It’s the perfect time of the year to spend a weekend outdoors, and there are hundreds of trails all across Louisiana to explore. We know some of the best hikes in Louisiana for this time of year, and you’ll definitely want to check them out!
- Bodcau Trail (Haughton)
Stephi Dalen/All Trails The Bodcau Trail is about 2.5-miles and ranked as moderately difficult. It’s great for hiking and biking, and you’ll be surrounded by a great forest setting. Bodcau Station Road, Bodcau Station Rd, Louisiana 71037, USA
- Toledo Bend Reservoir Trail (Anacoco)
Aly Walker/All Trails This 1.6-mile loop trail is great for all skill levels, and the beauty is at its peak from October until April. You’ll have some breathtaking views of the reservoir from this path, so be sure to bring your camera. Everyone should explore the Toledo Bend Reservoir Trail at least once! Toledo Bend Reservoir, United States
- White Tail Trail (Homer)
Cheri Holbrook/All Trails This beautiful 2.6-mile trail will lead you all around Lake Claiborne. As the name suggests, this area is home to some lovely White Tail Deer. Keep your eyes peeled and you just might see an animal or two. Come see why the White Tail Trail is one of the best scenic hikes in Louisiana. White Tail Lane, White Tail Ln, Louisiana 71107, USA
- Valentine Lake Nature Trail (Elmer)
Daniel Hebert/All Trails Located in the Kisatchie National Forest, this 1.8-mile loop trail is perfect for both a leisurely stroll and for avid runners. The Valentine Lake Nature Trail will make your heart sing! Valentine Lake, Louisiana 71409, USA
- Restoration Park Trail (West Monroe)
Rick Glisson/All Trails Only about a mile and a half long, this fun little loop trail can easily be knocked out in under an hour. The Restoration Park Trail is filled with boardwalks and bridges and features some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. Restoration Park Drive, Restoration Park Dr, Mad River Township, OH 45341, USA
- Arboretum Loop (Turkey Creek)
Joe B. King/All Trails The Arboretum Loop is almost four miles long and features beautiful wildflowers, tons of wildlife, and is great for kids. The boardwalk trails will lead you through some amazing scenery, and keep your eyes peeled for wild hogs, turtles, birds, and more. Chicot State Park, 3469 Chicot Park Rd, Ville Platte, LA 70586, USA
- Northlake Nature Center South Loop (Mandeville)
Sean Hurly/All Trails This loop trail is about two miles and goes through some amazing wetlands and forests. The boardwalk trails will lead you through some stunning scenery while underneath the canopy of the beautiful pine and hardwood forests. Come see why people say the Northlake Nature Center South Loop is one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Louisiana! Northlake Nature Center, 23135 U.S. Hwy 190, Mandeville, LA 70448, USA
- Monkey Trail (Keithville)
Vanessa McKnight/All Trails This trail is a little bit longer, clocking in at 6.5 miles, but it’s certainly worth it. This area features beautiful wildflowers and lovely scenery, but what makes this trail truly unique is the chorus of monkeys you’ll hear in the distance from nearby Chimp Haven! They don’t call it The Monkey Trail for nothing! Eddie D Jones Park, 8400 Mike Clark Rd, Keithville, LA 71047, USA
- Audubon Park Loop (New Orleans)
Cicyian/Trip Advisor Head over to New Orleans to experience this lovely urban oasis. The Audubon Park Loop Trail is just shy of two miles and is perfect for hiking, walking, running, and biking. Come take a stroll underneath the majestic oak trees and take in all the sights and sounds. Audubon Park, 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
Have you explored any of the best hikes in Louisiana? Let us know in the comments below!
Stephi Dalen/All Trails
The Bodcau Trail is about 2.5-miles and ranked as moderately difficult. It’s great for hiking and biking, and you’ll be surrounded by a great forest setting.
Bodcau Station Road, Bodcau Station Rd, Louisiana 71037, USA
Aly Walker/All Trails
This 1.6-mile loop trail is great for all skill levels, and the beauty is at its peak from October until April. You’ll have some breathtaking views of the reservoir from this path, so be sure to bring your camera. Everyone should explore the Toledo Bend Reservoir Trail at least once!
Toledo Bend Reservoir, United States
Cheri Holbrook/All Trails
This beautiful 2.6-mile trail will lead you all around Lake Claiborne. As the name suggests, this area is home to some lovely White Tail Deer. Keep your eyes peeled and you just might see an animal or two. Come see why the White Tail Trail is one of the best scenic hikes in Louisiana.
White Tail Lane, White Tail Ln, Louisiana 71107, USA
Daniel Hebert/All Trails
Located in the Kisatchie National Forest, this 1.8-mile loop trail is perfect for both a leisurely stroll and for avid runners. The Valentine Lake Nature Trail will make your heart sing!
Valentine Lake, Louisiana 71409, USA
Rick Glisson/All Trails
Only about a mile and a half long, this fun little loop trail can easily be knocked out in under an hour. The Restoration Park Trail is filled with boardwalks and bridges and features some of the most beautiful scenery in the area.
Restoration Park Drive, Restoration Park Dr, Mad River Township, OH 45341, USA
Joe B. King/All Trails
The Arboretum Loop is almost four miles long and features beautiful wildflowers, tons of wildlife, and is great for kids. The boardwalk trails will lead you through some amazing scenery, and keep your eyes peeled for wild hogs, turtles, birds, and more.
Chicot State Park, 3469 Chicot Park Rd, Ville Platte, LA 70586, USA
Sean Hurly/All Trails
This loop trail is about two miles and goes through some amazing wetlands and forests. The boardwalk trails will lead you through some stunning scenery while underneath the canopy of the beautiful pine and hardwood forests. Come see why people say the Northlake Nature Center South Loop is one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Louisiana!
Northlake Nature Center, 23135 U.S. Hwy 190, Mandeville, LA 70448, USA
Vanessa McKnight/All Trails
This trail is a little bit longer, clocking in at 6.5 miles, but it’s certainly worth it. This area features beautiful wildflowers and lovely scenery, but what makes this trail truly unique is the chorus of monkeys you’ll hear in the distance from nearby Chimp Haven! They don’t call it The Monkey Trail for nothing!
Eddie D Jones Park, 8400 Mike Clark Rd, Keithville, LA 71047, USA
Cicyian/Trip Advisor
Head over to New Orleans to experience this lovely urban oasis. The Audubon Park Loop Trail is just shy of two miles and is perfect for hiking, walking, running, and biking. Come take a stroll underneath the majestic oak trees and take in all the sights and sounds.
Audubon Park, 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
If you love venturing through our state’s natural beauty, check out our Louisiana Nature Lovers group on Facebook. You’ll find tons of awesome photos snapped by fellow Louisianans and can share your own from your epic adventures across the state!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Louisiana April 11, 2022 Elisa Regulski What hikes in Louisiana are short and sweet? Don’t want to break a sweat? Don’t worry! There are so many easy hikes in Louisiana. For starters, check out the Lake Chicot Loop Trail in Ville Platte. The entire trail spans 17 miles, but you don’t need to traverse the whole thing. In fact, for the best views, you only need to meander around the lake! Carve out a day to visit Chico State Park and see for yourself. For more fun, hike the Backbone Trail in Natchitoches. These treetop views will absolutely blow you away. Eager to learn more? Read our full article about the best low-key hikes in Louisiana. Are there any good swimming holes in Louisiana? Of course there are! If you’ve never been to the Bogue Chitto River, add it to your bucket list immediately. This river sits north of Lake Pontchartrain, and it’s absolutely stunning. For a full weekend of fun, spend some time at the nearby state park. There, you can go tubing and soak up the sights. Kisatchie Bayou, located in Natchitoches, is another refreshing place to swim. For more travel inspiration, check out our full list of the best swimming holes in Louisiana. What are the best outdoor adventures in Louisiana? You might be aware of some of the best hiking trails in Louisiana, but that’s not the only thing you can do in this awesome state! Here, you can also enjoy an exciting bike ride on Tammany Trace. This 31-mile asphalt trail spans the site of the former Illinois Central Railroad corridor, and the sights can’t be beat.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in Louisiana
April 11, 2022
Elisa Regulski
What hikes in Louisiana are short and sweet? Don’t want to break a sweat? Don’t worry! There are so many easy hikes in Louisiana. For starters, check out the Lake Chicot Loop Trail in Ville Platte. The entire trail spans 17 miles, but you don’t need to traverse the whole thing. In fact, for the best views, you only need to meander around the lake! Carve out a day to visit Chico State Park and see for yourself. For more fun, hike the Backbone Trail in Natchitoches. These treetop views will absolutely blow you away. Eager to learn more? Read our full article about the best low-key hikes in Louisiana. Are there any good swimming holes in Louisiana? Of course there are! If you’ve never been to the Bogue Chitto River, add it to your bucket list immediately. This river sits north of Lake Pontchartrain, and it’s absolutely stunning. For a full weekend of fun, spend some time at the nearby state park. There, you can go tubing and soak up the sights. Kisatchie Bayou, located in Natchitoches, is another refreshing place to swim. For more travel inspiration, check out our full list of the best swimming holes in Louisiana. What are the best outdoor adventures in Louisiana? You might be aware of some of the best hiking trails in Louisiana, but that’s not the only thing you can do in this awesome state! Here, you can also enjoy an exciting bike ride on Tammany Trace. This 31-mile asphalt trail spans the site of the former Illinois Central Railroad corridor, and the sights can’t be beat.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Don’t want to break a sweat? Don’t worry! There are so many easy hikes in Louisiana. For starters, check out the Lake Chicot Loop Trail in Ville Platte. The entire trail spans 17 miles, but you don’t need to traverse the whole thing. In fact, for the best views, you only need to meander around the lake! Carve out a day to visit Chico State Park and see for yourself. For more fun, hike the Backbone Trail in Natchitoches. These treetop views will absolutely blow you away. Eager to learn more? Read our full article about the best low-key hikes in Louisiana.
Are there any good swimming holes in Louisiana?
Of course there are! If you’ve never been to the Bogue Chitto River, add it to your bucket list immediately. This river sits north of Lake Pontchartrain, and it’s absolutely stunning. For a full weekend of fun, spend some time at the nearby state park. There, you can go tubing and soak up the sights. Kisatchie Bayou, located in Natchitoches, is another refreshing place to swim. For more travel inspiration, check out our full list of the best swimming holes in Louisiana.
What are the best outdoor adventures in Louisiana?
You might be aware of some of the best hiking trails in Louisiana, but that’s not the only thing you can do in this awesome state! Here, you can also enjoy an exciting bike ride on Tammany Trace. This 31-mile asphalt trail spans the site of the former Illinois Central Railroad corridor, and the sights can’t be beat.
