Now that the dog days of summer are behind us, we can look forward to better temperatures, fewer bugs, and more outdoor adventures! One of my favorite state parks in Louisiana is Chicot State Park. Clocking in at 6,400 acres, it’s the largest state park in Louisiana’s park system. Between the epic hiking trails and aquatic activities you can have here, you could easily spend an entire weekend at Chicot State Park.

What visitors might not know is that the nearby Louisiana State Arboretum is right next door, and it’s also a part of Chicot State Park. It’s a wonderful natural area to explore, and admission is completely free.

Even though the Louisiana State Arboretum and Chicot State Park have separate entrances, the arboretum is a part of the state park. The Arboretum has a much cooler claim though—it’s the oldest state-supported Arboretum in the United States!

It was established in 1961, though initial efforts began in the 1950s. Louisiana’s favorite Superwoman, Caroline Dormon, was an instrumental player in getting the Arboretum established. She's one of my favorite Louisiana history figures and I bring her up as often as I can. Not only is she one of the main reasons we have the Arboretum, but also the Kisatchie National Forest. You can visit her childhood home, Briarwood, which is about two hours north of the Arboretum. She was the first woman to be hired to the United States Forest Service. Let's just say Louisiana would look much different without her.

The 600-acre Arboretum boasts over 150 species of native Louisiana plants. The trails at the Louisiana State Arboretum will lead you underneath a canopy of a mature Beech-Magonila forest, with plenty of informational signs along the way. An AllTrails + account will be helpful here!

The trails are easy enough for just about anyone to complete, and they're very kid-friendly. The Arboretum is actually a wonderful place to introduce your kids to the beauty of Louisiana's natural scenery. The informational placards ensure you'll be able to answer all of their questions.

Wildlife is abundant here, and it’s not uncommon to see foxes, raccoons, and turkeys. You might even have a white-tailed deer dart across the trail!

While admission to Louisiana State Parks is generally $3 per person, admission to the Louisiana State Arboretum’s trail system is completely free. The gate opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.

Check out the official Louisiana State Park website to learn more about our state parks.  If you've ever visited the Louisiana State Arboretum, share your experience with us in the comments.

While you're in the area, check out some of our favorite things to do in Ville Platte, Louisiana. It's a nature lover's paradise!