If you want to enjoy the great outdoors, hiking is a wonderful way to experience the sights and sounds along some of the most picturesque routes in nature. Spending the night brings another perspective to the experience. Overnight campers can wake up to the sounds of birds in the trees above and witness stunning sunrises. Below are the most beautiful backpacking spots Louisiana has to offer. Any one will give you an unforgettable experience seeing nature like never before.
Chicot State Park is near Ville Platte in the lower central part of Louisiana, and is one of the oldest state parks in the state, being added in 1939. Significant development was done by the Civilian Conservation Corp to this 2,000-acre area in the years that followed, which created the hiking and backpacking trails, picnic areas, and stocked fishing lakes that are enjoyed today. For those who enjoy spending the night in the outdoors, there are several primitive campsites along the 18-mile trail that circles Lake Chicot. Hikers and campers will find magnificent magnolia trees blooming from March to October. Tall cypress trees are also very prevalent in the park and seem to dip their roots in the cool lake water as they stretch up to the sky. Dogs are permitted on the trail, but must be on a leash.
Kisatchie National Forest is the only national forest in Louisiana and is located in the north-central region of the state. Pines and hardwoods dominate the woody landscape, and there are many rare plants and animals that are specific to the forest. The 8,700-acre Kisatchie Wilderness, where the Backbone Trail is located, is the largest of the three protected areas in this region, and is part of the National Conservation Area. Created by the Civilian Conservation Corps between the Great Depression and World War II, the Backbone Trail is a moderately rated trail with mainly flat and sandy parts. There are several good overlooks along the 7.1-mile trail, and most hikers can complete it in about two hours. Hikers and backpackers will have wonderful caves and canyons to explore, and there are some steep cliffs for those who want to try a little rock climbing. For those staying overnight, there are several campgrounds available, and the Gum Springs Campground is highly rated. Remember to bring your camera and your fishing pole!
Located on the northern shores of the beautiful and picturesque Lake Pontchartrain near Mandeville, Louisiana, Fontainebleau State Park offers 2,800 acres of nature at its best. Over 400 bird species make this park their home, and visitors have the unique opportunity to see not one, but three different ecosystems because the area is surrounded by water on three sides. Overnight campers will be treated to amazing sunrises, and there are two trails in the park, a 4.8-mile hiking trail and a 1.25-mile nature trail along a boardwalk with viewing platforms. Visitors may want to check out the remains of an old sugar mill built by the founder of Mandeville in 1852.
There are 38,450 acres waiting for avid outdoor enthusiasts and hunters to explore in the National Red Dirt Wildlife Management Preserve, located in Kisatchie National Forest near Natchitoches, Louisiana. Hikers will find challenging trails to be rugged and fairly steep, so caution should be exercised. For those who decide on this area, the beautiful views more than make up for the difficulty getting there. There are designated areas that allow primitive camping between Oct. 1 and April 30, namely Oak Camp, Corral Camp, Coyote Camp, and Curtis Camp. Roadside camping is also permitted, but check with the ranger station to verify which ones are open when you arrive. Certain fees apply, so make sure to find out about those when you stop at the ranger station, too.
