Louisiana Hiking

If you have the privilege of living in Southwest Louisiana, then keep reading. This page is for YOU. If you don’t live here, then go back to the general Hiking page & count your blessings that you probably live somewhere where hiking can comfortably be done more than 2 months out of the year.

clark creekHIKING IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

Mosquitoes.  Snakes.  Alligators.  100% humidity. 100deg heat.  Limited trail offerings.
Ok, I get it!  Yes, we have some serious challenges for hiking in this area, but that’s no excuse to avoid hiking locally.  Louisiana is a Sportsman’s Paradise after all, & the fishermen & hunters shouldn’t have all the fun.  So here are my tips for hiking anywhere within a 4 hour radius of Lake Charles.  If you have more suggestions, PLEASE send me a comment.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

  • Most hikes have wildlife you may want to avoid (ticks, deer flies, snakes, bears & wild hogs) so hike when it’s cold to avoid them.  [Yes, I realize it rarely gets cold here, but that’s why you should take full advantage of Dec-Feb & hike every chance you get!]
  • Always check trail conditions before you go (flooded areas & controlled burns are common)
  • State Parks: www.facebook.com/LA.State.Parks
    • Always bring cash in small bills — most WMAs & parks are self-pay
  • Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) allow hunting, so pay attention to hunting seasons & wear orange!  Most hunting is restricted to before sunrise & after sunset, but others (such as duck hunting) can be all hours; hikers must possess a Wild Louisiana Stamp, Louisiana fishing license or hunting license (60 years of age or older exempt from this requirement).

LOCAL HIKES WITHIN 2 HR DRIVE OF LAKE CHARLES

ACADIANA PARK NATURE TRAIL (6mi combo of small trails)
  • Boardwalk & dirt trails in Lafayette through forest & along canals & coulees
  • Trail Map
CAMERON PRAIRIE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (4.2mi)
  • No defined trails, just follow the levees; not for the snake-fearing hiker
CHICOT STATE PARK TRAIL (18mi loop)
  • Great option for weekend trip, hike entire loop in 2 or 3 days or hike short segments), $2 fee, north segment reached by separate entrance (less traffic on north segment but not as pretty)
  • Levee area in northwest segment is full sun so get through this early in the morning or early evening if you don’t want to roast & watch for snakes; perfect 1st timer backpacking trip!
  • Short arboretum walk for easy hike
  • Lodging: Hotel Cazan, Lloyd Hall Plantation, Bellevue Manor
KISATCHIE
  • Go if you want woods & no swamp; hunting allowed in this area so pay attention to hunting seasons & avoid hikes near sunrise/sunset, no permits or fees
  • Backbone Trail (7.6mi)
    • Need 2 cars to hike it end2end but alternate versions for 1 car available: 2.5 loop OR 10mi Caroline Dorman combo (see link below)
    • Go October – April, beautiful woodland hike
    • Pack & Paddle Route
  • Caroline Dorman Trail (21mi, can hike small sections), good choice for long hike but nothing spectacular, relatively flat easy terrain
  • Glenn Emery Trail (3mi round trip), entrance at Stuart Lake Rec Area; can combine with Dogwood Trail
  • Kincaid Loop Trail  (9mi loop)
  • Valentine Lake Trail (3.4mi loop)
  • Wild Azalea Trail (28mi LONGEST TRAIL in LA), go in March or April for azalea blooms, well maintained trail, multiple access points & mileage options
LACASSINE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (3.1mi +)
  • No defined trails, just follow the levees; recommend walk around Unit D; not for the snake-fearing hiker
LAKE MARTIN / LA POINTE LOOP (5.1mi)
  • Loop hike south of Breaux Bridge
SABINE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (2.5mi)
  • Wetland Walkway (1.5mi) & Blue Goose Trail (1mi); boardwalk & freshwater marsh, observation tower, rest shelters with benches, interpretive signs, and restrooms.
SAM HOUSTON JONES STATE PARK (4.3mi)
  • Short trails that can be combined: Longleaf Pine (3.5mi), Longleaf Pine Ext (1.3mi), Riverwalk (1.6mi), Swamp Walk (1.1mi), Cypress Tupelo (.5mi)
  • Trail Map

SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA

BARATARIA PRESERVE TRAILS (multiple short trails, combine for total 10mi)
  • Go if you like swamps & want to get close to marsh wildlife, go in April or May for iris blooms
BAYOU SAUVAGE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (3-6mi)
  • Ridge Trail Boardwalk (very short) & Maxent Levee Trail (3mi one way); hunting allowed
BONNET CARRE SPILLWAY (5.2mi loop)
  • Sandy trail near LaPlace, created solely for mountain biking & hiking; moderate hike; bring bug net/hat in case of sand flies
FONTAINEBLEAU STATE PARK (1.25mi & 4.8mi)
  • Raised boardwalk over swamp; $1 fee (free for ages 62+)
LAKE FAUSSE POINT (5.7mi combo of small trails)
  • Three trails: Trail A (.75mi) & B (1.6mi) lakefront; Trail C (3.3mi) forest & campsites
PORT HUDSON STATE HISTORIC SITE (1-6mi)
  • Trail Map
  • Easy hike near with restrooms & museum; hike entire loop & side trails for total 6mi; $4 fee (free for ages 62+)
SHERBURNE / ATCHAFALAYA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (14.2mi round trip)
  • Bayou Des Glaises Trail (7.1mi one way); can be very muddy in spring; do NOT go during duck hunting season; will need Wild LA Stamp
TAMMANY TRACE (31mi total)
  • Hike & bike trail, completely paved, mostly urban hike but some woodland sections
  • Inn2Inn Hike: (will need someone to return you to your car)
    • Slidell to Mandeville (15.2mi) OR Lecompte to Mandeville (9.2mi)–night in Mandeville
    • Mandeville to Covington (12mi) — lunch in Abita Springs, night in Covington
    • Lodging in Covington: Covington Inn, Camellia House B&B, Blue Willow B&B
    • Lodging in Mandeville: Blue Heron B&B, Cressy House B&B, Ponchartrain Winds, Marvilla Guest House, Pollyanna B&B
    • Optional hike: NORTHLAKE CENTER TRAILS, Mandeville (3 nature trails .75mi, 1.2mi or 1.75mi)
    • No. 1 Ladies Hiking Society used this itinerary in 2017 for a group of 26.
TICKFAW STATE PARK (4.75mi combo of small trails)
  • Gum Cypress Trail (.5mi), Pine Hardwood (.5mi), River Overlook/Bottomland Hardwood (.75mi), River Trail (3mi); easy hike but parts of trail can be wet (wear waterproof shoes)
TUNICA HILLS / CLARK CREEK (4+mi)
  • Day 1: Hike Tunica Hills Wildlife Mgmt Area, South Tract (Trail C/North 4mi, South Trail ?mi)
    • No toilets, watch for rattlesnakes, hunting allowed on these trails so pay attention to hunting seasons & avoid hikes near sunrise/sunset, rugged terrain with steep hills & sandy river trails, need Wild LA Stamp or hunting/fishing license
    • Good choice if you like to be alone & prefer untouched wilderness, truly beautiful if willing to overcome the primitive conditions & sometimes confusing trail markers
  • Day 2:  Hike Clark Creek (MS) (Primitive Trail: 4.3mi, Improved Trail: 4mi)
    • dogs allowed, no hunting, watch for black bears, toilets at parking, $3 fee, waterfalls, need waterproof boots, steep hills; much more beginner-friendly than Tunica
    • Clark Creek
  • Lodging: various B&Bs in St. Francisville, The Bridge B&B (Weyanoke)
  • Optional excursions: Myrtles Plantation, Rosedown Plantation, Cat Island National Refuge (3.5mi trail)

NORTH LOUISIANA

BAYOU BODCAU (7.75mi)
  • Trail Map
  • Durden Hills Nature Trail: 3 loop trails (2.2 & 2.4mi each totalling 7mi); challenging loops & switchbacks; popular bike trail; hunting is allowed in parts of this area
  • Additional easy hike: John Haygood Nature Trail (.75mi) paved trail
LAKE BISTINEAU STATE PARK (9mi combo of small trails)
  • Trail Map
  • Willis Homestead Trail (3.8mi), Koasati Trail (2mi), Pintail Trail (1.3mi), Blue Wing Trail (1.2mi), Discovery Circle (.4mi)
LAKE CLAIBORNE STATE PARK (6+mi)
  • White Tail Trail (6mi loop), Whispering Pines Bike Trail (5mi), Muscadine Trail (.5mi), Scenic Overlook Path (.5mi), King of the Mountain Nature Trail (.45mi), Dogwood Nature Trail (.14mi); hilly terrain with waterfalls & pine forest near Athens; $2 fee
LAKE D’ARBONNE STATE PARK (.5~4mi)
  • Orange Trail (1mi), Green Trail (.5mi), Blue Trail (.5mi), White Trail (4mi); $2 fee
  • Optional easy hike:  KIROLI PARK (1.9 mi loop); paved walk through W. Monroe
POVERTY POINT HISTORIC SITE (2.6mi)
  • Short walk along historic site; $4 fee
TENSAS RIVER WILDLIFE REFUGE (3.8mi)
  • Rainey Lake Trail (3.5mi) & Hollow Cypress Wildlife Trail (.25mi)
SALINE BAYOU TRAIL (6mi round trip), less crowded beautiful hike along the water
SUGAR CANE TRAIL (6.4mi loop)
  • Moderate level hike in Kisatchie’s Caney Ranger District near Minden; $3 fee

For more ideas & a very thorough listing of Louisiana trails, visit Louisiana Hikes — it’s a FABULOUS site!