Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area

The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) is located in the heart of the D/FW Metroplex along the Interstate 35E and Texas 121 corridors.

The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) is located in the heart of the D/FW Metroplex along the Interstate 35E and Texas 121 corridors. (See the Google map to the right for details)

LLELA has nearly 2,000 acres of tallgrass prairies and bottomland forests tucked into the soft rolling hills of north central Texas, with the Elm Fork of the Trinity River flowing through it all…The walking and hiking trails at LLELA are some of the most popular and diverse of Denton County.

LLELA has six trails (three new trails this year) that offer a diverse set of natural environs, from wetlands trail loops around wetland water birds nesting areas, to kayak paddling trails, to primitive camping back country trails, to lowland forests and even a Bison herd.

The LLELA Environment

The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) contains a variety of habitats, including prairies, bottomland hardwood forests, wetlands, and cross timbers forest. With such a diversity of habitats, there is a profusion of wildlife here. Mammals such as bobcats, whitetailed deer, and mink can be found, along with birds such as wild turkeys, painted buntings, and dozens of waterfowl species. LLELA is dotted with sloughs, wetlands, creeks, and dry channels, the landscape features originally wrought by the Elm Fork and its tributaries during flood events. These remain filled by rainwater and flooding, providing areas where you can find wood ducks and other waterfowl, as well as many turtles, wading birds, and amphibians.

The new Back Country Trail, currently under development, takes long strides across Denton County countryside, passing through stretches of sandhills, wetlands bird sanctuaries, and restored prairie. It’s the land of broad skies, wildflowers and rolling grasslands. And wherever you go, you’ll be surrounded by prairie and wetland wildlife, from bison and deer to beavers, ducks and hawks.

When completed, the Back Country Trail will include primitive campsites, views along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, with a lazy current and loads of sandbars, the Elm Fork is popular for kayaking and canoeing when the water level is high enough—and warm enough—over the summer.

The Back Country Trail moseys through some pretty terrain that sees more hoof than foot traffic. Yet what makes the prairie so wild and expansive is precisely what gives the Backland Trail its dusty, leathered appeal. You get a taste of the forbidding route early settlers faced, except now on the comfort of a trail with welcoming towns every few miles. So strap on your gear and let the Backland Trail spur you into the Denton County countryside.

Things To Do at LLELA
Visitors to LLELA can enjoy:

* Hiking on one of our five trails.
o Redbud Trail
o Cottonwood Trail
o Cicada Trail
o Bittern Marsh Trail (Boardwalk under Construction)
o Back Country Trail (Trail under Development)

* Kayak on the new Beaver Pond Kayak Trail

* Camping and fishing along the beautiful Elm Fork of the Trinity River.

* Exciting birding opportunities, including both migratory and resident species. LLELA has more than 275 species of birds that live or visit during the year.

* Canoeing or kayaking on the Elm Fork.

* Picnicking among the trees or in our large pavilion area.

* Weekend activities (see web site for schedule)

Visit this Wonderful Pioneer Home

* Minor-Porter Log House

Experience Nature

* Bison Tours
* Bird walks
* Fishing in the Elm Fork
* Primitive tent camping

Experience our Water Trails

* Kayak Paddling Trail on Beaver Pond
* Kayak down the Elm Fork of the Trinity River
* Sail or Boat on Lake Lewisville

LLELA has nearly 2,000 acres of tallgrass prairies and bottomland forests tucked into the soft rolling hills of north central Texas, with the Elm Fork of the Trinity River flowing through it all…The…more walking and hiking trails at LLELA are some of the most popular and diverse of Denton County. LLELA has five trails that offer a diverse set of natural environs, from wetlands trail loops around wetland water birds nesting areas, to kayak paddling trails, to primitive camping back country trails, to lowland forests and even a Bison herd.LLELA contains a variety of habitats, including prairies, bottomland hardwood forests, wetlands, and cross timbers forest. With such a diversity of habitats, there is a profusion of wildlife here. Mammals such as bobcats, whitetailed deer, and mink can be found, along with birds such as wild turkeys, painted buntings, and dozens of waterfowl species. LLELA is dotted with sloughs, wetlands, creeks, and dry channels, the landscape features originally wrought by the Elm Fork and its tributaries during flood events. These remain filled by rainwater and flooding, providing areas where you can find wood ducks and other waterfowl, as well as many turtles, wading birds, and amphibians.Visitors to LLELA can enjoy:

Walk/Hike on one of our five nature trails.

Redbud Trail

Cottonwood Trail Cicada Trail (see Cicada Trail loop on EveryTrail.com)Video Tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgR7-POTKis&feature=channel Bittern Marsh Trail (Boardwalk under Construction) Back Country Trail (Trail under Development) Experience our Water Trails

Kayak Paddling Trail on Beaver Pond Kayak on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River

Trail Camping and fishing along the beautiful Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Exciting birding opportunities, including both migratory and resident species. LLELA has more than 275 species of birds that live or visit during the year.

Picnicking among the trees or in our large pavilion area.Weekend activities (see web site for schedule) Visit this Wonderful 1870’s Pioneer Home (Minor-Porter Log House)

Experience Nature

Bison Tours

Bird walks Fishing in the Elm Fork Primitive tent campingKayak down the Elm Fork of the Trinity River Sail or Boat on Lake LewisvilleThe new Back Country Trail, currently under development, takes long strides across Denton County countryside, passing through stretches of sandhills, wetlands bird sanctuaries, and restored prairie. It’s the land of broad skies, wildflowers and rolling grasslands. And wherever you go, you’ll be surrounded by prairie and wetland wildlife, from bison and deer to beavers, ducks and hawks. When completed, the Back Country Trail will include primitive campsites, views along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, with a lazy current and loads of sandbars, the Elm Fork is popular for kayaking and canoeing when the water level is high enough—and warm enough—over the summer. The Back Country Trail passes through some pretty terrain that sees more hoof than foot traffic. Yet what makes the prairie so wild and expansive is precisely what gives the Backland Trail its dusty, leathered appeal. You get a taste of the forbidding route early settlers faced, except now on the comfort of a trail with welcoming towns every few miles. So strap on your gear and let the Backland Trail spur you into the Denton County countryside.

https://sites.google.com/site/trailsofdentoncounty/Home/trails-at-llela-1

https://www.ias.unt.edu/llela/main_frame.htm