If you love primitive hiking trails, the Kisatchie National Forest is your playground. Louisiana’s only national forest features hundreds of trails that meander through the forest’s 600,000+ acres. One of our favorite hiking trails in the forest just so happens to lead to one of the most breathtaking views in the state, so lace up your boots and let’s check it out:
The Longleaf Vista Trail is a loop trail that clocks in at about 1.5 miles.
John Sheaffer/All Trails There’s parking and restrooms at the trailhead, and since it’s a loop trail, you can go clockwise or counter-clockwise and hit all of the beautiful highlights along the way.
While it’s a fairly easy trail, you will gain some elevation as you trek through the rolling hills of the forest.
Patrick O’Callaghan/All Trails It’s a nice change of scenery from the average boardwalk trails more commonly seen here in Louisiana.
If you time your hike after a rainfall, you’ll get to see the creeks flowing, and maybe even a little waterfall!
Harry Burdette/All Trails
Named for all of the towering longleaf pines that pepper the area, it’s truly a nature lover’s paradise.
Dawn Green/All Trails
When you get to the staircase, get ready…
River Gibson/All Trails
…because at the top, you’ll be treated to a rare treetop view.
April Ashby/All Trails
On a clear day, you can see for miles!
Harry Burdette/All Trails You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world.
Pack a lunch and prolong your stay!
Dawn Green/All Trails There are plenty of tables around the trailhead, just remember to pack out what you pack in and don’t feed any of the wildlife.
Happy hiking!
Have you ever hiked the Longleaf Vista Trail? Let us know in the comments!
John Sheaffer/All Trails
There’s parking and restrooms at the trailhead, and since it’s a loop trail, you can go clockwise or counter-clockwise and hit all of the beautiful highlights along the way.
Patrick O’Callaghan/All Trails
It’s a nice change of scenery from the average boardwalk trails more commonly seen here in Louisiana.
Harry Burdette/All Trails
Dawn Green/All Trails
River Gibson/All Trails
April Ashby/All Trails
You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world.
There are plenty of tables around the trailhead, just remember to pack out what you pack in and don’t feed any of the wildlife.
Happy hiking!
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Address: Longleaf Vista Nature Trail, Unnamed Road, Natchitoches, LA 71457, USA
