Greenbelt Trail - Ray Roberts Lake State Park

 

The Greenbelt Trail is a 10 mile multi-use trail system located at the Greenbelt Unit of Ray Roberts Lake State Park. The trail runs parallel to the Elm Fork of the Trinity River and offers pathways used for hiking, running, bicycle riding, horseback riding, and even canoeing. 

The Greenbelt Trail can be accessed from three trailheads. The trail's northernmost access point is at the base of the Ray Roberts Lake dam along FM 455 near Sanger, Texas. Another access point is located along FM 428 near Aubrey, Texas. The trail's southernmost access point is located along US 380 in Denton, Texas. The trailheads at FM 455 and FM 428 have flush toilets with running water. The trailhead at US 380 has only pit toilets and no running water. Without a Texas State Parks pass, admission is $7 per person 13 or older. You can pay via a drop box or with your smartphone by scanning a posted QR code.

The review posted below is broken down by the trail's two main sections: FM 455 to FM 428 and FM 428 to US 380. The section from FM 455 to FM 428 is approximately 4 miles in length. The section from FM 428 to US 380 is approximately 6 miles in length. 

FM 455 to FM 428

After turning off of FM 455 to enter the Greenbelt Unit of Ray Roberts Lake State Park, take the first left to access the trailhead for the Greenbelt Trail. The trail begins by crossing a bridge over the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. For the next mile the trail is covered by the canopy of the forest which provides some nice shade.

Approximately 1.25 miles into the trail, you have the opportunity to view one of two historic truss bridges along this trail. Once upon a time, this bridge connected the communities of Green Valley and Belew. According to an internet source, use of the bridge stopped in the 1960s. 

For the next three miles, the trail is open prairie with very little shade. During the spring, wildflowers adorn the fields along the trail. The section of trail between FM 455 and FM 428 is flat and paved with crushed gravel. You will be sharing the trail with your fellow hikers, runners, and bicycle riders. If you are up for a more primitive hiking experience, an equestrian trail can be found on the opposite side of the Elm Fork. 

After a four mile hike, you will arrive at the FM 428 trailhead. At this trailhead is a second historic truss bridge. This bridge was once upon a time a part of FM 428. It was built in 1922 and served cars until 1990 when a new bridge was built. The bridge remains in its original location and today is part of the Greenbelt Trail. A Texas Historical Marker tells a detailed story of the bridge's history.

This section of the trail is not spectacular, but it offers a nice easy hike with the opportunity to get in some miles. If you want a hike that offers a bit more shade, check out the section between FM 428 and US 380.

FM 428 to US 380

2015 brought historic rainfall totals and flooding to North Texas. Logjams and flooding along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River caused damage to the trail. The section of the Greenbelt Trail between FM 428 and US 380 was closed in 2015 and did not reopen until late 2021. According to a Denton Record Chronicle article, moving forward Texas Parks and Wildlife Department intends to "perform the basic clean up necessary after each flooding event." 

Beginning your hike from the FM 428 trailhead, the first mile of trail is open prairie. However, you soon enter forest and will remain in it for most of the next five miles until you reach US 380.

While much of this section of trail is covered with gravel, some portions give way to a dirt path.  Standing water is common after rain events, so be prepared for the possibility of mud. 

Approximately two miles South of the FM 428 trailhead, the trail forks. The right fork continues towards US 380. The left fork will take you to a scenic overlook.

After hiking up a hill, you reach the scenic overlook. The location includes a bench and offers views of the Crosstimbers landscape. In the distance you can see the city of Denton. If you are not up for hiking all the way to US 380, a hike to the scenic overlook is an excellent alternative. Roundtrip the hike between the FM 428 trailhead and the scenic overlook is 5.7 miles. 

5.5 miles South of the FM 428 trailhead, a Union Pacific railroad crosses the trail. The noise of the train while not constant, did interrupt the sounds of nature on the day of my hike.

Like the northern section of the Greenbelt Trail, the FM 428 to US 380 section is nothing spectacular. However, the forested path of the southern section provides for a superior hiking experience. Let's hope that Texas Parks and Wildlife, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and other parties responsible for this trail, will continue to keep this section of trail open in the years to come.

More information:

• Ray Roberts Lake State Park
• All Trails
• Greenbelt access near Denton now open for first time since 2015 (Denton RC)
• Will Denton's Greenbelt remain open? The answer lies in its past, future (Denton RC)