Picture this: A vacation complete with peaceful and picturesque walks, winding bike trails and year-round opportunities for fishing and golfing. This nature lovers’ vacation isn’t a dream—it’s a reality in Cleburne, Texas, home to dozens of walking and bike trails, scenic parks and freshwater fishing. If it’s time for you to unwind and get in touch with nature, book your next retreat in Cleburne, Texas.
Cleburne State Park
Start your trip at Cleburne State Park, where recreational opportunities are everywhere you look. The park is situated around the 116-acre Cedar Lake. Swimming, fishing, kayaking and canoeing are year-round activities here with kayak and SUP rentals available on-site. You can even borrow fishing gear from the park and catch freshwater favorites like largemouth bass, catfish and crappie—no license required. The shallow areas of Cedar Lake are perfect for families and groups to swim and play in, and the park is only 30 minutes southwest of Fort Worth.
If you want to enjoy a night under the stars, the park has 6 miles of wilderness along with several camping sites. The sites include screened shelters, hookups for RVs, and water and electricity. These amenities make it a perfect camping site for beginners or advanced campers.
On your visit to the 528-acre Cleburne State Park, you can enjoy sightseeing along each walking path; it’s a great area to spot deer and other local wildlife. You can also get your adrenaline pumping with a high-intensity workout on hilly mountain bike trails.
One of the things locals love about Cleburne State Park is how uncrowded it is. If you are looking for a relaxing vacation that will help you unwind from the hustle of your everyday routine, you will feel at peace in this beautiful park.
Must-Visit Parks and Trails
Besides Cleburne State Park, the city has other parks to roam and wander. A fantastic place to enjoy the weather is on a walking tour at Buffalo Creek Trail. This paved walking path has plenty of benches for you to sit, pause and admire the beautiful sounds of the creek, and historic markers can tell you about Buffalo Creek’s history as a watering stop for cattle drives along the Chisolm Trail. The Buffalo Creek Trail runs right through the middle of Cleburne, starting behind a First Financial Bank and meandering to Hulen Park.
Hulen Park has several walking paths for your explore and see the magnificent foliage. Two laps around the outside path of the park are approximately one mile, but you can enjoy several paved routes through the park to get immersed in the refreshing atmosphere. Visiting during the summer? The Hulen Park Concert Series takes place the month of June. Keep this in mind and pack blankets or lawn chairs to plan your afternoon around a lively musical experience.
When you’re ready to cool off, throw on your bathing suit and head to Splash Station. Splash Station is a waterpark attached to Hulen Park and has a lazy river, whirlpool, water playgrounds, the Aqua Climb rock wall, and even covered areas for you to lounge in and embrace your vacation.
If you’re looking for breathtaking outdoor sights, pack your camera and spend an afternoon at Winston Patrick McGregor Park. This 10-acre park is designed as a botanical haven that’s complete with native plants and a rose garden. It also contains a children’s garden to entertain younger visitors, and its gazebo is often used for events and as an outdoor wedding venue. Bring a blanket and enjoy Cleburne Shakespeare in the Park presented by The Cleburne Chamber of Commerce & Plaza Theatre Company. Winston Patrick McGregor Park also has plenty of space and opportunities for educational and recreational activities.
Two other local favorites, Buddy Stewart Park and Carver Park, are restorative places you can enjoy with family and friends. Buddy Stewart Park has multiple sports fields and plenty of wide-open space. It’s located at one end of Lake Pat Cleburne, a 1,558-acre recreational body of water. There are four free public access boat ramps around Lake Pat Cleburne, and fishing is permitted from the banks as well as out on the water. It’s a peaceful spot to test out your paddleboarding and kayaking skills.
Carver Park is a fantastic space for kids, complete with playgrounds, picnic tables, a walking track and a splash pad with festive water features. The playing fields have lights, so you can keep the games and fun going into the evening.
Cleburne Golf Links
When you’ve had your fill of hiking, biking and fishing in the great outdoors, it’s time to check out a golf course ranked by GolfAdvisor.com as one of the best in Texas: Cleburne Golf Links.
Leon Howard designed this course around the hilly terrain of Lake Pat Cleburne, making it both a challenging and visually interesting par-72 course. All 18 holes are landscaped with Bermuda Grass, and the year-round sunny weather in Cleburne means you can practice your skills no matter the season. Aside from being a fabulous course, Cleburne Golf Links is beloved by locals for two things: The extremely friendly staff and the amazing burger at Cleburne Golf Links Grille.
Entertainment
Want to be outdoors but take a break from recreation? Catch a Cleburne Railroaders baseball game. The Railroaders are an independent team that plays in the American Association. Watching a game is a great way to sit back and relax for a few hours while still enjoying the beautiful weather at The Depot at Cleburne Station.
Finally, if you want to learn about the history of Cleburne during your trip, visit Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum. The museum uses historic buildings and interactive exhibits—including a blacksmith’s shop, garden and one-room schoolhouse—to teach visitors about Cleburne’s pioneers and Native Americans.
So if you’re looking to escape your routine and reconnect with nature, Cleburne is the place to be. From walking and biking paths to water sports and golf, this historic gem is a refreshing spot for nature lovers to unwind.