There's always something new popping up in the Pelican State. New adventures seem to always pop up, catering to the seasons, and right now it's the perfect time to be spending your days outdoors. Tucked away underneath the tall pines in Natchitoches lies one of the most amazing hidden gems in Louisiana, and you're not going to want to waste any time checking it out. It's the only place where you can dig for fossils in Louisiana, and this is one unique attraction that the entire family will thoroughly enjoy. Let's check it out:
Dark Woods Adventure Park is a year-round attraction that transforms every season.
In the fall, it's one of the spookiest haunted houses, attracting people from all over central Louisiana looking for an adrenaline-inducing evening. Then in the winter, Dark Woods transforms into a twinkling winter wonderland that’s a popular attraction for families who want to get lost in an enchanting landscape.
And for the summer, they transform yet again into a unique attraction that you won’t find anywhere else in Louisiana.
And all you’ll need is your adventurous spirit and some free time to kill.
At Dark Woods’ Lost Treasure Mine, you can hunt for raw gemstones and fossils from around the world.
The 95-foot authentic outdoor water sluice is the only one of its kind in the state, and this is one attraction the whole family can get in on.
As the only place you can dig for fossils in Louisiana, this is a must-try.
Of course, the fossils, gemstones, and other minerals you'll find are shipped in, so they're not native to the area, but that doesn't dampen the experience one bit.
They’ll start you off with everything you need to begin your mining adventure.
There is no admission cost, you only pay for the package you want. Packages start at $8.99 and include a mystery bag full of crystals, gemstones, fossils, shark teeth, spear points, and more. Every bag has a guarantee, so you won't walk away empty-handed, and you get to keep what you find!
The whole family will have a blast searching for gemstones to bring home.
Who knows, maybe this will be the beginning of a new collection or hobby!
Treasure hunting can work up an appetite, and luckily you won’t have to go far to grab a snack.
Stop off at Dark Woods’ Black Cat Cafe in between hunting and fuel up on everything from ice cream to nachos and meat pies. Meat pies are a favorite when it comes to popular foods in the Natchitoches area, and these stuffed pockets of bread are just delicious.
Dark Woods Adventure Park would also love to host your upcoming birthday, too.
They offer a specific birthday party package with several add-ons to make the birthday party as unique as you are, and trust us--this is one special spot that will create memories y'all will be talking about for years to come!
For more information, be sure to check out the Dark Woods Adventure Park's website and be sure to follow Dark Woods on Facebook, too.
Have you visited Dark Woods to dig for gemstones? What about in other seasons? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.
While you're in Natchitoches, you may want to carve out some time to do a little exploring! The 33-block Historic District is a great place to start.
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