This Dreamy Road Trip Will Take You To The Best Fall Foliage In All Of Louisiana
Louisiana has some incredible fall foliage, you just need to know where to find it. According to the experts at the Smoky Mountains, Louisiana won’t see peak fall foliage until the end of October, and then it’s the perfect time to get outdoors and head to these locations to see the spectacular amber, golden, orange, and red hues that nature takes on. We’ve created a wonderful road trip you can take so you can get views of the best fall foliage in Louisiana. Gas up the car and get ready because it’s leaf-peeping season.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
To keep it a realistic drive, we've kept it to just the northern part of the state.
Situated on a high bluff overlooking Bayou Bartholomew, Chemin-A-Haut State Park is a lovely spot to start your leaf peeping adventure. This 503-acre park has two playgrounds, RV and Tent camping, cabins, and nature trails to explore. Visitors can also rent a boat to explore the water and do some fishing.
Address: 14656 State Park Road, Bastrop, LA, 71220
Jimmie Davis State Park is located on a peninsula on Caney Lake. While the lake is a big attraction to this state park, the colors in the fall are the number one reason to visit. After a day of exploring, stay a night in one of the cabins for a memorable weekend.
Address: 1209 State Park Road, Chatham, LA, 71226.
With six different trails ranging from a quarter mile to five miles, there’s something for everyone here at Lake Claiborne State Park. During the fall, the colors will simply amaze you!
Not only does this state park have five nature trails to explore, but there’s also a 6-mile equestrian trail. Plus, the sunsets over Lake Bistineau are absolutely breathtaking.
As you continue your road trip, you’ll want to stop off at North Toledo Bend State Park. Located on one of the country’s largest man-made reservoirs, North Toledo Bend State Park offers more than 900 acres of nature, perfect for camping, picnicking and hiking. There are two trails to explore, and during its peak, the colors of the trees are magnificent.
Address: 2907 North Toledo Park Road, Zwolle, LA, 71486.
Since you’re in the area, you should check out the southern part of this reservoir. South Toledo Bend State Park is situated on several small bluffs that extend over the water, offering beautiful waterfront views from many vantage points. Check out their two hiking trails or their off-highway vehicle trail for some fun.
The Kisatchie National Forest is more than 600,000 acres and is divided up into five ranger districts (Calcasieu, Caney, Catahoula, Kisatchie, and Winn) which span over seven parishes (Grant, Natchitoches, Winn, Rapides, Vernon, Caliborne, and Webster parishes). Kisatchie is great for the newbie hiker and the experienced outdoorsman. You can hike for miles over the rolling hills and beautiful vistas, set up camp, and relax by the campfires. It's the perfect way to end your epic leaf peeping adventure.
Of course, there’s so much more to do at state parks than watch the leaves change color. There are 21 state parks peppered throughout Louisiana, each one more beautiful than the next. For more information, check out our previous article here.
Do you plan on visiting any of these places for epic leaf peeping? Where is your favorite spot to watch the leaves change color and see the best fall foliage in Louisiana? Let us know in the comments below!
What is the best time to see peak fall foliage in Louisiana?
While peak fall foliage in Louisiana varies year to year (and parish to parish) you can expect this year’s fall foliage to peak around the end of October and the beginning of November. As you head further south, you can expect to see the leaves peak around mid-November or even later, depending on the weather.
Where are the best places in Louisiana to see fall foliage?
Even though Louisiana isn’t high on the list of states that have a reputation for brilliant fall colors, Louisiana still does have some truly beautiful places to see the trees change hues. The northern part of the state has some of best places in Louisiana to see the fall foliage, including Lake Claiborne State Park, Chemin-A-Haut State Park, and Jimmie Davis State Park. Just a little further south and you’ll encounter North and South Toledo Bend State Park, both beautiful state parks which are great places to view the leaves changing color.
What are the best Louisiana hikes to take in the fall?
Some of the best Louisiana hikes to take in the fall are found in the Kisatchie National Forest. Louisiana’s only national forest is over 600,000 acres sprawled out across seven parishes and divided into five Ranger Districts. There are endless primitive trails throughout the forest, perfect for both the quick hike or the epic adventurer looking to make a weekend out of it.
