Let’s face it, hiking is WAY down on the priority list for Louisiana when it comes to outdoor activities. When you look at the state parks & wildlife areas of Louisiana, you won’t find many hiking trails (and if you do, they’re most likely to be short nature trails or shared with hunters). But do not despair, we are surrounded by three states that DO provide good hiking trials: Texas, Arkansas & Mississippi.
There are some exceptions, so check out Louisiana Hikes if you want to stay in-state.
For this article, I’m going to focus on Texas since it’s our closest neighbor here in Southwest Louisiana. Before diving in, however, I want to remind everyone to ALWAYS check a park’s website or call ahead — there are frequent closures due to flooding, trail maintenance, & even overcrowding.
If you only have time for a quick weekend getaway, try Huntsville State Park which is about 3 hours from Lake Charles. Nestled in the Piney Woods north of Houston, this park has some nice short trails but what makes it worth the drive is the Chinquapin Trail. Chinquapin is a 6.8 mile loop that is considered challenging and allows you to see the entire park. You can combine hiking at Huntsville with some water sports along Lake Conroe or the Trinity River. Or you can combine this with a concert at The Woodlands or some truly unique shopping at Annettes Touch of Class.
If you find yourself in the Houston area but don’t have all weekend to hike, try Brazos Bend State Park. The trails at this park are all less than 2 miles but can be combined for a full day of hiking. This is in Needville, southwest of Houston, and has a landscape similar to southwest Louisiana (marsh, prairie, some woodlands). If you want a chance to see BIG GATORS, this is the park for you! Combine this with a stay & visit to Varner-Hogg Plantation, about 30 miles further south.
Martin Creek Lake State Park and Tyler State Park are also good options for Southwest Louisiana residents. About 3.5-4.5 hours away, these parks are in northeast Texas and combined will give you plenty to hike for two days. For those who like earning badges, stay in Tyler & walk or bike the 4 Pedals of the Rose (a combination of trails that earn you a car decal).
If you want to spend some time in the backcountry roughing it, look no further than the Trail Between the Lakes. This nearly 27 mile point-to-point trail is in the Sabine National Forest, about 2 hours north of Lake Charles. Besides the Azalea Trail and Chicot State Park loop in Louisiana, this trail is your closest chance for multi-day backpacking if you live in Southwest Louisiana.
Further out, the trails become more uniquely Texas. My personal fave is Colorado Bend State Park, a 6 hour drive from Lake Charles. The terrain is challenging & diverse, & it can be paired with Inks Lake State Park. Eric & I spent a 3-day weekend hiking these parks earlier this year (see Texas Hiking Weekend Getaway). 
If you want tubing or swimming to cool you off after some hot Texas hiking, try Pedernales Falls State Park, Garner State Park, or South Llano State Park. These are all west of Austin & range from 5.5-7 hours away. If you hike South Llano, include a hike up Enchanted Rock if you can. I also highly recommend Lost Maples State Natural Area, but save it for the fall when the Maple trees change color.
Moving to north Texas, the Ft. Worth area has a week’s worth of hiking! There’s Dinosaur Valley State Park (where you can see genuine dinosaur tracks), Cleburne State Park (has some nice short, challenging trails), Lake Mineral Wells State Park (includes a 20-mi biking trail), & Ray Roberts Lake State Park (great for long trails & lounging on the water).
If you’re willing to drive 10 or 11 hours to the Texas Panhandle AND if you want a mini Grand Canyon experience, then check out Palo Duro Canyon State Park & Caprock Canyons State Park. Personally I prefer lots of green & water, but these are great options for hikers who like the Arizona & Utah landscapes.
If I’ve overwhelmed you with all these options, no worries! There’s a short list of Texas Hiking always available on my website. Happy 2019 hiking!
