Dallas Outdoor Activities

Crisscrossed with more than 100 boulder problems and 60 climbing routes at any one time, the 14,000 square feet of indoor climbing space at Dallas Rocks offers a challenging workout for everyone from expert climbers to those who have never seen a rock. Climbing walls reach up to 35 feet, and the “Big Tex” bouldering wall challenges experienced climbers with 120 linear feet of 70-degree overhang. Split down the middle between bouldering and route climbing, the climbing area is constantly being refreshed with new routes and problems, delighting members but rankling anyone who has to take the routes every morning on the way to work.

To accommodate fitness-seekers looking for variety in their workouts, the rock shop boasts a fitness center filled with free weights, heavy bags, stationary bikes, and exercise machines. Additionally, experienced personal trainers can help patrons plan a workout strategy designed specifically to enhance their rock climbing or skyscraper scaling.

SpeedZone Dallas is the place for racing, games and more.

For the past 20 years, Zero Gravity has been one of Dallas’ primary sources of satisfied screams, launching Texans into lower orbit with palpitating rides that test the confines of physics. Thrill-seekers can exhaust adrenaline reserves on five hair-raising attractions, including the seven-story bungee jump, the Skycoaster, and the Texas Blastoff, which acts like a giant slingshot that rockets riders 70 miles per hour toward the sky the nearest medieval watchtower. Nothin’ but Net sends amusement park goers plummeting on a 130-foot freefall, and the Skyscraper's enormous propellers whip guests around with 4 gees of force before serving up views of the city’s stunning skyline. Thanks to precautions designed specifically for each ride, Zero Gravity boasts a flawless safety record, whereas the park’s flexible schedule jump-starts hearts seven days per week.

Since she was just a toddler, Melissa Doose has been riding horses. At MD Barrel Horses, she shares the expertise she's built with students of all experience levels during one-on-one lessons. Guests learn to communicate riding cues to horses and practice techniques for skills such as grooming and saddling. Doose also boards clients' horses at the farm.

In the summer of 2002, a fire devoured the walls of Super Skate, and from those ashes a revived facility was born. In 2003, skaters found it freshly equipped with modern technology and a rink of maple hardwood. Atop the gleaming surface, athletes clad in rental skates or rollerblades perfect their figure eights during open hours and birthday parties. Even the teensiest skaters can glide around with the help of wheeled support apparatuses or the hands of their imaginary friends. A rinkside snack bar replenishes dwindling energy beside an arcade and a prize counter loaded with colorful toys and trinkets. After hours, adults seize control of the space for BYOB bashes that stretch into the wee hours. A projection TV splashes scenes across an expansive canvas, entertaining attendees at fundraising events and other large gatherings.

For 40 years, the watersports enthusiasts of High Trails Canoe and Kayak Outfitters have outfitted visitors for outdoor adventures, renting the vessels they lift their name from along with standup paddleboards. In addition to renting gear, the staff also teaches kayaking classes that include beginner and advanced touring courses, as well as how to navigate surging waters such as rapids or a neighbor's hot tub. For sportsmen looking to purchase their own watercraft, High Trails' team stocks a fleet of multisport, sit-on-top, and hybrid kayaks from brands such as Hurricane Kayaks and Heritage Kayaks. An online advice page guides guests through choosing kayaks, encouraging them to consider design, material, and comfort.