Campion Trail (North)

The Campion Trail (North) is a moderately trafficked, multi-use trail (walking, running, biking) that runs along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. It's relatively flat (even for Dallas) and consists of both wooded and unshaded sections. Plenty of benches and spots where you can view the river make the trail pleasant in its entirety, or when divided into several smaller divisions as it travels through a succession of parks. There are several parking areas, restrooms, and water fountains along the way. As an added treat, the proximity to the water attracts lots of water fowl and visitors can also find short sections of nature path that parallel the paved trail. From north to south, the trail passes through the following divisions: Sam Houston Trail Park: The Campion Trail North begins at the north end of the park, just off of E. Valley Ranch Parkway. Visitors are presented with the option of sticking to the main route or taking the Autre Trail for a short detour. The southern end of the park has a large parking lot and makes a good spot to start. Richardson Grove: There is a small parking lot and several pavilions located in Richardson Grove Park. This is a good place to start a three mile loop up to the north end of Sam Houston Trail Park. Keenan's Crossing Park: Keenan's Crossing park is the only stretch of the Campion Trail that does not have a parking lot associated with it. You can reach it by hiking south from Richardson Grove or north from Spring Creek Trail Park. Either way, its worth the trip as this is arguably the most scenic section of the trail. Spring Trail Park: You can park in the south end of the Irving North Police Station and take a short access sidewalk to get to the trail in Spring Creek trail Park. Bird's Fort Trail: Bird's Fort Trail Park extends from the road crossing at California crossing Road and extends northward under Northwest Highway to a low water crossing. There is a large pavilion on the trail with a parking lot, restrooms, and water. Most of this section of trail is between the Trinity River and Riverside Drive. California Crossing Park: This final section of trail starts just south of the California Crossing Road and travels a short distance to reach a small parking lot on the other side of a shady grove of trees. There are restrooms, but no water at the trailhead.