Magical birding spot on the Gulf of Mexico
Spot bald eagles, peregrine falcons, ibis and egrets from the accessible boardwalk, easy hiking trails or from the canals and bayous of Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge. The freshwater shelter on the edge of Grand Lake in the coastal center of Louisiana is the breeding ground for thousands of species of migratory birds and other animals.
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Paul Kieu
A paddlers’ paradise just outside Lafayette
Rent canoes, kayaks or paddleboards to explore protected cypress-tupelo swamps. Located in Cypress Island Preserve, Lake Martin has a native alligator population that can be viewed on land along the 4-kilometer long Levee Trail or the even shorter Boardwalk Loop. Take a scenic drive around the lake on Rookery Road.
Stay multiple nights at on-site campgrounds
Located on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, Fontainebleau State Park provides a natural escape just opposite New Orleans on the Northshore. Spend the day on the sandy beach or use the public launches to get boat rentals onto the refreshing waters. Connect to the 43-kilometer paved Tammany Trace Bike Trail.
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Unforgettable route through Louisiana’s Outback
Cruise the Creole Nature Trail through 290 kilometers of rugged and untamed nature in coastal Louisiana. Designated an All-American Road, the route is home to over 400 different bird species and iconic wildlife like the American alligator. The Cameron Prairie and Sabine National Wildlife Refuges are visitor favorites for their accessible boardwalks.
Casey Habich
Shreveport’s spot for outdoor enthusiasts
Visit Lake Bistineau State Park, one of 22 state parks and preserves in Louisiana. Paddle through cypress trees to Sandy or Snake islands, get rented watercrafts into the large lake at multiple marinas, take on the disc golf course and hiking trails, or just hang out at the beach. Campgrounds welcome tents and RVs in all seasons.
Explore the protected forest by foot, bike or horse
Choose from over 160 kilometers of well-developed trails and trek through the only national forest in Louisiana. The Kisatchie National Forest’s popular routes for hiking and mountain biking include the Big Brand, Wild Azalea and Lamotte Creek Trails. Reserve a guided trail ride through Hayes E Daze Ranch for a journey on horseback through wild grass prairies and thick forests.
Multiple waterways calling to be traversed
Drive a half hour west of Baton Rouge to see the many scenic bayous, oxbow lakes, swamps and bottomland hardwood forests that make up the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. The stunning nature is best explored via the many canals and streams through blueways like the Bayou Teche and the Grand Avoille Cove Paddling Trails.
Lindsey A. Janies
Top-notch hiking treks for wildlife near Lake Charles
Bring the binoculars to catch glimpses of over 200 species of birds found in southwest Louisiana’s Sam Houston Jones State Park. Five hiking trails take you through tree-filled lagoons and mixed pine and hardwood forests including the Longleaf Pine, Orange and Stagecoach trails. Fishing is allowed along the banks of the Calcasieu River.
