Cottonwood Bend Park
Rate this placeNearby: Collin Square Park Timberbrook Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Cottonwood Bend Park is a popular recreational area located in the state of Texas.
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Summary
It is situated in the city of Cedar Hill, which is around 20 miles southwest of downtown Dallas. The park covers an area of over 250 acres and offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.
One of the main reasons to visit Cottonwood Bend Park is for its natural beauty. The park is home to several scenic trails that wind through dense forests and alongside the Trinity River. Visitors can hike, bike, or horseback ride along these trails while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
In addition to its natural beauty, Cottonwood Bend Park also offers several points of interest for visitors to explore. These include a fishing pier, a playground, picnic areas, and several pavilions for hosting events or gatherings. There is also a disc golf course and a dog park for those looking for more active pursuits.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the park was once home to a cottonwood tree that was over 100 years old. Unfortunately, the tree was destroyed in a storm in 2017, but the park still bears its name in honor of its former majesty.
The best time of year to visit Cottonwood Bend Park is during the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities for visitors to enjoy in all seasons.
Overall, Cottonwood Bend Park is a great destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of Texas while engaging in a variety of outdoor activities.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Collin Square Park
Timberbrook Park
Jupiter Ballfields
Bethany Lakes Park
Bethany Ridge Park