1. Jungle Gardens
Jungle Gardens is a beautiful 170-acre botanical garden and bird sanctuary nestled along Bayou Petite Anse on Avery Island. Beautiful year-round, this dazzling display is always popping with vibrant colors.
2. Longleaf Vista Recreation Center
Nestled within the Kisatchie National Forest, you can drive right up to the Longleaf Vista Recreation Center and catch stunning treetop views like this.
3. Atchafalaya River Basin
Providing an essential habitat for more than 300 species of wildlife plus another 100 different aquatic species, the Atchafalaya River Basin is one of the most stunning natural landscapes Louisiana has to offer. The nation’s largest river swamp contains nearly one million acres of beautiful bottomland hardwoods, swamps, bayous, and backwater lakes.
4. Lake Martin
Part of the Cypress Island Nature Preserve, Lake Matin is every nature lover’s dream. Home to countless wildlife and some of the best sunset views around, visitors can view the lake from their car, set off on foot on the nature trail, or rent a kayak and explore the lake from a new perspective.
5. Cypremort Point State Park
For fishermen, there’s no better spot than Cypremort Point State Park. Cozied up to Vermilion Bay, anglers have the option to fish from the pier or take their boat out into the water to find their secret honey hole full of redfish. A half-mile stretch of beach provides the perfect spot to sink your toes in the sand and watch the spectacular sunsets over the water.
6. Honey Island Swamp
If you’re in southeastern Louisiana, the Honey Island Swamp is a picture-perfect spot to spend an afternoon. Clocking in at almost 70,000 acres, it’s one of the largest swamps in the state and is chock-full of wildlife including feral pigs, gators, black bears, and countless migratory birds.
7. Kiroli Park
West Monroe’s favorite park is filled with adventures the whole family will love. Several trails, multiple playgrounds, and a few peaceful lakes pepper the park, not to mention several beautiful gardens to admire along your walk.
8. Holly Beach
Nicknamed the "Cajun Rivera," Holly Beach is great for those days when you want to spend some fun in the sun but don’t want to drive all the way to those Florida/Alabama beaches. It’s also a great spot to snag some seashells!
9. Louisiana Arboretum
Located within Chicot State Park, the Louisiana Arboretum is 600 acres of pure natural beauty just waiting to be explored. Established in 1961, it’s the oldest state-supported arboretum in the country and it’s filled with delightful hiking trails that will take you through the beech-magnolia forest.
10. Lake Claiborne
Lake Claiborne’s 6,400-acres are perfect for the outdoor explorer. It’s a popular spot for fishing and boating, and the state park also featured a little beach area, nature trails, and cabins available to rent.
There are so many beautiful places in Louisiana, where are some of your favorite nature spots? Nominate them for a chance to be featured!
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Featured Addresses
Lake Claiborne State Park, 225 State Park Rd, Homer, LA 71040, USA
Kiroli Park, 820 Kiroli Rd, West Monroe, LA 71291, USA
Longleaf Vista Recreation Area, Provencal, LA 71468, USA
Cypremort Point State Park, 306 Beach Ln, Cypremort Point, LA 70538, USA
Louisiana State Arboretum State Preservation Area, 1300 Sudie Lawton Lane, Ville Platte, LA 70586, USA
Lake Martin, Breaux Bridge, LA, USA
Atchafalaya River, Louisiana, USA
Honey Island Swamp, Louisiana 70461, USA
Jungle Gardens, Louisiana 329 &, Main Rd, Avery Island, LA 70513, USA