The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) is located in the heart of the D/FW Metroplex along the Interstate 35E and Texas 121 corridors. LLELA has nearly 2,000 acres of tallgrass prairies and bottomland forests tucked into the soft rolling hills of north central Texas, with the Elm Fork of the Trinity River flowing through it all…The walking and hiking trails at LLELA are some of the most popular and diverse of Denton County. LLELA has five trails that offer a diverse set of natural environs, from wetlands trail loops around wetland water birds nesting areas, to kayak paddling trails, to primitive camping back country trails, to lowland forests and even a Bison herd.LLELA contains a variety of habitats, including prairies, bottomland hardwood forests, wetlands, and cross timbers forest. With such a diversity of habitats, there is a profusion of wildlife here. Mammals such as bobcats, whitetailed deer, and mink can be found, along with birds such as wild turkeys, painted buntings, and dozens of waterfowl species. LLELA is dotted with sloughs, wetlands, creeks, and dry channels, the landscape features originally wrought by the Elm Fork and its tributaries during flood events. These remain filled by rainwater and flooding, providing areas where you can find wood ducks and other waterfowl, as well as many turtles, wading birds,
and amphibians.Visitors to LLELA can enjoy:
Walk/Hike on one of our five nature trails.
Redbud Trail
Cottonwood Trail Cicada Trail (see Cicada Trail loop on EveryTrail.com)Video Tour http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgR7-POTKis&feature=channel Bittern Marsh Trail (Boardwalk under Construction) Back Country Trail (Trail under Development) Experience our Water Trails
Kayak Paddling Trail on Beaver Pond Kayak on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River
Trail Camping and fishing along the beautiful Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Exciting birding opportunities, including both migratory and resident species. LLELA has more than 275 species of birds that live or visit during the year.
Picnicking among the trees or in our large pavilion area.Weekend activities (see web site for schedule) Visit this Wonderful 1870's Pioneer Home (Minor-Porter Log House)
Experience Nature
Bison Tours
Bird walks Fishing in the Elm Fork Primitive tent campingKayak down the Elm Fork of the Trinity River Sail or Boat on Lake LewisvilleThe new Back Country Trail, currently under development, takes long strides across Denton County countryside, passing through stretches of sandhills, wetlands bird sanctuaries, and restored prairie. It's the land of broad skies, wildflowers and rolling grasslands. And wherever you go, you'll be surrounded by prairie and wetland wildlife, from bison and deer to beavers, ducks and hawks. When completed, the Back Country Trail will include primitive campsites, views along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, with a lazy current and loads of sandbars, the Elm Fork is popular for kayaking and canoeing when the water level is high enough—and warm enough—over the summer. The Back Country Trail passes through some pretty terrain that sees more hoof than foot traffic. Yet what makes the prairie so wild and expansive is precisely what gives the Backland Trail its dusty, leathered appeal. You get a taste of the forbidding route early settlers faced, except now on the comfort of a trail with welcoming towns every few miles. So strap on your gear and let the Backland Trail spur you into the Denton County countryside.
and amphibians.Visitors to LLELA can enjoy:
Walk/Hike on one of our five nature trails.
Redbud Trail
Cottonwood Trail Cicada Trail (see Cicada Trail loop on EveryTrail.com)Video Tour http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgR7-POTKis&feature=channel Bittern Marsh Trail (Boardwalk under Construction) Back Country Trail (Trail under Development) Experience our Water Trails
Kayak Paddling Trail on Beaver Pond Kayak on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River
Trail Camping and fishing along the beautiful Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Exciting birding opportunities, including both migratory and resident species. LLELA has more than 275 species of birds that live or visit during the year.
Picnicking among the trees or in our large pavilion area.Weekend activities (see web site for schedule) Visit this Wonderful 1870's Pioneer Home (Minor-Porter Log House)
Experience Nature
Bison Tours
Bird walks Fishing in the Elm Fork Primitive tent campingKayak down the Elm Fork of the Trinity River Sail or Boat on Lake LewisvilleThe new Back Country Trail, currently under development, takes long strides across Denton County countryside, passing through stretches of sandhills, wetlands bird sanctuaries, and restored prairie. It's the land of broad skies, wildflowers and rolling grasslands. And wherever you go, you'll be surrounded by prairie and wetland wildlife, from bison and deer to beavers, ducks and hawks. When completed, the Back Country Trail will include primitive campsites, views along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, with a lazy current and loads of sandbars, the Elm Fork is popular for kayaking and canoeing when the water level is high enough—and warm enough—over the summer. The Back Country Trail passes through some pretty terrain that sees more hoof than foot traffic. Yet what makes the prairie so wild and expansive is precisely what gives the Backland Trail its dusty, leathered appeal. You get a taste of the forbidding route early settlers faced, except now on the comfort of a trail with welcoming towns every few miles. So strap on your gear and let the Backland Trail spur you into the Denton County countryside.
Community Trips
This exciting trail winds through a mature bottomland hardwood forest with examples of large American Elms, Pecans, Green Ashes, Bur Oaks, and Shumard Oaks. The trail begins in the bottomland forest, and then loops through both wetlands and ponds, and finally takes you along the Elm Fork if the Trinity River. Spurs will take you to the low and high blinds where you can observe waterfowl and many other species of birds.Trail Loop...
The Pioneer Log House Tour is a .97 mile loop, you can also use the full Cottonwood Trail loop (1.48 miles) for a longer walk. Both provide access to LLELA’s 1870’s Pioneer Homestead.This is a walking tour of a wonderful fully restored 1870's furnished log home, a dugout, a smokehouse, and a barn. The tour begins at the LLELA Pavilion and proceeds down the Cottonwood Trail to the log house. From the...
The Cottonwood Trail starts at the Pavillion and is a 1.48 mile loop that provides access to LLELA’s 1870’s Pioneer Homestead which includes a furnished log home, a dugout, a smokehouse, a barn, and a garden.Popular with young families, this trail winds its way slowly from wetland to forest to prairie before looping back to the beginning. The Cottonwood Trail also provides access to the Beaver Pond and the Kayak Paddling Trail...
The Beaver Pond Kayak Trail is a new feature at LLELA for the whole family!Bring your kayak or canoe for a nature trail on water.The water is calm. The pond averages just a few feet in depth, so it is a great place for the young and learning to venture out and enjoy nature.Trail Loop - .92 mileDifficulty - Easy Paddling Water TrailSpecial Features - Interpretive Signs along the Kayak water trail.This...
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