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Nature|Parks & Gardens

Stop And Smell Over 20,000 Roses At This Unique Garden In Louisiana

The American Rose Center in Shreveport offers a unique and tranquil garden experience with thousands of roses in bloom.

Published Sep 21, 2021

Written by 

Jackie Sutherlin

Sometimes a walk through nature is just what you need to recharge your batteries and get a fresh perspective. The American Rose Center in Shreveport has one of the most unique gardens in Louisiana, perfect for a casual stroll year-round. Go ahead and stop and smell the roses… that’s what this place is all about!

Nestled over in Shreveport, the American Rose Center sits on 118 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds.

Sign for The Gardens of The American Rose Center, surrounded by rose bushes and tall trees in a lush garden setting.
Shenghua Ni/Google

Home to the national headquarters of the American Rose Society, the American Rose Center is the largest park dedicated to roses in the country!

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A serene garden with blooming flowers, a bench, and tall trees under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
Kelly Martin/Google

And we are lucky enough to have it right in our own backyard.

The tranquil space is just perfect for a quiet and casual stroll.

A lush garden with colorful flowers, green grass, and tall trees under a bright blue sky.
Kelly Martin/Google

As you walk along the paths, your walkway will be illuminated by a colorful splash of thousands of roses.

A winding path through a vibrant rose garden, surrounded by tall trees and lush greenery.
Ronald McGinley/Google

The official rose garden season lasts from April to October, depending on the weather, of course.

You'll see thousands of roses in bloom.

A cluster of pink and peach roses blooming amidst green leaves in a garden.
Karen Morgan Brittain/Google

And you may even spot some colorful flowers outside of all the roses!

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A vibrant display of orange and yellow tulips blooming in green foliage, surrounded by other plants in pots.
Dank Oyster Po’Boy/Google

From wide open spaces...

A quaint building surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers, with a bench in a garden setting.
Lawrence Cole/Google

...to cozy nooks that seem enchanted, The American Rose Center has plenty of spots to explore.

A serene forest scene featuring a traditional-style wooden building surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
R Martin/Google

Find yourself a bench and stop and smell the roses!

A wooden bench surrounded by blooming rose bushes in a sunny garden pathway.
Lawrence Cole/Google

It's the little things, right?

Find more information on their website, including a listing of all the varietals of roses grown in the gardens as well as home-growing tips and tricks so you can start your very own rose garden! And don't forget to give them a follow on Facebook too, so you never miss out on any special events.

If you've ever visited the American Rose Center, share your experience with us in the comments below!

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Nature

The Completely Free Arboretum Hiding in a Louisiana State Park Is a Must-Visit

The Louisiana State Arboretum is the perfect family-friendly weekend adventure.

Published Sep 16, 2024

Written by 

Jackie Sutherlin

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.

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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.

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FishingWishing/Flickr

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.

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FishingWishing/Flickr

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!

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Nature

The Breathtaking Small-Town Park in Louisiana That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Come explore this lovely small-town park in Covington, Louisiana

Published Sep 6, 2024

Written by 

Jackie Sutherlin

Small towns are generally classified as having fewer than 10,000 residents. Sometime in the last decade, Covington crossed into the 10,000+ category, although I still consider my hometown a small town. Even though when I drive over there, I’m instantly reminded that it’s more like a small-town infrastructure with a big-city population.

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Whenever I visit Covington, I always find time to swing by Bogue Falaya Wayside Park. I grew up down the street from this small-town park in Louisiana, so this particular patch of earth holds a very special place in my heart. 

I hope you’ll enjoy it just as much as I do.

Paved walking path meandering through tall pine trees in a park setting.
Elizabeth Herink/All Trails

Bogue Falaya Park is located in downtown Covington, Louisiana.

The 13-acre park first opened to the public in 1903 and is registered on the National Registry of Historic Places. It’s a bit of a local landmark around the Northshore. 

The park hugs the Bogue Falaya River for most of the park’s east side. There is a free canoe launch for anyone wanting to explore the river. There is also a lovely seating area with swings to enjoy the views or do a little fishing from the riverbanks. 

Bogue Falaya River in Covington, Louisiana on a beautiful day.
Jackie Ann/Only In Your State

You cannot swim in the Bogue Falaya, although it looks tempting! Many years ago you could—and this old lifeguard stand is one that I remember climbing on as a kid. I took this photo a few years ago, pleasantly surprised this relic from the past was still standing. 

An old, abandoned lifeguard chair on the banks of the Bogue Falaya River in Covington, Louisiana
Jackie Ann/Only In Your State

There is a pavilion available to rent for events, plus plenty of picnic tables peppered around the park.

There’s plenty of shade at the park, too. Grab some grub beforehand and enjoy a picnic lunch! There are public restrooms and plenty of parking. 

Bogue Falaya Park has come a long way since I played here as a kid. The city has done a wonderful job adding to the park and ensuring future generations can make memories here. Most notably, the playgrounds have seen a huge upgrade. The playground is ADA-compatible, so kids of all ages and abilities will have a blast here. 

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Bogue Falaya Wayside Park is open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. every day. Admission to the park is free. 

Learn more about Bogue Falaya Wayside Park on the official website for Covington. If you’ve ever visited this small-town park in Louisiana, share your memories with us in the comments!

Read on to discover some of our favorite things to do in Covington, Louisiana. Get yourself an AllTrails+ account to tackle any hiking trail with peace of mind.

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