For one of the most scenic drives in Louisiana, a road trip along the Creole Nature Trail is an absolute must. This 180-mile All-American Road takes you throughout southwestern Louisiana’s beautiful landscape, weaving in and out of wildlife refuges, marshes, and coastal wetlands. If you’re planning on taking this trip, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite attractions below. Put the tunes up and windows down for one of the best scenic drives near me in Louisiana, y’all!

As you can see from the map below, you can start and leave the trail from many places, but we think the best place to start the Creole Nature Trail is Adventure Point.
Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point, 2740 Ruth St, Sulphur, LA 70665, USA
Visit Lake Charles/Creole Nature Trail Website
The journey begins in Sulphur at the Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point.
Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point, 2740 Ruth St, Sulphur, LA 70665, USA
Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point/Google Photos
This free attraction is the perfect start to one of the best scenic drives in Louisiana.
Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point, 2740 Ruth St, Sulphur, LA 70665, USA
Chris Lognion/Google Photos
Here you’ll learn all about the surrounding wildlife and conservation efforts as well as a toe-dip into the cultural side of things, including Creole dishes and music like Zydeco and Swamp Pop. Read on further to find out what you can expect at Adventure Point.
Once you’ve gotten a glimpse of what’s in store, it’s time to hit the open road!
Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, 2740 Ruth St, Sulphur, LA 70665, USA
B Guillaume/Google Photos
From Adventure Point, you’ll want to head south on LA-27. Along the way, especially from Sulphur to Hackberry, the landscape is much more industrial. If you find yourself getting hungry, consider stopping at Novrozsky's in Sulphur. As you continue on past the Intracoastal Waterway, the terrain slowly morphs into marshland, making for a lovely scenic drive near me in Louisiana.
One of your first stops along this nature trail in Louisiana should be the Wetland Walkway.
Wetland Walkway, LA-27, Cameron, LA 70631, USA
Decarlos/Google Photos

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Located within the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, the 1.5-mile trail is a great nature trail near me in Louisiana to stretch your legs and get a sweeping view of the freshwater marsh surrounding you. Learn more about the Wetland Walkway.
Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, 3000 Holly Beach Hwy, Hackberry, LA 70645, USA
August Harper/Google Photos
Next stop, Holly Beach!
Holly Beach, LA, USA
Donals Broussard/Google Photos
As you continue south, you'll hit Holly Beach, one of the most underrated beaches in the state. Learn more about the beauty of Holly Beach, a great spot to stop along this scenic drive in Louisiana.
After you've strolled along this beach, why not hit up another beach?
Rutherford Beach, Gulf of Mexico, Creole, LA 70632, USA
Mike Reeher/Google Photos
Rutherford Beach is not too far from Holly Beach and is another wonderful stop along the Creole Nature Trail. It's a great spot for finding seashells, so keep an eye out while you're strolling along the beach. Get yourself more acquainted with Rutherford Beach.
If you choose to continue east on your journey, you'll run into the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge.
Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, 5476 Grand Chenier Hwy, Grand Chenier, LA 70643, USA
Richard Brauns/Google Photos
This natural oasis has the highest nesting density of alligators in the country! It's a popular spot for crabbing and fishing, in case you want to bring your gear and see what you can catch. Get the most up-to-date information about Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge.
If you head north from the beach, you'll encounter the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center.
Kyle Campbell/Google Photos
The views from the 0.25-mile boardwalk trail are endless! Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way; you never know what swamp critters you'll come across. Get more information on Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge and other Louisiana wonders.

Have you ever been on this nature trail? What are your favorite scenic drives in Louisiana? Tell us in the comments!

Need some transportation for this scenic drive near me in Louisiana? Check out what you can get from RVshare.

Prefer to travel a little differently? Check out these scenic train rides in Louisiana.

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More to Explore

Best of Louisiana

Rachel Raimondi | August 22, 2023

What are the best parks in Louisiana?

Want to check out some more nature trails near me in Louisiana? Start by visiting some of the best parks in Louisiana: 

  • Bogue Chitto State Park: This 1,785-acre swamp is located in Washington Parish. Enjoy tubing, fishing, and swimming as well as hiking 21 miles of trails, like the seven-mile Gorge Run Trail. You can also camp here or take in disc golf.
  • Grand Isle State Park:  Head to Jefferson Parish for this 160-acre state park. It’s known for its great fishing opportunities, with more than 300 different species available. You can also swim and hike here as well as camp for the evening.
  • Fairview Riverside State Park: Located in Madisonville, this 99-acre park is on the Tchefuncte River. Aside from the freshwater fishing, you can also hike and camp, as well as see the Otis House, a late-19th-century Queen Anne-style home on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

What are the best family-friendly hikes in Louisiana? 

Get out of the car after your scenic drive in Louisiana and take the whole family along these family-friendly hikes in Louisiana:

  • Cypress Trail: You’ll find this .7-mile nature trail within the 1,299-acre Palmetto Island State Park in Abbeville. It's nice and short and will be the most bang for your buck when it comes to getting the kids out in nature. While you’re here, you can also bike, camp, birdwatch, and head to the water playground.
  • Walker Branch Trail: This 1.5-mile trail can be found within the Louisiana State Arboretum in Ville Platte’s 6,400-acre Chicot State Park. Take in the native plants and beech-magnolia forest of the state. There are also other trails as well as opportunities to camp, bike, boat, and fish.

 

What are the most beautiful places in Louisiana?

The Creole Nature Trail is certainly gorgeous, but that is certainly not all that Bayou State has to offer. Check out some other beautiful places in Louisiana:

  • Audubon Park: Located in New Orleans, this 350-acre park is filled with gorgeous oak trees and lush gardens. Here, you can picnic, play golf, hike, and more. And the Audubon Zoo is also located here.
  • Chauvin Sculpture Garden: This sculpture garden is located in Houma. There are 100 unique creations here, all made by artist Kenny Hill. Check out some of the most interesting, including a 45-foot-tall lighthouse.
  • Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge: Located in New Orleans, this 24,000-acre area is the premier spot for bird watching, which can be done conveniently from several boardwalks throughout the park. You can also fish, hunt, and hike here.

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