This Louisiana Road Trip Takes You From The Shores Of The Gulf To The Tree Top Views In The Kisatchie

Nestled along the beautiful Vermilion Bay, visitors to this state park can enjoy fishing along the pier, sunbathing along the beach, or splashing around in the water. There is a boat launch nearby if you’d like to explore the bay, which also flows right into the Gulf of Mexico if you’re up for fishing in deeper waters.

And we know just the spot.

Known for their overstuffed po’boys, or poor boys as they call them, you won’t find a better po’boy outside of the Crescent City.

Located within Chicot State Park, the arboretum was established in 1961 and is the oldest state-supported arboretum in the country. There are several trails you can take that will lead you through the 600-acre site.

The forest has hundreds of trails to explore, and the Wild Azalea Trail is just one of them. It also happens to be the longest primitive trail in the state, clocking in at just shy of 24 miles. While you don’t have to tackle the whole trail in this trip, it’s a great stop to stretch your legs and see the sights. As you may have guessed, the trail is named for the abundance of wild azaleas that grow in the area, which tend to bloom in late March and early April.

Ok, maybe not the clouds, but you will be in for some elevation. The Driskill Mountain trail is about two miles up to the summit, where you’ll be standing at 535 feet, the highest natural summit in Louisiana. Sure, it’s no Denali, but when you reach the top and catch a glimpse of the view below, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world.