The Northaven Trail (NHT) is a 2.5 mile-long paved commuting and recreational trail in North Dallas. Completed in 2012 with funding from the City of Dallas, the NHT runs east-west along an Oncor electrical power line easement between Northaven Road and Royal Lane, connecting Valleydale Road (adjacent to the US 75 service road) to Preston Road.
The NHT provides a recreational amenity for thousands of homes in the Janmar and Hillcrest Forest neighborhoods. Several elementary and high schools are accessible from NHT, as is the Jewish Community Center and the popular North Haven Gardens plant nursery and gardening center. Numerous grocery, dining, and shopping opportunities found at the intersection of Preston Road and Royal Lane are accessible via Royalshire Drive, near the western trail head of the NHT. Local favorite Cindi’s Deli is accessible from the Eastern trailhead.
Because it runs in a power line easement, the NHT is relatively flat and straight. While the easement route offers very few mature shade trees due to power line maintenance requirements, the trailway is beautifully planted with turf, wildflowers and native grasses. Designers of the trial have also provided a broad array of appealing amenities, such as water fountains, rest areas, bicycle repair stations and benches.
Dallas County and the City of Dallas are conducting a feasibility study on a 5.5-mile extension of the trail to the west, which will connect Preston Road to Denton Drive. The County and the City are, in addition, conducting a separate feasibility study for the NHT to cross over US 75 and connect to the immensely popular White Rock Creek Trail. This bold plan would link NHT to the Forest Lane light rail station, White Rock Lake, and other popular destinations and points of interest.
The NHT is maintained by Dallas Parks and Recreation Department. A volunteer organization, Friends of Northaven Trail, supports the programming and beautification of the NHT.
Trailhead parking is available at Freda Stern Drive.
Great neighborhood trail perfect for family outing or a 3 to 6 mile run. Trail can connect to the White Rock trail allowing cyclist rides of 30 plus miles. Search the Northaven Trail website for special events and more information.
This trail has expansive views relative to a trail like the Katy Trail which is mostly surrounded by bamboo.
Northhaven Trail is great for walks or jogs. There is a wildflower program that keeps the mowers away and allows for several lots of thick wildflower growth.
For joggging I recommend getting out on the trail super early to avoid a traffic hiccup at Hillcrest. Usually before 7am that intersection is pretty quiet.
There is a nice amount of wildlife along the trail. On a full circuit trek in the early morning I will see at least 50 bunnies. And, where there are bunnies there are owls. I have heard on few occasions the distinct hoot of an owl. I've seen foxes and turtles as well.
This is my neighborhood trail and I really enjoy what it has to offer.
This trail is a couple of blocks from our house. Go on it fairly regularly with the kids. Aside from one big hill near Hilcrest, it is a fairly flat trail. Have to go on some city streets to be able to cross under 75 to connect to the White Rock Trail. Would be great if/when they connect to it directly, or extend westward.
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