The Scenic Louisiana Road Trip That Leads To Some Of The Best Hiking, Camping, And More

Starting off in the Northwest corner of the Pelican State, Lake Bistineau State Park is a beautiful blend of mixed hardwoods, cypress, and tupelo trees nestled along the shores of Lake Bistineau. There are 10 miles of woodland trails to explore, as well as an 11-mile canoe trail, so you’ll never get bored. There are plenty of cabins you can rent, as well as primitive campsites for those willing to sleep with the skeeters. Bug spray will be your best friend as we traverse these beautiful (though sometimes buggy) landscapes!

Our next stop brings us straight to the skies! Well, at least 535 feet upwards. Driskill Mountain is the highest natural summit in Louisiana, and the one-mile trail to the top is worth it for bragging rights alone. Obviously, you’ll be gaining some elevation as you climb to the summit, but the trail is still pretty easy as far as mountain trails are concerned. The views at the top are one-in-a-million, and there are benches peppered around so you can sit back and enjoy the scenery. Don’t forget to sign the guestbook before your descent back to the car!

After that hike to the clouds, you could use a little fun in the sun, and Jimmie Davis State Park’s beautiful beach is the perfect spot. The 294-acre state park is a popular spot for bass fishing, but if fishing’s not for you, don’t worry, you can enjoy sinking your toes into the sand along the shoreline. Stay the night in one of their rustic cabins, pitch a tent, or go with a hybrid solution and sleep in one of the 10 glamping tents.

As you head further south, you’ll be driving through the rolling hills of the Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana’s only National Forest. There are hundreds of primitive hiking trails that will take you through the 600,000+ acres, including the longest primitive trail in Louisiana, the Wild Azalea Trail. If 24 miles seems like a bit much, pull into the Longleaf Vista Recreation Area. Here, you’ll be met with incredible treetop views of the forest without ever leaving your car. We’d recommend getting out and stretching your legs on the nearby Longleaf Vista Trail, a 1.5-mile trail that is pretty rugged as far as Louisiana trails go. There are steps involved with this trail, so maybe leave the stroller in the car if you’re exploring with young nature lovers.

You’ll need more than a day to fully explore Chicot State Park, and the waterfront cabins are an ideal spot to call home for a day or two while you explore Louisiana’s largest state park. The 20-mile hiking trail is one of the most scenic trails in Louisiana, and it’ll take you all around the 6,400 acres of the park, completely encircling the lake, so you’ll have some killer views to look forward to.

The Louisiana State Arboretum is located within the park, and it’s worth your while to carve out some time to tackle these nature trails, too. It’s the oldest state-supported arboretum in the country and features more than 600 acres of indigenous flora and fauna to admire. There are nearly six miles of trails that weave throughout the arboretum, and each one is filled with enchanting emeralds, towering cypress trees, and maybe even some local wildlife.

Our final destination brings us right to the Gulf of Mexico’s back door. Well, close! Cypremort Point State Park is located on Vermilion Bay, which does lead out to the Gulf if you’re looking to do a little deepwater fishing. One thing you’ll notice as you enter the park is how tropical it feels! There’s a half-mile of beach you can relax on, as well as several picnic benches to snack on. The cabins are a great place to crash for a night or two, and trust us, you’ll want to spend a night here…at the very least, stick around until sunset. Cypremort Point has some of the most stunning sunsets in Louisiana, so grab your favorite beverage, your favorite person, and pull up some sand as you end this epic road trip with a magnificent sunset so surreal you’ll think you somehow drove to the Caribbean!