Fine Fresh Air

Lubbock's best parks, lakes, and trails for when you're feeling outdoorsy

Soak in the views at Caprock Canyons State Park.

Photo courtesy of Visit Lubbock

You may know Lubbock as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll legend Buddy Holly and home to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, but there's an au naturale side to Hub City that's just waiting to be explored.

From peaceful wildflower trails to stunning lakes and more, here's where to get out and about in Lubbock:

Lubbock Lake Landmark
This is true West Texas scenery at its most beautiful. Set off on 4.5 miles of trails, including the landmark's newest addition, the half-mile-long Llano Estacado Wildflower Trail.

Travel back 12,000 years on the Archeological Trail, which exhibits a virtually complete cultural sequence from the Clovis Period to Historic times and is maintained — and still excavated — by Texas Tech.

Time your hike for the evening and enjoy a colorful sunset, or join the Landmark After Dark Night Hike once a month to explore at night with a group.

Don't be surprised if you spot bison at Caprock Canyons State Park.Photo courtesy of Visit Lubbock

Caprock Canyons State Park
Less than two hours from Lubbock is this State Park, where bison roam the plains, bats roost in Clarity Tunnel, and you can explore 90 miles of trails.

Hike, bike, or even ride your horse through the 11 trails, which range in intensity and distance. Interesting stops abound along the way, including Fern Cave, Folsom Historical Site, Honey Flat Prairie Dog Town, and more.

When it's time to cool off, enjoy swimming, fishing, and no-wake boating in Lake Theo.

Buffalo Springs Lake
Billed as "Lubbock's most celebrated destination for lazy days, new adventures, and sensational sunsets," the lake offers fishing, boating, tent and RV campsites, nature paths, riding trails, and beaches.

Since 1982, the Llano Estacado Audubon Society’s Buffalo Springs Lake nature trails have provided 55 acres of magnificent natural elegance.

Mackenzie Park
Equipped with equestrian trails, a disc golf course, and Lubbock’s famous Prairie Dog Town, Mackenzie Park spans over 248 acres. Bring a blanket to lounge in the grass, grab veggies and feed the prairie dogs, or lace up your sneakers to enjoy the walking trails. Bonus: Mackenzie Park is animal-friendly and free to explore.

SUPLBK
Lubbock’s locally owned and only stand-up paddleboarding company is the perfect excuse to get on the water. SUPLBK is on Dunbar Historical Lake, one of Lubbock’s oldest bodies of water. Rent a stand-up paddleboard, one or two-person kayak, or an eight-person armada. A first-timer and family-friendly environment, bring your kids and pets along for an outing on calm waters.

To find more information on all that Lubbock has to offer, head over to VisitLubbock.org.

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DART News

DART to pause train service in downtown Dallas for one night this week

DART

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Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will temporarily suspend train service in the Central Business District (CBD) in downtown Dallas on Wednesday, December 10 beginning at 9:30 pm.

Regular service will be restored by Thursday, December 11 at 4 am.

DART is undergoing planned safety maintenance and testing that requires a shutdown of a portion of the system.

Trains will run as follows:

Red Line trains will run between Parker Road and SMU/Mockingbird and between EBJ Union and Westmoreland stations.
Blue Line trains will run between Downtown Rowlett and SMU/Mockingbird and between EBJ Union and UNT Dallas stations.
Green Line trains will run between Baylor and Buckner and between Victory and North Carrollton/Frankford stations.
Orange Line trains will run between Victory and DFW Airport stations.

For access to Parker Road, transfer to a Red Line train at SMU/Mockingbird.

Silver Line trains are not impacted.

Shuttle buses will be available every 20 minutes on the following routes:

For Green Line passengers, transfer to a shuttle bus at Victory or Baylor Station for stops at: Victory, West End, Pearl/Arts District, Deep Ellum and Baylor stations.
For Red, Blue and Orange Line passengers, transfer to a shuttle bus at EBJ Union or SMU/Mockingbird Station for stops at: EBJ Union, West End, Akard, St. Paul, Pearl/Arts District, CityPlace/Uptown, and SMU/Mockingbird stations.

DART recommends planning ahead if you plan to travel through the CBD Wednesday evening. Riders may need to transfer to a shuttle bus to complete their trip. Some trips may take a little longer than usual. DART staff, volunteers, and police officers will be at stations during this time.

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