| From pristine lakes and magnolia forests, to the | | | | including a boathouse, launching ramps, watercraft |
| Gulf of Mexico’s sandy shores, Louisiana’s | | | | rentals and large fishing piers. Lake Chicot holds |
| natural areas shine. While touring the "Pelican | | | | plenty of feisty, largemouth bass, bluegill and |
| State" enjoy camping at Louisiana campgrounds | | | | red-eared sunfish. For guests who aren’t into |
| and Louisiana RV resorts, which are ran by | | | | angling, this pleasing park offers a big swimming |
| hospitable and kind southern friends. Special | | | | pool, numerous cozy picnic facilities and nature |
| exhibits at state museums, themed concerts, | | | | trails for hikers, cyclists and backpackers. Plus, |
| films and a December reenactment of the historic | | | | Louisiana RV camping resorts are conveniently |
| signing, in New Orleans, are all on schedule for | | | | positioned nearby. |
| Louisiana’s 200th birthday festivities. | | | | Adjacent to Chicot is the Louisiana State |
| Northern Louisiana is known for its rivers, lakes, | | | | Arboretum, the first such preserve in the South |
| curving bayous, gentle hills and vast woodlands. | | | | and the premier state-maintained arboretum in |
| Moreover, this part of the state is the home of | | | | America. This botanic treasure covers more than |
| the Upper Quachita National Wildlife Refuge near | | | | 300 acres of naturally occurring vegetation, plus |
| Sterlington. The centerpiece of this preserve is | | | | planned introductions of native botanic species. |
| the Quachita River, which runs north to south | | | | The arboretum’s terrain varies considerably, |
| through the center of the refuge, dividing its | | | | from flat turf on the shores of Chicot Lake to |
| forests, swamps and waterways into two | | | | sharp slopes along hillside ridges. Many Louisiana |
| sections. Geese, ducks, bald eagles and migrating | | | | plants are represented, from ancient beech trees |
| songbirds spend time at Quachita. Year-round | | | | and cowcumber magnolias to fancy ferns and |
| fishing and seasonal hunting of deer, waterfowl | | | | crane fly orchids. For guests who’d like to |
| and small game are permitted. Other typical | | | | take an in-depth look at the arboretum’s |
| refuge activities include trail hiking, wildlife watching | | | | botanic secrets, there are trails and bridges to |
| and outdoor photography. A leisurely drive along | | | | transport hikers to the park’s less traveled |
| River Road offers grand views of the Quachita | | | | nooks and crannies. |
| River and surrounding woodlands, plus occasional | | | | In Louisiana’s southern section near Lake |
| glimpses of deer and local feathered species. | | | | Charles, Creole Nature Trail Natural Scenic Byway |
| In Louisiana’s central region, cotton fields | | | | slices through the wild country known as |
| connect with wild rivers, bayous and prairies. | | | | Louisiana’s Outback. This 180-mile auto/RV |
| Various districts of the Kisatchie National Forest, | | | | tour weaves through prairies, marshes and Gulf |
| headquartered in Pineville, stretch across seven | | | | Coast beaches where butterflies, songbirds and |
| central and northern Louisiana parishes. There are | | | | buzzing mosquitoes share digs with crabs, shrimp |
| lots of effective ways to experience | | | | and alligators. Because this byway cuts across the |
| Kisatchie‘s wonders. RVers can hike, pedal a | | | | Sabine and Cameron Prairie national refuges as |
| bike, paddle a canoe, ride a horse, fish, hunt, swim | | | | well as two major migratory bird routes – the |
| or drive an off-road vehicle (probably best to | | | | Central and Mississippi Flyways – it’s an |
| leave the RV on the pavement) through the | | | | excellent viewing area for birders and wildlife |
| forest’s 600,000-acre landscape, nearby their | | | | observers. |
| Louisiana campgrounds. Guests encounter a | | | | Another southern attraction, just below New |
| myriad of terrain – hardwood swamps, mossy | | | | Orleans in Marrero, the Barataria Basin unit in Jean |
| cypress forests, bogs, bayou rapids, placid lakes | | | | Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve shelters |
| and sandstone hills. And around each bend, there | | | | some of North America’s finest estuary |
| are surprises like orchids, pink azaleas and | | | | wetlands. Barataria’s live oak forests, cypress |
| extraordinary, meat-eating plants. Watch your | | | | swamps and freshwater marshes are home to |
| fingers. | | | | the likes of nine-banded armadillos, egrets, ibises, |
| Also in the Pelican State’s heartland, north of | | | | alligators and crawfish. Seasonal blooms of giant |
| Ville Platte, is Chicot State Park, a favorite | | | | blue irises and yellow bur marigolds add bursts of |
| destination for anglers. Chicot boasts forests of | | | | color to Barataria Basin’s spellbinding |
| hardwood, magnolia, cypress and tupelo trees and | | | | landscape. Whether explored via hiking trails and |
| a designated "trophy bass" lake managed by the | | | | boardwalks or from inside a gliding canoe, the |
| Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. | | | | Barataria Basin presents a memorable display of |
| Visitors enjoy access to all things water-friendly, | | | | Louisiana’s incomparable delta. |