Camp at Waggin' Tail Ranch RV Resort in Pilot Point, Texas and your dog gets a private fenced yard at most sites, a dog agility course, and a swimming pond, but the dog-friendly experiences within 35 miles of your site go well beyond the campground itself. North Texas has a surprising density of off-leash parks, dog-welcoming trails, and canine-specific facilities that most visitors from outside the area don't know about. Here's the full guide for dogs and their people.
On-Site at Waggin' Tail Ranch
Before heading farther afield, take stock of what's waiting right outside your door, because it's genuinely more than most RV parks offer:
- Private fenced yard at most sites: full perimeter fence, secure gate. No leash needed in your own yard.
- Dog agility course: jumps, tunnels, stepping pads, and contact obstacles. Free use for guests.
- Swimming pond: natural pond on the property with dock access. Dogs are welcome.
- Farm animals: goats, chickens, and other animals. Supervised visits with dogs on leash.
- Dog wash station: rinse off the pond and the trail before heading back to your site.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park Greenbelt (7.6 Miles)
The Ray Roberts Lake State Park Greenbelt is a 20+ mile multi-use trail system connecting the Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch units of Lake Ray Roberts State Park along the Elm Fork Trinity River. It's one of the longest and most scenic trail systems in North Texas, passing through prairie, woodland, and riparian habitat.
Dogs are welcome on the greenbelt on leash. The trail crosses several creek sections with water access, ideal for dogs that like to cool off mid-hike. Trail surface alternates between natural dirt, gravel, and compacted limestone. Mountain bikers also use the trail, so keep dogs close on the pass-through sections.
Access from Waggin' Tail Ranch: 7.6 miles east on FM 2931, then FM 455 to the Isle du Bois Unit. State park entry fee applies.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve · Plano (32 Miles)
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano is one of the best urban nature experiences in the DFW area: 200 acres of oak woodland, prairie, and creek habitat with paved and unpaved trails. Crucially for dog owners, Arbor Hills has a designated off-leash dog area where dogs can run freely without a leash. The off-leash zone is fenced and has water stations for dogs.
The preserve is 32 miles southeast of Waggin' Tail Ranch (about 48 minutes without tolls). Open daily from 5am to 11pm. No entry fee. Very popular on weekend mornings, so arrive early for parking.
Flower Mound Riverwalk (28 Miles)
The Flower Mound Riverwalk trail system follows the north shore of Grapevine Lake along the Denton Creek arm. The paved 4-mile loop trail is flat, shaded in sections, and consistently ranked as one of the most dog-friendly trail systems in the DFW area. Dogs on leash; water access points along the creek for swimming dogs.
Historic Pilot Point Town Square (3 Miles)
Pilot Point's original 1876 Main Street has antique shops, a local diner, and several shops that welcome leashed dogs inside. The surrounding town square and park areas are good for dog walks. The proximity to the resort (6 miles via FM 2931) makes this an easy morning errand destination.
Texas Tulips (0.6 Miles)
Texas Tulips, half a mile up FM 2931 from the resort has varying dog policies by season and time of day. During non-peak hours and weekday sessions, leashed dogs have been welcomed in the fields. Call ahead to confirm the current policy for your visit date, as this can change based on crowd density. During peak weekend bloom periods, dogs may be restricted to reduce congestion on the paths.
Lake Lewisville Dog Beach (30 Miles)
Lake Lewisville has informal beach areas where dogs can swim off-leash at certain Corps of Engineers public areas along the north and west shores. The Pilot Knoll area off FM 2181 near Corinth is popular with local dog owners for off-leash water access. No formal dog beach designation, but it's an established local practice. Arrive early on summer weekends.
Denton Greenbelt System (18 Miles)
The City of Denton has a growing network of greenway trails along Pecan Creek and Clear Creek: paved multi-use trails through urban and suburban greenway corridors. Dogs on leash throughout. Good for a longer urban walk combined with the Denton Historic Square (dog-friendly café patios, antique shops that welcome small dogs). 18 miles from Waggin' Tail Ranch via US-380.