Joe Pool Lake & Walnut Creek Paddling Trail

Trail Access

Navigating the Trail

Trail Length: ~5 miles (roundtrip from launch to 360 bridge)

Float Time: ~2 - 4 hours (depending on water level, flow rate and wind speed)

Please note: It is approximately 2.5 miles from Loyd Park down Walnut Creek to Highway 360, but paddlers can choose to return at any point for a shorter trip.

Trail Description

This 4.9-mile trail offers a spectacular outdoor experience for nature lovers, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, families, and paddlers of all skill levels (children should be accompanied by an adult).  Once you reach the HWY 360 overpass, turn around and enjoy the lazy current and prevailing southerly wind on your paddle back!

Private Property

Respect private property by not trespassing or littering and keeping noise levels down. This river is classified as navigable, which permits public use of the streambed and, if necessary, the banks to portage any hazard. Any other use of private river banks without permission of the landowner can be considered trespassing. Under Texas Penal Code (§30.05), criminal trespass occurs when one enters property after receiving notice not to enter. Notice includes verbal notice, a fence, sign(s), purple paint on posts or trees, or the visible presence of crops grown for human consumption.

Trail Map

Things to Do and See

Fishing

Joe Pool Lake has fair populations of white bass, crappie, and largemouth bass.  White bass and crappie can be caught using jigs and spoons attached to medium and light action fishing equipment fished in open water and close to bridges.  Largemouth bass can be caught using medium to heavy action fishing equipment using soft plastics fished around aquatic vegetation and standing timber.

Wildlife and Ecology

Starting from the shores of the lake in Loyd Park, this 4.9 mile trail crosses a bit of open water, takes you past two islands, and up the winding, shaded waters of Walnut Creek.  Along the way you will experience flora and fauna that you might not readily associate with life in DFW.  This area is located at a crossroads (ecotone, or edge) between the Blackland Prairie and the Eastern Crosstimbers ecoregions.  As a result, there is a diverse mix of plants from both ecoregions found here. This trail offers excellent opportunities for bird watchers, including water fowl, herons, osprey, hawks, songbirds, and more.  Bobcat, beaver, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, possum, rabbits, and many other mammals are spotted on a regular basis.  Turtles, frogs and other aquatic life abounds.  Fishing along the trail is some of the finest that Joe Pool Lake has to offer.

Rentals and Shuttles

Flatwater Kayak

Daren and Kristi Payne, 817-451-9230
www.flatwaterkayak.com
Services offered: Rental of Victory Blast Kayaks, Life Vests, and Paddles

Kayak Instruction, Inc.

Dave Holl, 972-412-7691
www.kayakinstruct.com
Services offered: whitewater kayak sales and rentals for the Dallas Wave

KayakPower

214-669-1663
www.kayakpower.com
Offers kayak and canoe rentals, also guided trips and paddling instruction. Only available for groups of 12 or more with advance reservations.

Paddle Bound River Outfitters

Jimmy and Edie Gray, 817-282-3135
Colleyville, TX 76034
www.paddlebound.com
Services offered: Canoe/Kayak Sales, Rentals (canoes/kayaks, trailers, life jackets, paddles), Guided Trips & Instruction

Trinity River Expeditions

214-941-1757
www.canoedallas.com
Services offered for groups of 10 paddlers or more: Guided trips, rental of canoes & kayaks, shuttle service, trailer rental

Cutter Aquatics

Phone 817-354-6853
www.CutterAquatics.com
Provider of Quality Instruction in Kayaking and Canoeing
ACA & USCA Certified Instruction
American Red Cross Authorized Provider

Mountain Sports

2025 W. Pioneer Pkwy
Arlington, TX 76013-6005
1-800-805-9139 or 817-461-4503
http://www.mountainsports.com
Services offered: canoe and kayak sales

Partnership

This trail was made possible through a partnership between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the City of Grand Prairie Parks & Recreation Department- Lake Parks Division.