The Cicada Trail

The Cicada Trail is within the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area Nature Preserve. It’s .9 miles of easy terrain with some lovely views of the lake. The Cicada Trail follows the historic channel of the Elm Fork through a hardwood forest.  Though the river’s course was changed during the construction of the Lewisville Dam,  the channel remains and retains water after rains and during floods.  This temporary water source provides habitat for Wood Ducks, several species of amphibians, turtles, and other wildlife native to North Texas.  The Cicada Trail follows a ridge parallel to the old Elm Fork of the Trinity River channel; the tall Cottonwoods and Pecan trees covering the trail  provide welcome shade on a hot summer’s day. The Cicada Trail (about 0.35 mile one way) is an easy walk with little change in elevation.  It joins the Cottonwood Trail in two places, offering an opportunity to return via the nearby Cottonwood Trail and the adjacent wetlands. Submitted by Terri Guintivano