LLELA is Lewisville's big river nature preserve

The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, or LLELA, sits at 201 E. Jones Street below Lewisville Dam. It covers more than 2,000 acres of prairie, bottomland hardwood forest, wetlands, and cross timbers. Visitors can fish, paddle the Trinity, camp, picnic, hike, watch wildlife, and join outdoor programs.

Birders know it for hundreds of recorded species, from wild turkeys to painted buntings. Pets are not allowed, which helps protect the wildlife and habitat.

LLELA is one of Denton County's richest outdoor stops. Lake, river, prairie, forest, and classes all meet there, but days, hours, trails, paddling, and camping conditions can change after high water.