States louisiana
Southeast United States

louisiana

Louisiana, the Bayou State, offers some of the most distinctive and unique hiking experiences in the southeastern United States. Far from typical mountain trails, Louisiana hiking showcases subtropical wetlands, ancient cypress-tupelo swamps, winding bayous, rare loess bluffs, rolling pine forests, and the state’s surprising pockets of elevation in the Kisatchie Hills and Tunica Hills regions.

A few highlights from this state’s most popular hiking trails include:

  • Wild Azalea Trail in Kisatchie National Forest – a long, scenic path exploding with pink and purple azalea blooms in spring, winding through mixed pine-hardwood forests, creeks, and bayous
  • Caroline Dormon Trail – a peaceful tribute trail along Kisatchie Bayou with pine ridges, hardwood bottoms, swimming holes, and excellent camping opportunities
  • Backbone Trail in Kisatchie Hills Wilderness – a rugged ridge hike featuring sandstone bluffs, rocky outcrops, creeks, and panoramic overlooks in Louisiana’s most elevated wilderness area
  • Tunica Hills Trail System (Trails A, B, and C) – steep ravines, seasonal waterfalls, loess bluffs, and lush hardwood forests in one of the state’s most topographically dramatic areas
  • Driskill Mountain Summit Trail – a short but rewarding climb to Louisiana’s highest natural point at 535 feet, marked by a summit plaque amid piney woods
  • Longleaf Vista Interpretive Trail – an accessible loop with stunning views of the Kisatchie Hills “Little Grand Canyon,” sandstone formations, and longleaf pine ecology
  • Barataria Preserve Trails (Jean Lafitte National Historical Park) – elevated boardwalks through classic Louisiana cypress swamps, bayous, and marshes teeming with alligators, herons, and egrets
  • Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge Trails – wetland paths through bottomland hardwoods and bayous, ideal for birdwatching and experiencing the Atchafalaya Basin’s edges
  • Fontainebleau State Park Trails – shaded loops under massive live oaks and along Lake Pontchartrain, with historical ruins and coastal breezes
  • Chicot State Park Backpack Trail – an 18-mile loop around Lake Chicot through diverse forests, wetlands, and backcountry campsites

Whether you’re seeking an easy, flat boardwalk stroll through swamps and marshes, a moderate pine-forest day hike, or a challenging backpacking adventure with elevation changes rare for Louisiana, the state has trails for every ability. Families enjoy accessible paths like the Longleaf Vista and Barataria Preserve boardwalks, while experienced hikers head to the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness and Tunica Hills for rugged terrain and solitude.

In addition to its natural beauty, Louisiana hiking frequently intertwines with rich cultural and historical layers. Trails at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Cane River Creole National Historical Park pass through sites tied to Creole and Acadian heritage, plantation history, and early settlement. Many paths also highlight Native American and colonial pasts, as well as the Civilian Conservation Corps legacy in state parks like Chicot and Fontainebleau.

Hiking in Louisiana is an immersive way to connect with the state’s extraordinary ecosystems: vast bottomland hardwood forests, rare longleaf pine savannas, coastal marshes, bayou corridors, and even small upland hills that support unique flora and fauna. You’ll encounter alligators basking on logs, migratory birds, blooming wild azaleas, Spanish moss-draped oaks, and the quiet rhythm of water moving through the landscape. Interpretive trails in Kisatchie National Forest and wildlife refuges provide deeper insights into ecology, conservation, and the delicate balance of Louisiana’s wetlands.

Whether you’re exploring the mystical cypress swamps, chasing spring azalea displays, climbing to unexpected ridge views, or simply soaking in the subtropical serenity, Louisiana delivers one-of-a-kind outdoor adventures and celebrates the wild, watery heart of the Deep South.

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Trail Locations in louisiana

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Trails in louisiana

Atchafalaya Basin Swamp Trail

St. Martin County

2

Deep swamp immersion in America's largest river basin.

2.5 mi
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Atchafalaya NWR Boardwalk

St. Martin County

1

Elevated swamp experience in the great basin.

1.0 mi
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Atchafalaya NWR Trail

St. Martin County

2

Swamp and bayou path in basin.

3.5 mi
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Backbone Trail

Natchitoches County

4

Rugged ridge hike with bluffs and wilderness immersion.

12.0 mi
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Backbone Trail - Central Loop

Natchitoches County

3

Heart of the wilderness with premier bluffs and creeks.

5.0 mi
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Backbone Trail - North Extension

Natchitoches County

4

Northern ridge extension with bluffs.

4.0 mi
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Backbone Trail - South Extension

Natchitoches County

3

Southern wilderness section with creeks and bluffs.

3.0 mi
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Barataria Preserve Bayou Coquille Trail

Jefferson County

1

Boardwalk extension to scenic bayou overlook.

0.9 mi
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Barataria Preserve Marsh Overlook Trail

Jefferson County

1

Short walk to panoramic marsh viewing platform.

0.5 mi
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Barataria Preserve Ring Levee Trail

Jefferson County

2

Extended levee loop with panoramic marsh views.

4.0 mi
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Barataria Preserve Trail

Jefferson County

1

Boardwalk through Louisiana swamps and marshes.

2.5 mi
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Bayou Cocodrie Boardwalk

Concordia County

1

Elevated path through pristine bottomland swamp.

1.0 mi
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Bayou Cocodrie Refuge Extension

Concordia County

2

Extended wetland exploration through bottomland forest.

2.0 mi
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Bayou Cocodrie Trail

Concordia County

2

Wetland hike through bottomland hardwoods.

3.0 mi
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Bayou Cocodrie Wildlife Trail

Concordia County

2

Wildlife-focused extension through prime habitat.

2.5 mi
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Bayou Sauvage Boardwalk Trail

Orleans County

1

Elevated marsh experience minutes from downtown.

1.0 mi
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Bayou Sauvage Levee Trail

Orleans County

1

Levee-top walk with marsh and city views.

3.0 mi
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Bayou Sauvage Ridge Trail

Orleans County

1

Urban wilderness with marshes near New Orleans.

2.0 mi
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Bayou Sauvage Wetland Trail

Orleans County

2

Extended exploration beyond the boardwalk.

2.0 mi
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Cane River Creole Magnolia Trail

Natchitoches County

1

Historic Magnolia Plantation grounds exploration.

1.0 mi
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Cane River Creole NHP Trail

Natchitoches County

1

Historic plantation path along Cane River.

2.0 mi
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Cane River Creole Oakland Loop

Natchitoches County

1

Historic plantation grounds with Creole heritage.

1.5 mi
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Caney Lakes Recreation Trail

Webster County

2

Lakeside paths with pines.

3.0 mi
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Caney Lakes Sugar Cane Extension

Webster County

1

Extended lakeside walk with seasonal wildflowers.

2.0 mi
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Caney Lakes Upper Lake Trail

Webster County

1

Peaceful circuit around Upper Caney Lake.

2.5 mi
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Caroline Dormon Trail

Natchitoches County

3

Tribute trail along Kisatchie Bayou with camping and scenic bayou views.

10.5 mi
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Chicot State Park Arboretum Trail

Evangeline County

1

Botanical loop with labeled trees.

1.0 mi
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Chicot State Park Backpack Trail

Evangeline County

4

Backcountry loop around Lake Chicot.

18.0 mi
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Chicot State Park Lake Loop

Evangeline County

2

Partial lake circuit with constant water views.

5.0 mi
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Chicot State Park Nature Trail

Evangeline County

1

Family-friendly interpretive forest walk.

0.8 mi
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Cypremort Point Beach Trail

St. Mary County

1

Sandy beach walk with bay views and shells.

0.8 mi
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Cypremort Point Marsh Trail

St. Mary County

1

Marsh grass path extending toward Vermilion Bay.

1.2 mi
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Cypremort Point State Park Trail

St. Mary County

1

Coastal marsh path to Vermilion Bay.

1.0 mi
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Driskill Mountain Summit Trail

Bienville County

2

Climb Louisiana's highest point at 535 feet.

1.8 mi
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Fontainebleau State Park Alligator Marsh Trail

St. Tammany County

1

Marsh trail with frequent alligator sightings.

1.5 mi
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Fontainebleau State Park Lakefront Trail

St. Tammany County

1

Breezy shoreline walk along Lake Pontchartrain.

2.0 mi
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Fontainebleau State Park Oak Grove Trail

St. Tammany County

1

Loop through ancient oaks and lakefront.

1.2 mi
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Kisatchie Bayou Campground Trail

Natchitoches County

1

Short bayou loop from campground.

1.0 mi
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Kisatchie Bayou Overlook Trail

Natchitoches County

1

Quick hike to scenic bayou vista point.

0.6 mi
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Kisatchie Bayou Sandbar Trail

Natchitoches County

1

Quick access to popular swimming sandbar.

0.5 mi
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Lacassine NWR Levee Extension

Cameron County

1

Extended levee walk through prime waterfowl habitat.

5.0 mi
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Lacassine NWR Observation Tower Trail

Cameron County

1

Short path to elevated marsh viewing platform.

0.5 mi
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Lacassine NWR Pool Loop Trail

Cameron County

1

Levee trail around wildlife pool.

3.5 mi
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Lake Bistineau Cypress Loop

Webster County

2

Scenic loop through cypress-lined lakeshore.

1.8 mi
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Lake Bistineau Nature Trail

Webster County

1

Educational lakeside path with interpretive signs.

1.0 mi
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Lake Bistineau State Park Trail

Webster County

2

Lakeshore and forest loop.

2.5 mi
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Longleaf Pine Interpretive Loop

Natchitoches County

1

Educational loop explaining longleaf pine ecology.

1.0 mi
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Longleaf Scenic Area Trail

Natchitoches County

1

Paved interpretive path with longleaf pines.

0.8 mi
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Longleaf Scenic Byway Trail Spur

Natchitoches County

1

Roadside pullout to quick forest immersion.

0.5 mi
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Longleaf Vista Interpretive Trail

Natchitoches County

2

Scenic loop with overlooks of Kisatchie Hills 'Little Grand Canyon'.

1.5 mi
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North Toledo Bend Overlook Trail

Sabine County

1

Quick walk to panoramic reservoir views.

0.5 mi
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North Toledo Bend Piney Loop

Sabine County

2

Pine forest circuit with gentle rolling terrain.

2.5 mi
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North Toledo Bend State Park Trail

Sabine County

3

Hilly loop with Toledo Bend Reservoir views.

3.0 mi
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Palmetto Island Canoe Trail

Vermilion County

2

Hikeable edges along scenic paddling route.

2.0 mi
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Palmetto Island Cypress Trail

Vermilion County

1

Extension through cypress wetland habitat.

1.0 mi
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Palmetto Island Nature Trail

Vermilion County

1

Interpretive path through subtropical palmetto forest.

0.5 mi
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Palmetto Island State Park Trail

Vermilion County

1

Loop through palmetto and cypress wetlands.

1.5 mi
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Sandstone Trail

Natchitoches County

3

Scenic bluffs and sandstone outcrops in Kisatchie NF.

7.0 mi
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Sandstone Trail - Connector Spur

Natchitoches County

2

Short link between Sandstone Trail loops.

1.0 mi
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Sandstone Trail - North Loop

Natchitoches County

3

Northern sandstone formations and ravine scenery.

4.0 mi
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Sandstone Trail - South Loop

Natchitoches County

3

Southern extension with dramatic sandstone outcrops.

3.5 mi
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South Toledo Bend Pine Trail

Vernon County

1

Shaded pine forest path to lakeside views.

1.2 mi
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South Toledo Bend Reservoir Trail

Vernon County

1

Waterside trail with fishing access points.

1.5 mi
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South Toledo Bend State Park Trail

Vernon County

1

Lakeside path with fishing piers.

2.0 mi
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Sugar Cane Trail

Webster County

1

Easy lakeside loop with wildflowers around Caney Lake.

4.0 mi
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Tunica Hills Connector Spur

West Feliciana County

2

Streamside link between trail systems.

1.5 mi
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Tunica Hills Ravine Loop

West Feliciana County

3

Concentrated ravine scenery with seasonal waterfalls.

2.5 mi
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Tunica Hills Trail A

West Feliciana County

3

Ravine and bluff hike with waterfalls in WMA.

3.8 mi
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Tunica Hills Trail B

West Feliciana County

4

Extended loop with more ravines and wildlife.

5.5 mi
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Tunica Hills Trail C

West Feliciana County

3

Connector trail linking A and B through creek valleys.

2.0 mi
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Turpentine Trail

Natchitoches County

4

Connects to Backbone for ridge views in Kisatchie Hills.

5.0 mi
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Wild Azalea Trail

Rapides County

3

Vibrant spring blooms through pine-hardwood forest and bayous.

24.0 mi
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Wild Azalea Trail - Boy Scout Segment

Rapides County

2

Trail section passing historic scout camp areas.

4.0 mi
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Wild Azalea Trail - Kincaid Lake Segment

Rapides County

2

Lake-adjacent section with spring blooms and water views.

6.0 mi
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Wild Azalea Trail - Valentine Lake Segment

Rapides County

2

Azalea section near lake with spring blooms.

5.0 mi
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