Big Cedar Wilderness Trails

RIDE PITBULL. Especially if you are into flow and downhill. Amazing trail stewards that keep these trails ripping and shredding

Rode Big Cedar for the first time in many years on March 1, 2019. Was on of my favorites in the DFW area. Trail head in a new location which was deep in a neighborhood but it's clearly marked and has plenty of parking. Some trails needed some TLC with over growth. The pump track and large jumps are completely over taken by the woods now. Some wooden structures are sketchy with broken boards and some wobbled a bit. I still love the trails and you can spend hours out there. Super fun! Anywhere from smooth trails to technical.

For whatever reason reason, even though I've been in North Texas for years, I just now got around to trying out Big Cedar. First the bad... I echo other comments regarding lack of signage. I didn't have enough time to explore the entire trail system because I did get lost and wound up riding some loop sections more than once. Sometimes in the opposite direction, and didn't really know which direction was the right way. Having real-time GPS mapping didn't help much due to the many cutoffs, short cuts, unofficial cuts, etc. I came across 4 other riders... one broke down, and three others that were also lost. I'm sure the regulars know their way around, but it's tough for first timers or casual riders. That may be on purpose. :) As also mentioned by others, some of the man made technical features (TTF's) are not in the best of shape. A couple of ramps I went over didn't feel very solid. There are some pretty significant man made TTF's (for North Texas), but considering the questionable condition of the couple I crossed, along with my unfamiliarity of their general condition, I didn't traverse them. But more man made TTF's here than any other North Texas trail by far. Now the good... hand cut single track with a good share of climbing with switchbacks and descending, at least on the loops I rode. More than enough hard pack, roots and rocks of varying size to make for a good ride. While much of what I encountered was thickly wooded, I did come across a lengthy section that was wide open, with no technical features and a long gradual climb one way, and back down the other. Although a little boring, it did add diversity. If the man made TTF's were in better shape, they would really add to the ride, just not for the beginner, or even intermediate, rider.

The first time I came here, I rode with my friend and we ended up getting lost. The signage at the trail is not very good. We found an interesting downhill and dirt jump section. The bottom of the downhill had no signage as to where to go next and we had to wander around for a bit to find a trail. The second time I came here, I noticed the trail was different and some of the wooden features/ramps were in disrepair. Didn't get to ride the whole trail this time because my friend crashed and got hurt. Overall, there are much better trails in dfw that you could ride.

ride NorthShore

Went for the first time today. While there is quite a bit of signage, there are parts of the trail that seem to just end or split or cross other loops without clear directions. I got lost a few times and probably rode the wrong way a few other times. I never got into any kind of rhythm because I had to keep stopping to figure out where to go. I probably should have just stuck to the main "Ranger Loop" and avoided the inner loops all together.

The free ride / downhill area was "interesting." Some of the jumps seemed to be in poor shape, others looked wildly fun for someone with a little more courage than me. Beware, when you get to the bottom, it's not clear at all where to go next. I finally found a trail to take me back up but not before wandering in waist high grass and brush for while.

I don't want to get too down on this trail. There were some nice technical sections and some fast sections too. The high elevations (for Texas) is a nice change of pace. I'll try it again.

Skip it, maybe I had bad luck but lots os trail sections were closed, the signs are a mess. The very few sections open were not fun at all. The only fun one was sxwx or something like that. If you are visiting you should better go to boulder park.

Absolutely the best trail in North Texas. Trails at the top of the mountain are excellent for new riders, while all the trails off Ranger are of different difficult levels. This system has it all: cross country, downhill, BMX, and pump track. Heard the trail is temporarily closed due to some issues with the land owners ... When it gets cleared up, this trail is definitely worth traveling for.

5* big cedar is down right awesome!, for the amount of property it is on..love the rock gardens, good amount of technical climbs.. Shadow and Oscar have done great for a spot hidden away in dallas, and all the other folks who volunteer to keep the place up to par..really all trails are down right rad..
For what it is, i been riding here 3 years at this particular trail its a good azzkicker for xc folks..o yea, singletrack podcast is sweet while i sit at work

5* big cedar is down right awesome!, for the amount of property it is on..love the rock gardens, good amount of technical climbs.. Shadow and Oscar have done great for a spot hidden away in dallas, and all the other folks who volunteer to keep the place up to par..really all trails are down right rad..
For what it is, i been riding here 3 years at this particular trail its a good azzkicker for xc folks..

Went out to Big Cedar for the first time yesterday and I had an absolute amazing time!!! The folks out there were friendly and as far as the trails, I was impressed tremendously! They are very well kept and there are trails for beginners all the way to expert riders. Trail markings were super helpful, it was very well kept so there weren't a bunch of unavoidable branches, a rocks, or stumps, the trail was also virtually litter free, and they had tons of other great features. I really think that riding on these trails will definitely help me grow as a mountain biker. I wish I could give this trail more stars! Can't wait to go back!

I just started going to big cedar trails but I am in love hah! I plan on trying to go once a week as the trails are well kept up! Super fun trail! There are easier loops but the main loop is lil challenging for a beginner rider like me but still managed to have an amazing time and cruise through alot of parts just had trouble with some uphill parts! There are wooden bridges and small jumps if you choose to try them at some parts, it's super cool though! And I know it's texas it's hot.... but there is alot of shade your in awesome forest type stuff hah!

One of if not the best mantained trails in the Southwest. Something for all caliber of riders. Trail has good technical dropins and climbs. Technical difficulty verys from loop to loop, making it easy to choose your ride. I have riden numerous trails in other states and very few compare. A five star trail

One of the best trauls in dfw. Weather u want to climb ,decend ,jump dirt or train it has it all

Lots of miles of single track packed into this space. There is something for everyone, from DH style jump lines to beginner single track. One of the best trails in Dallas.

I was in town for a work conference. It was my first time visiting Dallas. I rented a bike from the folks at Bicycles Plus, and they pointed me to the Big Cedar Wilderness Trails. It was one of the few trails open with all of the recent rain. I'm glad they did. I did the main loop twice, and it was a blast. Fast, flowy, technical at times, and just a blast. I enjoyed the quick climbs and fast descents. I just followed the orange arrow and orange ribbons, and it was about 7 miles per loop.
Great job on these trails!

I love this trail more and more every time I ride it. Big Cedar really has become THE trail in DFW. I'm glad it's cracked the top five in the state -- it is certainly among the best trails in Texas. There is around 28 miles of trail now, and the entire system is designed in a very convenient loop manner with a main trail (Ranger) and loops branching off of it. There is a good amount of climbing, at least for north Texas, and there is a fair amount of technical challenge as well. If you're in DFW, and you can only ride one trail, this needs to be it.

I've ridden several other top-ranked Texas trail systems, and Big Cedar absolutely deserves to be in the group.

Super pumped on this spot. Rode here two years ago and now today. Thanks to Oscar the trail steward and Chance for showing us around. There has been a ton of work put into these trails and extremely fun. Can't wait till they open it all back up and we have more time!

The directions option will take you to the church parking lot alright but not the trailhead itself. I spent a good hour on a trail not sure which way I was going or where I was. With all the recent rains the trails were muddy and washed out on the hill in front of the church. It wasn't till a little over 3 miles of riding that I encountered someone. I stayed on their trail for awhile and all the sudden I was at the trailhead. That's when things got fun and trails were everywhere. It probably wouldn't hurt to ride with someone who knows the trials first because I was still pretty confused until I found the trailhead park. There are a few really tight squeezes between tree trunks on the trail but the lines are fast and filled with plenty of turns and ups and downs. Once it dries out I hope to venture back. I almost headed back to the truck in disappointment from the washed out and deeply rutted trail until I discovered the trailhead and all the other trails. Wow-

Rode here for a Dorba xc race. Was the first time on this trail and it was a blast. The race didn't cover all the trail sections, but heard there is a "downhill" section.