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Updated June 11, 2025

Bird’s Fort Trail Park – Trinity River | Paddling.com

# Bird’s Fort Trail Park, Irving: concrete riverside trail, canoe launch, and a quiet slice of Trinity River

## Quick facts
– Address: 5756 Riverside Drive, Irving, Texas 75039. TX
– Coordinates: 32.880674, -96.9303493 (Google Maps listing for the park). Maps
– Hours: Sunrise to sunset (official city page). TX
– On-site features (per City of Irving): 57.99 acres; concrete, unlighted trail; Trinity River overlook; canoe launch; Campion Trail access; pavilion (rentable); picnic tables; grill; fitness equipment; butterfly garden; fishing allowed; parking; portable restroom; water fountain. TX

> Note on accuracy: some third-party sites list different hours or the ZIP as 75060. The city’s listing is the authoritative source for hours (sunrise–sunset) and places the park at 75039; use the coordinates above when navigating. TX

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## What you’ll find
Bird’s Fort Trail Park is one of Irving’s quieter river parks with direct access to the Trinity River and the city’s flagship Campion Trail system. Expect a broad concrete path (not lighted), river views from a small overlook, and a canoe/kayak launch used by paddlers exploring the Trinity River National Water Trail. Family-friendly basics are covered: tables, a pavilion you can reserve, grills, fitness stations, water fountain, and a portable restroom. Fishing is allowed from designated areas. All of these amenities are listed on the park’s official page. TX

### Campion Trail connection
From the park you can roll straight onto Campion Trail, the 12-foot-wide greenbelt Irving has been building along the Elm Fork and West Fork of the Trinity. As of 2025, the city reports 8.5 miles open in the Elm Fork (north) section and 6.5 miles in the West Fork (south) section, with ongoing work to eventually connect segments (“Unification Project”). TX

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## Paddling the Trinity from Bird’s Fort
The canoe launch here ties into the Trinity River National Water Trail, a 130-mile designated route with 20+ official launch sites across DFW. Before you go, check Trinity Coalition’s resources (launch map and water-level gauges) that the City of Irving itself points to from the park page; those tools note current flows and any hazards. Always portage around dams. TX

Trip planning tip: river conditions change after storms; paved trails near the river can also see temporary closures. Confirm status the day you visit via the City’s Campion Trail page and Trinity Coalition water links. TX

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## History in brief (why it’s called “Bird’s Fort”)
The park takes its name from Fort Bird (Bird’s Fort), a Republic-era outpost built in 1841 under Maj. Jonathan Bird after the Battle of Village Creek, intended to protect frontier settlements along the Trinity. In 1843, Sam Houston traveled the Bird’s Fort trail toward Grapevine Springs, where officers negotiated a Treaty of Peace and Friendship with multiple Native nations—commonly known as the Treaty of Bird’s Fort. TX

> You can still find historical markers referencing the Bird’s Fort trail legacy around the area; the park itself emphasizes this heritage in its official write-up. TX

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## Practical planning tips
– Best time: Early morning or late afternoon for shade and wildlife activity. Trails are unlighted, and official hours are sunrise–sunset. TX
– Facilities: Portable restroom and water fountain on site; bring extra water in summer. TX
– Picnics & groups: The pavilion is reservable through the city; check availability and rental details via the link on the park page. TX
– Accessibility notes: Surfaces are concrete in the immediate trail areas. For specific accommodations, Irving provides an ADA accommodation request process linked from city pages. Verify details with the city before your visit. TX
– Navigation: Use the official address (above) or the Google Maps coordinates for precision. Maps
– Safety: River levels and currents vary; consult the Trinity Coalition gauges and launch map prior to paddling trips. Wear PFDs and avoid dams.

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## Nearby ideas after your walk or paddle
– Campion Trail segments north and south from the park offer longer mileage with river views; the city’s page tracks extension work and milestones. TX
– Las Colinas attractions (Mandalay Canal, Toyota Music Factory, Mustangs of Las Colinas) sit a short drive away and pair well with a park visit; check the Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau for current options. Texas

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## Data freshness & what to double-check
– Hours & amenities: rely on the City of Irving page; third-party sites sometimes show “open 24 hours” or different ZIP codes. City listing: sunrise–sunset, address at 75039. TX
– Trail status: the Campion Trail has active construction phases; the city page notes progress and may post updates about closures. TX
– River conditions: consult the Trinity Coalition water-level page on the day of your paddle.

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### Sources used
City of Irving (official park & trail pages); Texas State Historical Association (Bird’s Fort history); Google Maps listing (coordinates); Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau (visitor info); Trinity Coalition (paddling trail resources). TX

This guide emphasizes verified, source-backed details to support inclusive trip planning and accurate on-site expectations.

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