Our photo scavenger hunt at Oak Cliff Nature Preserve (OCNP) is designed for all ages. It’s a great way to get some fresh air, some exercise, and a much-needed, new perspective. Tasks do not have to be completed in order, and we recommend spreading them out over multiple visits to OCNP. It’s too hot to do it all in one day! Some of these are specific places at OCNP. Others are simply fun ways to enjoy the preserve. Snap a photo and tag @texaslandconservancy when you accomplish each task – make sure to add the location as Oak Cliff Nature Preserve.

Make sure you have our interactive trail map pulled up on your phone, and remember to wear a mask and practice social distancing (at least 6 feet) while enjoying the trails at OCNP.

As a reminder, OCNP is open dawn to dusk. Dogs are welcome on a leash. Bring plenty of water! Take all your trash home with you, and remember that there are no restroom facilities. For more trail info, CLICK HERE.

Oak Cliff Nature Preserve Scavenger Hunt

The Trailhead

Welcome to OCNP! We’re glad you’re here. This 121-acre preserve is owned by Texas Land Conservancy, a statewide conservation nonprofit. While you’re here you can enjoy over 8 miles of trails maintained by our dedicated volunteers. Snap a photo at our trailhead.

Eyes of a Child

Remember when you first explored nature? Whether you were two-years old or today-years old, find that sense of wonder as you explore this wild oasis in the heart of DFW. Snap a photo of you (or a little one) enjoying nature

Flowers or Fruit

Even in the heat of summer, something is blooming at OCNP. Or if you’d prefer, look for the fruit of the plants at OCNP (acorns, walnuts, beautyberry, prickly pear tunas, etc.). Try to identify plants with iNaturalist, and don’t forget to visit OCNP during the spring for a full show of wildflowers. Snap a photo of something blooming or fruiting.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

Don’t worry, it’s just a metal work of art! Along the White Trail you can find our resident arachnid. Props to TLC member and artist Randy Lisbona for this creation – read about how this incredible sculpture came to be at OCNP. Snap a photo with the metal spider.

Hug a Tree

From scrubby Ashe Juniper (cedar) to towering Pecans, OCNP is full of trees that cool the air, regulate water flow, and filter pollutants. Research shows that having access to urban green spaces with trees can improve physical and mental health—for example, spending time in green spaces like OCNP has been shown to decrease high blood pressure and alleviate stress. Snap a photo of a tree and take a deep breath of clean air.

Through the Looking Glass

Along the Yellow Trail is an area that seems to be right out of the pages of Alice in Wonderland. Invasive ivy has covered the ground and several of the trees to create an enchanting scene. Snap a photo of this ivy-covered wonderland (white rabbits optional).

Work It

Exploring OCNP is not only a great way to enjoy nature; it’s also a fantastic way to exercise. Whether you are walking, running, or biking, just keep moving to get that blood pumping! Snap a photo of your workout, even if it is not your main reason for visiting OCNP, and don’t forget to stay hydrated!

Pocket Prairies

You can beat the heat by walking through the shady woodlands at OCNP, but there’s amazing diversity to be found in the pocket prairies throughout the preserve. While we recommend staying on the trail for the safety of visitors and plant life, there are great places to strike a pose. Snap a photo at one of OCNP’s pocket prairies.

Don’t Mess With OCNP

Always make sure you practice “Leave No Trace” when you visit the preserve, but also consider leaving OCNP better than you found it. Even picking up one extra piece of trash, makes a huge difference. Hiking with friends or family? Bring a couple trash bags and make it a game to see who can pick up the most trash during your hike. Snap a photo with a piece of litter you are packing out with you.

The Playground

Our partners at the Dallas Off-Road Biking Association (@DORBA) have done a fantastic job of maintain the 8+ miles of trails at OCNP. They‘ve also built an area called the Playground for working on their skills. Even if you prefer to keep both feet on the ground, we have much respect for the talent of these riders. Snap a photo at the Playground.

Rock and Roll

OCNP is made up of woodlands, pocket prairies, and riparian creek buffers, with plenty of rocky outcrops along the way. These rocks make great photo ops, or places to rest. Strike a pose on a rock and snap a photo.

The Animal Kingdom

Even in the center of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country, wildlife thrives, and the green space in OCNP is a refuge for them. As you are exploring the preserve, listen for the songs of birds, the buzzing of insects, or the quick scampering of a lizard or small mammal. Again, consider utilizing iNaturalist for this challenge! Keep your distance but snap a photo of an animal that calls OCNP home.

The Artsy Area

“I can’t believe there’s a pink Christmas tree at OCNP!” We hear it all the time. The Artsy Area/Log Jam/Oak Cliff Cemetery are all names for this unique part of the preserve. Learn more about art at OCNP. Snap a photo of the Artsy Area.

Tree Gap

There are many spots along the trails at OCNP where it seems like the trees parted just perfectly to allow travelers to pass through. Snap a photo of your favorite tree gap at OCNP.

The Crossing

There are several creeks that flow through OCNP and empty in to Five Mile Creek just south of the preserve. Although the creeks are usually dry in the summer, the creek crossings along the trail have bridges of various sizes and styles built by our amazing volunteers. Snap a photo on a bridge.

The Circle of Life

From the breakdown of plant litter by worms to mushrooms that have the unusual ability to digest dead wood, the work of decomposition done by scavengers, various invertebrates, and microbes serves to complete the life cycle by liberating and making use of the nutrients locked in dead plants and animals. In this way, death makes life possible. Again, consider utilizing iNaturalist for this challenge! Snap a photo of something decomposing or making the decomposition process possible.

Spread the Love

We like to think OCNP is a hidden gem in North Texas, but wouldn’t it be great to share it with a friend? Snap a photo with someone that you enjoy exploring OCNP with or tag someone that you’d like to introduce OCNP to!