The Spontaneous Weekend Road Trip in Louisiana You Will Want to Take

Are you feeling spontaneous? Gas up the car and check out this epic road trip. Starting from Lafayette and ending in Lake Charles, this road trip in Louisiana takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of Cajun Country. It leads you through some of Cajun Country's most popular cities, combining historic landmarks with beautiful natural scenery, and of course, we stop off and enjoy some of the best places to eat.

This is my own personal spin on the Creole Nature Trail— another epic Louisiana road trip you should add to your bucket list.

Best Stops on This Louisiana Weekend Road Trip

The road trip begins in Lafayette, but make sure you give yourself enough time to explore the city. With a population that hovers north of 120,000 residents, Lafayette has been called "the happiest city in America" and offers a plethora of attractions you'll want to check out.

You could easily spend an entire weekend in Lafayette. Since we don’t have that kind of time, let’s hit the highlights.

LARC’S Acadian Village, Vermilionville, and the Acadiana Park Nature Station are each family-friendly spots that appeal to both nature lovers and history lovers alike.

If your krewe is especially nature-driven, I’d recommend taking a detour over to Breaux Bridge to check out Lake Martin. Both the city and the lake are two of my favorite stops when I'm over on that side of Louisiana. I could spend hours watching the alligators and turtles that call the lake home, and don't even get me started on the birds in the area. It's an excellent spot for birdwatching!

Heading south from Lafayette, Abbeville is a great spot for lunch.

RiverFront is our top pick. Not only does it overlook the Vermilion River, but they’ve got some of the best food in town. All of your Louisiana favorites make an appearance on the menu, plus a few specialty creations.

If you want to detour to Palmetto Island State Park, now’s the time. This scenic 1,300-acre state park in Louisiana is truly a paradise for nature lovers.

Keep those Vermilion River views going! The splash pad and playground are always a hit with the kids, and the nature trail here is under a mile long (perfect for those little legs).

You can also rent a boat or a canoe from the park and explore the river from an entirely new perspective! Cabin rentals are also available if you’d like to extend the trip.

Once you hit Pecan Island, you’ll drive through the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy the sights and sounds of these marshlands on this scenic drive. It’s a favorite among migratory birds, so keep your eyes peeled!

Rutherford Beach is just after the refuge.

Did you think we’d pass up the opportunity to soak up some sun? Of course not! We love Rutherford Beach for so many reasons: the seashells, the sand…the fact that you can drive right onto the beach…all of it! Just be sure to leave no trace.

The road trip continues west and includes a short ride on the Cameron ferry.

The Cameron Ferry takes about 25 minutes and will run you $1 per car. Quick and easy! Oh, and if you’re lucky you might even spot a dolphin in the water! Check the schedule beforehand to get your timing right.

From the ferry, continue on LA-27 N for nine miles and enjoy yet another Louisiana beach!

Holly Beach is more popular than Rutherford Beach, but honestly, both are hidden gems. You can also drive onto Holly Beach, just like Rutherford Beach, and spend as much time as you’d like here. Heck, you can even camp right on the beach!

After Holly Beach, follow LA-27 N. This scenic road takes you through the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, plus plenty of spots in Hackberry where you can get out and stretch your legs.

Wetland Walkway is a must. It's only 1.5 miles long and a great walk through Louisiana's natural landscape. If you have the Merlin app (birdspotting), this is a great place to use it.

We’re in the home stretch now! Our final stop is Lake Charles.

Check out Millennium Park and Prien Lake Park for waterfront fun. You may even swing by Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point to start planning your own epic road trip through this part of Louisiana!

Are you inspired to take this road trip in Louisiana? Pack up the car and let us know how it goes! Safe travels!