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.
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)
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).
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!
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)
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)
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
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
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
HIKING IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
