Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center, Denton

About Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center

Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center in Denton provides access to more than 2,900 acres of bottomland hardwood forest, upland prairie, and aquatic habitats within Lake Lewisville's upper floodplain. Visitors explore hiking trails, visit the greenhouse, and walk through the pocket prairie ecosystem. The center operates educational programs and nature experiences centered on the confluence of Clear Creek and the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Recent offerings have included guided bug-catching events with sweep nets and bug viewers, where participants learn about beneficial native insects in the area. Evening bat walks utilize recording equipment to pick up bat calls while educating visitors about native bat species, their role in pest control and pollination, and bat-friendly practices. The center, managed by the City of Denton on land leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, welcomes residents and visitors seeking ecological and recreational opportunities. General admission is free.