Louisiana
Nature|Parks & Gardens

Enjoy A Secluded Stroll On A Little-Known Path Along This Iconic Louisiana Lake

Published Aug 28, 2024

Written by 

Jackie Sutherlin

There are few things I enjoy more than taking a peaceful stroll down a scenic trail. These days, it can be tricky to find a secluded trail where you’re not constantly battling other hikers, but I found one for you!

There are plenty of amazing hiking trails in Shreveport. Nature parks like the Walter B Jacobs Memorial Nature Park and Betty Virginia Park are great, family-friendly parks that can easily fill up an afternoon. If you’re on the hunt for something a little more secluded, then make your way over to Ford Park.

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Rudy Rodriquez/Google Reviews

Ford Park sits on the southern shores of Cross Lake, just 10 miles from downtown Shreveport. 

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The 80-acre park is part of SPAR’s network of parks in the Shreveport area. SPAR also maintains Betty Virginia Park, Highland Park, the Red River Bicycle Trail, the Shreveport Dog Park, Riverview Park, and many others. 

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Alex Saundes/Google Reviews

There are several outdoor attractions at Ford Park that make this one of SPAR’s most popular parks. The kids love the playground, the parents love the boat launch, disc golf course, and tennis courts—it’s a win-win! 

There’s also a fishing pier for folks who want to do a little fishing without the hassle of launching a boat. Cross Lake is a popular fishing hole for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and freshwater drum. If you plan on doing any fishing, make sure you have a Louisiana fishing license.

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Camaleisha Spencer/Google Reviews

From 1950 until the 70s, Ford Park was home to a children’s zoo. While the zoo is long gone, you’ll see a few relics of the past during your visit. 

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Most notable is the old train engine. The train was used in the construction of the Panama Canal and was delivered to the park in 1957. It’s a unique little slice of history that you don’t come across every day!

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Rudy Rodriquez/Google Reviews

While many outdoor adventurers enjoy the sports courts and fishing, the nature trail is my personal favorite part of the park.

Ford Park Loop is a 1.6-mile loop trail that’s both kid-friendly and dog-friendly. It’s decent for strollers, but you might get stuck in a few areas if you’re visiting after a rainfall. 

waterfront image surrounded by green trees
Jean-Michel Dumont/All Trails

There’s a section of the trail that takes you right along the water’s edge. It’s a beautiful area that’s perfect for a quiet stroll. Just look at those enchanting emeralds!

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Lijun Zhou/Google Reviews

Take my advice: wear bug spray! The mosquitos can get pretty bad, especially if there’s no wind to keep the little buggers away.

Ford Park is open from sunrise to sunset every day. Visit the SPAR website to learn more about this park and all of SPAR’s amazing parks. 

Read on to discover some of our favorite parks and hidden gems in Louisiana.

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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. 

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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