So, you're looking for Southfork. You’ve got the theme song from Dallas stuck in your head—that brassy, triumphant 80s anthem—and you want to see the white mansion where J.R. Ewing plotted his next oil heist. But here’s the thing: if you start your search in the middle of downtown Dallas, you’re going to be looking for a long time.
Honestly, Southfork isn’t technically in Dallas. Not even close.
Most people assume it’s nestled somewhere near the skyscrapers of the Big D, but it’s actually tucked away in a quiet, upscale suburb called Parker, Texas. It’s about 25 miles north of the city. If you’re driving from the Dallas Arts District, you’re looking at a 30 to 40-minute trek, depending on how much the North Texas traffic decide to ruin your day.
The Real Address of the Ewing Legacy
If you want to plug it into your GPS right now, the address is 3700 Hogge Road, Parker, TX 75002.
Don’t let the "Parker" name confuse you. People in North Texas basically treat everything north of the George Bush Turnpike as one giant sprawl, so everyone just says it’s in Dallas. It makes the marketing easier, I guess. When you arrive, you’ll find it at the intersection of FM 2551 (which the locals call Murphy Road) and Hogge Road.
It’s kind of funny because back when they started filming the show in 1978, this area was nothing but dirt roads and cattle. Now? It’s surrounded by luxury housing developments and manicured lawns. The ranch itself feels like a little pocket of 1980s history preserved in amber.
How to Get There Without Getting Lost
If you're coming from the south:
- Get on US Highway 75 North (the Central Expressway).
- Keep going until you hit Exit 30 for Parker Road.
- Turn right and head east for about 5.5 miles.
- When you see a big intersection for Murphy Road/FM 2551, take a right.
- The entrance will be right there on your left. You can't miss it.
If you don't have a car, things get a bit trickier. There’s no direct "Dallas to Southfork" bus. You can take the DART Red Line tram up to the Parker Road Station in Plano, but you’ll still need to call an Uber or a Lyft for the final 15-minute leg of the trip. It’s a bit of a hassle, but cheaper than a $70 taxi ride from downtown.
The Secret "First" Southfork
Here is a bit of trivia that usually shocks people: the Southfork you see today wasn't the original one.
In the very first five episodes of the show—the "mini-series" season—they actually filmed at a place called Brinkmann Ranch (formerly Box Ranch) in Frisco. It had a massive white mansion that looked a lot like the one we know now. However, the owners got tired of the production crews and the fans constantly trampling their grass.
The producers had to scramble. They found "Duncan Acres" in Parker, which belonged to a guy named Joe Duncan. He let them film there, and the rest is television history. That’s the Southfork everyone recognizes now.
What’s Actually Happening at Southfork in 2026?
There’s been a lot of gossip lately about Southfork being torn down. You might have heard rumors that the whole place was being turned into a shopping mall or a bunch of condos.
That’s not quite right.
The current owners, Centurion American Development Group, did buy the ranch back in 2022. They have started building high-end homes—we're talking $2 million-plus houses on two-acre lots—around the perimeter of the property. But they’ve been very clear: the mansion and the event center are staying.
In fact, the ranch is more active now than it has been in years. They’re still doing daily tours from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. You can walk through the mansion, see the "gun that shot J.R." in the museum, and even book a "Live Like a Ewing" overnight stay.
What a Visit Costs (Roughly)
- Standard Tours: Usually around $16 to $20 for adults.
- Horseback Rides: They do trail rides across the 300+ acres for about $60.
- The Fancy Stuff: If you really want to go all out, you can stay the night in the mansion for about $2,000, which includes a steak dinner and breakfast by the pool where Bobby Ewing used to do laps.
Why Do People Still Care?
It’s wild to think about, but Dallas was broadcast in nearly 100 countries. People from all over the world still fly into DFW airport just to see this house. For them, Southfork represents the ultimate American dream—oil, power, and big Texas hair.
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When you stand on that famous balcony, the one where the Ewings would look out over their "vast" empire, you realize the house is actually much smaller than it looked on TV. Wide-angle lenses are a hell of a drug. The mansion is about 6,000 square feet, which is large, but by modern North Texas standards, there are houses in the neighboring subdivisions that are twice that size.
But those houses don't have the history. They don't have Jock Ewing’s 1978 Lincoln Continental parked in the driveway.
Practical Tips for Your Trip
- Check the Weather: It’s Texas. If you go in July, you’re going to melt. Much of the tour involves walking between the visitors' center and the mansion.
- Wear Closed-Toe Shoes: Especially if you plan on doing the trail rides. There are actual cows and horses here, and nobody wants "ranch life" on their flip-flops.
- Book Ahead: While you can usually get tour tickets at the door, the trail rides and overnight stays fill up weeks in advance.
- Don’t Expect the Inside to Match the Early Seasons: Remember, most of the interior scenes were filmed on a soundstage in California. The tour guides do a great job of explaining what was "real" and what was Hollywood magic, but the layout might trip you up if you’ve watched the series a dozen times.
If you’re planning to make the trip, aim for a weekday morning. You’ll beat the weekend crowds and the lighting for photos is way better. Once you're done at the ranch, you're only a few minutes away from Downtown Plano, which has some of the best barbecue and local shops in the area—perfect for grabbing lunch before heading back into the Dallas city limits.
To get the most out of your visit, verify the current tour schedule on the official Southfork Ranch website before you drive out to Parker, as they occasionally close for private weddings or large corporate events.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check Availability: Visit the official Southfork Ranch website to confirm they aren't closed for a private event on your planned date.
- Download the Route: Save the 3700 Hogge Road address in your offline maps, as cell service can occasionally be spotty once you get deep into the residential areas of Parker.
- Budget for Extras: Bring extra cash for "Miss Ellie’s Deli" or the gift shop if you want a "Who Shot J.R.?" hat to take home.