Nature Tours
McKinney offers many opportunities to commune with nature. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the community’s lush landscape along the hike and bike paths in the city’s parks. Or explore the miles of trails on a guided, educational tour of the 289-acre Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary.
Self-Guided Tours
Nature Trail
Find the entrance to this nature trail just down the hill from the Recreation Center at Towne Lake at 2001 S. Central Expwy. Signs along the trail point out types of trees and other vegetation. Keep an eye out for the meditation circle and natural rock circle seating.
Towne Lake Park
This McKinney park connects to the Nature Trail at the Recreation Center at Towne Lake. The wide walking trail that circles the park also heads off to the south toward Eldorado Blvd. and east toward the historic district’s Finch Park. The trail also heads west and north toward Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex and Bonnie Wenk Park.
Bonnie Wenk Park
The newly-expanded Bonnie Wenk Park features trails that stretch north and west toward Cockrill Middle School and Boyd High School. (This trail also heads north toward Baylor Scott and White Medical Center.) The trails also head south toward Towne Lake Park.
Erwin Park
The rustic and wild expanses of Erwin Park include miles of twisty, challenging bike paths, camp grounds, and more. Regardless of the season, Erwin Park in McKinney always offers plenty of natural miles to explore.
Guided Tours
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
About six miles of nature trails wind through the various habitats making up the 289-acre wildlife sanctuary. Each month, The Heard offers guided trail tours focusing on birds, plant life, insects, the wetlands and more. Most of these tours are included with the cost of admission to The Heard. Special tours are also offered throughout the year.
Details and links to the Heard’s many guided tour options can be found on their website.