Federal Wildlife Preserve
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The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) was created in the early 1990's when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers founded a consortium to manage nearly 2,000 acres below Lewisville Dam. Today the LLELA consortium includes the Corps, the University of North Texas, the City of Lewisville, the Lewisville Independent School District, the University of Texas at Arlington, and Texas A&M University. Our mission is to preserve and restore our native ecosystems and to provide and promote environmental education and scientific research. LLELA contains a variety of habitats, including prairies, bottomland hardwood forests, wetlands, and cross timbers forest. With such a diversity of habitats, there is a profusion of wildlife here. Mammals such as bobcats, white-tailed deer, and mink can be found, along with birds such as wild turkeys, painted buntings, and dozens of waterfowl species. LLELA is dotted with sloughs, wetlands, creeks, and dry channels, the landscape features originally wrought by the Elm Fork and its tributaries during flood events. These remain filled by rainwater and flooding, providing areas where one can find wood ducks and other waterfowl, as well as many turtles, wading birds, and amphibians. Check our web site for more detailed information about LLELA and for scheduled.
- Hiking on four different trails
- Camping and fishing along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River
- Birding Opportunities
- Paddling on the Elm Fork or Beaver Pond
- Picnicking
- 1870's Pioneer homestead
- Weekend activities (visit website for schedule)
Hours of Operation, Activities, Prices and Regulations
Hours of Operation
Winter Hours (November 1 - March 1): Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Summer Hours (March 2 - October 31): Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
$5.00 per person
Children 5 and under free
Annual Passes are available; inquire at the gatehouse (Not affiliated with any state or national park)
Primitive Camping:
- Friday and Saturday nights.
- Check-in no later than one hour before closing.
- Check-out time is by 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
- Cost: day-use fees plus $10.00 per campsite per night.
- Potable water is available in several locations in the campground.
Mandate
The mandate of the LLELA consortium is to develop the area for:
- the preservation and restoration of native habitat and biodiversity
- environmental education, and
- environmental research.