Actually, the best sections of the West Fork for paddlesports activities is in or near Fort Worth, through the Mid-Cities area and into Dallas. One particularly nice reach is between Lake Worth and the Clear Fork confluence at Trinity Park west of downtown Fort Worth. It is remote, and it is often difficult to realize that you are in a major metropolitan area. While flowing through a major metropolitan area the steep, tree-lined banks provide a scenic, natural characteristic that gives a sense of remoteness. The down-side is the frequent noise of automobiles on the nearby heavily-traveled highways and roads around the Metroplex. Noise is not a factor, for the most part, northeast of the Fort Worth area. Normal water flow is slow and meandering with a muddy composition. Access is limited and often difficult. Adjoining lands are mostly privately owned, some of which include industrial parks in the stretch between Fort Worth and Dallas.

Archer, Jack, Wise, Tarrant and Dallas Counties in northeast Texas. The river is usually too low for enjoyable paddling above Lake Bridgeport, but can be navigated between the lakes and from Fort Worth to Dallas when there is sufficient flow.

Wichita Falls 20 miles; Dallas 135 miles; Fort Worth 105 miles; Austin 265 miles; San Antonio 330 miles; Houston 453 miles; Oklahoma City 161 miles (all distances are approximate and depend upon starting point, destination point on the river and route taken.)

Good, but usually muddy due to an earthen bottom. The flow is usually slow except after heavy local rains or dam releases from any of the three reservoirs located between Archer County and Fort Worth, when the river can become dangerous due to obstructions from log jams, steep, muddy banks, low-hanging vegetation and a narrow channel.

Anytime there is adequate water, which means anytime after heavy local rains or whenever dam releases are occuring. Spring and fall usually provide adequate rainfall to prompt dam releases from the three reservoirs located on the West Fork. Summers will be very hot without much shade most of the time. Winters can be cold, but North Texas generally has many warm days throughout the year when paddling can be an enjoyable activity.

There are no rapids of any significance on the West Fork of the Trinity River. However, log jams, low-hanging vegetation, a narrow channel and high flows from runoff or dam releases can create dangerous conditions for paddlers, boat fishermen or others playing in the water. There is usually significant pollution in the form of debris in the DFW Metroplex area that is unsightly, if nothing else.

There are no campgrounds located along the West Fork of the Trinity River. The often steep, muddy banks are not condusive to camping along the streambed, and most adjacent property, especially above Fort Worth, is privately owned. The West Fork is not the best place for overnight trips, lending itself more to day trips where you paddle downriver, turn around and paddle back to your car at the put-in.

There are no liveries or shuttle services operating on the West Fork of the Trinity River. However, you may be able to rent boats and arrange shuttles from several outfitters in the DFW area.

The West Fork of the Trinity River is not a commonly paddled getaway. However, it is close the the DFW Metroplex and offers a place to dip a paddle after work or on a day when going somewhere else is not practical. Though the water is usually muddy, it is safe for human contact, but it might have an odor closer the the Metroplex due to pollution and debris contamination commonly found in major metropolitan areas.