Hiking near Fort Worth takes hikers from the bustling city along peaceful river-walk trails, serene shores of beautiful lakes, deep in the tranquil woods beneath the cool tree cover, up to the base of thundering waterfalls, and to the top of rugged summits. With such a large variety of hiking and seemingly endless hiking trails, Fort Worth is home to a large hiking community.
Here is a list of the top 8 hiking groups in Fort Worth for you to check out. Each of these groups has its own unique vibe and energy with hiking. The goals and events will differ because of the many different local hikers you will meet. As your hiking interests change over time, you can try out new groups that match your new hiking interests. Use this list as a starting point for Fort Worth hiking groups as there are definitely more groups you should check out that are not listed.
- North Texas Outdoors – 18,630+ members
- Random Adventures – 7,570+ members
- HIKING FRIENDS & FUN Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound – 4,860+ members
- Grapevine Hiking Excursions – 3,725+ members
- Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club – 3,460+ members
- River Legacy Park Fitness and Fun – 2,775+ members
- Marine Creek Lake (and other places….) Biking and Hiking – 340+ members
- Fort Worth Camping Club – 75+ members
North Texas Outdoors
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Grapevine, TX
Link: https://www.meetup.com/North-Texas-Outdoors/
Description: North Texas Outdoors is for those that love outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, backpacking, mountaineering, biking, kayaking, rock climbing and more. This group has hosted over 1,420+ events in the past and organizes multiple events each week.
Random Adventures
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Grand Prarie, TX
Link: https://www.meetup.com/RandomAdventures/
Description: Random Adventures is for those that believe life is too short to not see and try something different. They organize a wide variety of events ranging from hiking, skating, archery, rock climbing, horse back riding, dance, wine tasting, and many other activities. This group has hosted over 540+ events in the past with typically one event each month.
HIKING FRIENDS & FUN Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Flower Mound, TX
Link: https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Socializing/
Description: HIKING FRIENDS & FUN Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound is for those looking for hiking friends and fun. They enjoy nature hikes, urban hikes, park walking, lunch, or dinner socials. This group has hosted a staggering 1,910+ events in the past with many events each week.
Grapevine Hiking Excursions
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Grapevine, TX
Link: https://www.meetup.com/Grapevine-Hiking-Excursions/
Description: Grapevine Hiking Excursions takes hikers on guided hiking adventures to explore local ecology and scenic views along Grapevine Lake. They have hosted over 110+ events in the past with weekly events.
Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club
Cost to Join: Free
Location:
Link: https://www.meetup.com/GreaterFortWorthSierraClub/
Description: Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club is for those interested in day hikes, overnight camping, backpacking trips, canoe tripe, trail projects, conservation and many other outdoor activities. They also host organized workshops to help you learn about hiking gear, hiking safely, conservation, and more. They have hosted over 430+ events in the past with one event each month.
River Legacy Park Fitness and Fun
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Arlington, TX
Link: https://www.meetup.com/River-Legacy-Park-Fitness-and-Adventure/
Description: River Legacy Park Fitness and Fun is for people who like fitness or are adventure enthusiasts. They expect any conditioned level and will organize events for walking, hiking, running, cycling, kayaking, and other outdoor activities at River Legacy Park. This group has hosted more then 970+ events in the past with typically one event each week.
Marine Creek Lake (and other places….) Biking and Hiking
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Link: https://www.meetup.com/Marine-Creek-and-other-places-Biking/
Description: Marine Creek Lake (and other places….) Biking and Hiking is for people who want to get outside and do something! As their name implies they are focused mostly on hiking and biking. This group has hosted 50+ events in the past with typically one event each week.
Fort Worth Camping Club
Cost to Join: Free
Location: Bedford, TX
Link: https://www.meetup.com/Fort-Worth-Area-Camping-Club/
Description: Fort Worth Camping Club wants to create a camping family atmosphere and enjoy the company of other campers. This group has organized 60+ events in the past with one or two events each month.
Why should you join a Fort Worth hiking group?
Form a Routine
Joining a Fort Worth hiking group has many benefits, but one of the most important things it can help you with is forming a hiking routine. If you are looking to get out of your house or improve your hiking stamina then you can attend multiple events across different local hiking groups. There are groups that meet up consistently that can help you continue your hiking routine. There are some that meet in the middle of the week and some on weekends, so you have great flexibility when it comes to forming your hiking routine.
Stay in Hiking Shape
Another great benefit of joining a Forth Worth hiking group is the ability to stay in hiking shape or build it up. You can work your way up by attending more casual hikes and then progress to groups that organize more strenuous and challenging hikes. You also have the added benefit of attending events throughout the year, so the next time your friends message you out of the blue to go on a hike, you will be ready!
New Challenges
The third reason you should join a hiking group is that you will be presented with new hiking challenges. You can join a group that hikes at a fast pace and push your hiking pace to a new level. You can get tips from faster hikers on what they do to keep that pace in terms of hydration, nutrition, and training. You can also join groups that tackle more strenuous hikes such as intense elevation gain hikes or longer and tougher hikes. Tackling these new challenges with a hiking group is fantastic because you can get their support and tips during these challenging hiking adventures.
3 things to consider when joining a Fort Worth hiking group
Types of Hikes
Before you join a Fort Worth hiking group one of the most important things to consider is the types of hikes the group typically goes on. There are some groups that prefer more relaxing and casual hikes. Their goal is mainly to enjoy the outdoors at a leisurely pace. On the flip side, there are groups that choose more strenuous and challenging hikes. As you grow and learn as a hiker you can alternate between the two and gain valuable experience during these hikes.
Types of Events
Another key thing to consider is the types of events the group hosts. There are groups that only do short day hikes, there are groups that focus mainly on long backpacking trips, and there are groups that also do kayaking or climbing. Try out a bunch of different groups to see what mix you prefer from hiking and other outdoor activities. There are many groups to try out to see what is the best fit for you,
Meeting Location
The last, but certainly not least important thing to consider is the meeting location of their events. You should look at past events and see where the group typically meets up at. Find a group that has the most convenient meeting location for you. Another thing to think about is the hiking area they generally hike in as some groups will stick to in-city hikes and others will be oriented towards more out of town hikes.
Summary
Fort Worth has many wonderful hiking trails that bring hikers to marvelous waterfalls, right up to splendid lakes, through delightful forested trails, and so much more. These awesome moments nature provides for us are great, but they are elevated when shared with others. Fort Worth has many fantastic hiking groups where you will meet new hikers that will make the trails that much better.
The list above is only 8 of the many great hiking groups located in Fort Worth. This list is only just the beginning and there are other amazing hiking groups you should definitely go check out. As you attend different events and try out different groups, you will find new friends and new groups that align with your current hiking interests. Enjoy all of your hikes in Fort Worth!
