes through parts of Hollywood Heights, Lakewood, Mount Auburn, and other neighborhoods before terminating a couple blocks from Deep Ellum, just north of the DART Green Line tracks. From that point you can turn right (there's now signage) and be in Deep Ellum shortly.
The trail is mostly flat, except for a long incline beginning at the abandoned trestle about 3/4 mile from the lake. It doesn't curve much after that; it used to be a Santa Fe rail line, which is where it gets its name. You have to cross a few intersections with either stop signs or full traffic signals the farther south you go. There's almost no water directly on the trail; you have to go a bit off of it into nearby parks and playgrounds to find fountains. Otherwise, it's pretty pleasant, though not lighted at night. Go with a buddy then. It's fairly safe during the day.
Too many stops for street crossings closer to downtown. Nice once you get a couple miles from WRL.
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