Louisiana is home to spectacular and diverse ecosystems and our walking trails offer native plants and wildlife in their natural habitats. Parks and trails highlight Louisiana’s abundant natural resources to be experienced at one’s leisure, whether in the hardwood forests, Longleaf Pine savannas, bayous, swamps, coastal plains or coastal marshes. These areas were set aside for their beauty to be preserved so everyone can enjoy them.
Below are some of the nature preserves and walking trails in our area where you can get back to nature and experience moments of silence and awe, seeing nature as it was meant to be seen. Along these trails, take in the native flora as well as the pollinators, birds and other wildlife dependent on it. Take some time to get out there, relax a bit and enjoy the natural world. You’ll be glad you did!
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Big Branch, La.
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/big-branch-marsh
Bogue Chitto State Park
17049 State Park Blvd
Franklinton, La 70438
985-839-5707
https://www.lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/bogue-chitto-state-park
Boy Scout Road Trail, off Hwy 190, Lacombe, La
985-882-2000
https://g.co/kgs/qHwEpVk
Camp Salmen Nature Park,
35112 Parish Pkwy, Hwy 190
Slidell, La
https://www.campsalmennaturepark.org/visitors/camp_salmen_nature_park/index.php
Fairview Riverside State Park
119 Fairview Drive off Hwy 21
Madisonville, La 70447
985-845-3318
https://www.lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/fairview-riverside-state-park
Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve, Hwy 435,
Abita Springs, La
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/abita-creek-flatwoods-preserve/
Tammany Trace Bike Trail
Covington, Mandeville and Slidell, La
985-898-2700
https://www.stpgov.org/visitors/tammany_trace/index.php
Fontainebleau State Park
62883 LA-1089 off Hwy 190
Mandeville, La 70448
985-624-4443
https://www.lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/fontainebleau-state-park
Northlake Nature Center
23135 US-190
Mandeville, La 70448
985-626-1238
https://northlakenature.org/
Pelican Park Recreation District #1
63350 Pelican Drive
Mandeville, La 70448
985-626-1444
https://pelicanpark.recdesk.com/Community/Page?pageId=19076
Tickfaw State Park
27225 Patterson Road
Springfield, La 70462
225-294-5020
https://www.lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/tickfaw-state-park
The Crosby Arboretum
370 Ridge Road
Picayune, Ms 39466
601-799-2311
http://www.crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu/
Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
Lock 1 Road
Pearl River, La 70452
985-882-2000
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bogue-chitto
Bogue Falaya Wayside Park
213 Park Dr
Covington, La 70433
985-892-1811
https://www.covla.com/city-departments/parks-recreation/
Abita Springs Trailhead Park
22044 Main St
Abita Springs, La 70420
985-892-0711
http://www.trailheadmuseum.org
Lake Ramsay Preserve
Horse Branch Rd
Covington, La 70435
985-809-1414
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/lake-ramsay-preserve/
Blue Swamp Creek Nature Trail
4001 De Porres Road ( off Ronald Reagan Hwy)
Covington, La 70433
985-898-4737
https://www.covla.com/city-departments/parks-recreation/
Other Resources to find walking trails in your area:
AllTrails
Discover unexpected gems, even in your own backyard. 65M+ fellow explorers. Share your adventures and learn from our global community.
https://www.alltrails.com/
LaStatePark
Visit Louisiana state parks, the Sportsman’s Paradise, while visiting our recreational and historic sites. You won’t be at a loss for something to do.
https://www.lastateparks.com/state-parks-historic-sites
Explore Louisiana
Plan your Louisiana Adventure. Louisiana Parks and Nature, Hiking and Biking Trails, State Parks, and One of the largest game preserves in the US.
https://www.explorelouisiana.com/outdoors