Garden discovery walk
A gentle crushed-granite route through the butterfly garden area and toward the bird habitat.
Accessible area · Gardens and wildlifeChoose a path.Find the wild.
More than five miles of prairie, woodland, garden, and wetland trails wait just beyond the gate.
See the whole preserve.
Explore the official map with the zoom and pan buttons, or read the text guide below.
Map zoom: 100%
Use Zoom in for a closer view. Use the pan buttons, scroll, or focus the map and press the arrow keys to move around. Read the map text guide.
Every path on the map.
ANC's official trail map names 11 trails and connectors. This complete list follows its legend, including the shorter paths that are easy to miss.
- Benjamin Milam Trail
- Bowie Hike and Bike Trail
- Connector
- Crockett Butterfly Trail
- Juan Seguín Trail
- Lorenzo de Zavala Trail
- Sam Houston Trail
- Stephen Austin Trail
- Susanna Dickinson Trail
- Travis Hiking Trail East
- Tree Trail Loop
Trailforks labels some connections separately, including Old Barn Road and Tree Loop Connector, and splits the Crockett Butterfly Trail into an approach and a loop. Explore its map for those details.
The map in words.
The official ANC map is an aerial view of the preserve with eleven named trails and connectors. The printed map shows the parking area near the lower center, the education facility and butterfly garden toward the center-right, and wooded trails along the left side. A broad perimeter route encloses the open grassland on the right. The following text describes the map's labels and layout; it is not turn-by-turn navigation.
Arriving and choosing a walk
The trailhead is at 6900 Smoky Hill Court, Granbury, Texas 76049. Admission is free and the preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk. The parking area is drawn near the lower center of the map. Paths lead from this area toward the garden and education area and into the surrounding trail network.
The garden discovery walk follows crushed-granite paths through the butterfly garden area and toward the bird habitat. The Travis wildlife walk uses mulch and natural-surface paths toward shaded habitat. The Bowie perimeter route is used for hiking, jogging, and biking. Trail conditions can change; contact ANC at 817-326-6005 or actonnaturecenter@yahoo.com for current access information.
Map layout and landmarks
On the printed map, the education facility and Crockett Butterfly Garden are near the center-right. The restrooms are drawn just above the garden. Paths link the garden area back toward the lower-center trailhead. The broad Bowie loop surrounds the open grassland on the right and continues through the upper and central portions of the map.
Kate's Overlook is labeled among the wooded paths on the left, above the midpoint. Sam Houston Bridge is labeled lower on the left, beside the Tree Trail Loop area. Wildlife Observation is labeled near the bottom, left of the parking area. San Banard Bridge is labeled toward the upper-right along the perimeter route. The map also depicts water along its left edge, a north arrow at the lower right, and a 400-foot scale bar. Positions here refer to the printed layout, not compass directions.
All eleven names in the official legend
Benjamin Milam Trail; Bowie Hike and Bike Trail; Connector; Crockett Butterfly Trail; Juan Seguin Trail; Lorenzo de Zavala Trail; Sam Houston Trail; Stephen Austin Trail; Susanna Dickinson Trail; Travis Hiking Trail East; Tree Trail Loop.
The printed map identifies trails by color. Read this legend and the route descriptions alongside the map. Trail names and connections in external mapping services may differ. The official map does not give individual trail distances, slopes, or detailed surface measurements.
Before you go
Bring water, closed-toed shoes, sun protection, and insect repellent. Dogs must be on a leash. Stay on marked trails, pack out waste, and leave plants, wildlife, and artifacts undisturbed.
For visit information, maps, or help accessing information, contact Acton Nature Center at 817-326-6005 or actonnaturecenter@yahoo.com. Mailing address: 6430 Smoky Hill Court, number 104, Granbury, Texas 76049.
Find a route that fits.
Three helpful starting points for first-time visitors, from a gentle garden walk to the full perimeter.
Travis wildlife walk
A quieter mulch and natural-surface trail toward shaded habitat and wildlife observation.
Woodland and wetland · HikingBowie perimeter adventure
The broad preserve loop through open prairie and woodland, with connections to shorter trails.
Perimeter route · Hike, jog, or bikePlan your visit.
Acton Nature Center is free and open every day from dawn to dusk.
- Trailhead
- 6900 Smoky Hill Court
Granbury, TX 76049 - Bring
- Water, closed-toed shoes, sun protection, and insect repellent.
- Dogs
- Dogs are welcome on a leash. Please pack out all waste.
- Protect the preserve
- Stay on marked trails and leave plants, wildlife, and artifacts undisturbed.