Take a break from the routine of big-city life and get outdoors to enjoy all the glory of a stunning Texas prairie. Only 40 minutes outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Cleburne has a pastoral, country setting that makes it your adventure playground in North Texas. All businesses are open and social distancing is easy—and doesn’t have to ruin the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful summer weather.
Swimming and sunbathing are obvious musts at Lake Pat Cleburne, but you can (and should) easily explore the area by camping, paddling, hiking, biking, fishing and golfing—not to mention the town’s museums and live music. Known for beautiful skies and wide-open spaces, Cleburne is a haven if you’re looking to spend your summer vacation outdoors with minimal interaction.
Treat yourself to this stunning landscape by taking advantage of these seven outdoor activities in Cleburne.
1. Visit an outdoor museum.
Experience history without ever stepping foot indoors.
The Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum & Big Bear Native American Museum have al fresco exhibits that can be enjoyed in nature on the shores of Lake Pat Cleburne. The Chisholm Trail was a famous path used to drive cattle over land in the late 19th century and is commemorated at this museum as an experience of early Western settlers. Check out the working blacksmith shop, a stagecoach, 1800s schoolhouse, teepees and the original Johnson County courthouse. They’ve also added a deck for bird watchers for budding ornithologists looking to check more species off their list.
The Big Bear Native American Museum boasts a collection of Native American artifacts that date back 13,000 years ago. The property is named after Leonard "Big Bear" Beal, a local who studied Native American history and donated his vast collection to the museum. There are plenty of grounds outside to peruse.
2. Go fish!
Looking to hook flathead catfish, crappie or white bass? Whether you’re drift fishing, or casting from brush piles or shallow-diving crankbaits fished on the riprap,
Lake Pat Cleburne is the perfect 1,500-acre body of water to do it all just east of Cleburne. There are boat ramps on either side of the lake and bank fishing access for all kinds of anglers.
Tip: Cedar Lake in Cleburne State Park also allows guests to borrow fishing gear and catch freshwater favorites like largemouth bass and more—no license required.
3. Enjoy hiking and biking.
With flat, open spaces and rolling hills, Cleburne becomes the ultimate destination for cycling and biking. Feel the cool air rush by as you speed along trails and across wooden ramps.
Each July, the annual
Goatneck Bike Ride usually attracts 2,000 riders from around the country. This year it will be a virtual ride due to the pandemic, but you can join along from afar and come for the real thing in 2021.
If walking is your thing, take a stroll along
Buffalo Creek Trail, where a paved walking path winds along a picturesque creek. Historic markers will guide you through the area’s storied past. For those looking to amp up their hiking or biking experience,
Cleburne State Park has 5.5 miles of bike trails throughout the 28-acre park. The park’s 116-acre spring-fed lake is a Zen-filled backdrop for those looking to get out in nature.
4. Cool down.
Swimming at Lake Pat Cleburne is a rite of passage during summertime. The cool waters are enjoyed by swimmers, sunbathers and jet-skiers alike. Likewise, there’s no need to fret over the little ones at Cedar Lake, thanks to its shallow areas that are perfect for families and groups to swim and play in. And since it’s only 30 minutes southwest of Fort Worth, you could be relaxing at the shore in no time.
If you’ve got kiddos, throw on your bathing suit and head to
Splash Station, a waterpark attached to Hulen Park with a lazy river, whirlpool, water playgrounds and the Aqua Climb rock wall.
Paddling has been such a popular activity during the pandemic that kayaks and canoes are sold out everywhere. Instead of buying your own, the
Friends of Cleburne State Park have recently installed a self-service rental machine with single and double kayaks, plus paddleboards. Paddlers can choose between two-
and four-hour rentals and get out on the water for the day.
5. Tee off.
Looking to hit the links this summer?
Cleburne Golf Links sits on the banks of Lake Pat Cleburne. Take in the view of the water as you tee off to play 18 holes on a par-72 course. Even if putting is more your style of play, there’s a course for you. Leon Howard designed this course around the hilly terrain of Lake Pat Cleburne, making it both a challenging and visually interesting experience.
6. Must-See Murals.
While exploring Cleburne, be sure to notice the vibrant murals that bring its buildings and walls to life.
Cleburne’s past is honored in Wright Plaza with murals by Cleburne’s own Stylle Read, a Western artist that specializes in murals. Historical highlights include renderings of the Johnson County courthouses in 1854, 1883, and 1913, as well as cattle drives, the 1906 baseball team, locomotives and aviation firsts. Another Stylle Read mural is set in the 1950’s with a blue and white ’47 clipper bus. The mural is painted on the building purchased by the Central Texas Bus Line which was remodeled into a bus station in 1933.
An ode to Cleburne can be seen at Bennett’s Printing by artist Kristen Soble. The side of the building makes the perfect backdrop for your next social post with built in hashtags (#bettertogether).
Celebrate a loved one with the beautiful “Shannon’s Wings,” painted by Cleburne native, Kyle Range. The mural located behind 210 N. Main Street, honors the life of the owner’s daughter and includes her initials, doves and butterflies. Years ago, this building housed a motorcycle shop, so the painting includes nods to Harley-Davidson as well as local ties with the Santa Fe locomotive and cattle drives of the Chisholm Trail.
At the Gone with the Wind Remembered Museum, “never pass up new experiences… they enrich the mind.” Three must-see murals include the silhouettes of Rhett and Scarlett as you enter, the famous couple come to life with the use of real rose bushes, and a replica of Tara that fans go crazy for.
7. Dine al fresco.
Meals are served with a view in Cleburne, with many restaurants boasting outdoor patios and decks. If you’d rather order take-out or to-go and dine outside in beautiful, wide-open spaces, that’s available too.
La Cima Mexican Cuisine is a Mexican-food lover’s favorite, offering takeout as well as outdoor seating on its expansive deck. Sit outside with a glass of sangria, pitcher of margarita or cold brew and devour their chimichangas, indulgent flautitas or a lovely plate of salmon veracruz served with cilantro fried rice.
There are plenty of other ways to connect with nature and social distance in Cleburne, Texas. From a driving tour through historic homes to driving a boat across our waters, and everything in between, explore this stunning area that’s only a short drive from the hustle and bustle of city life in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington and Irving.