Beautiful Places You Shouldn’t Miss Near Natchitoches

Natchitoches is a small historical community that’s large on beauty and long on history. With serene lakes, scenic byways, and lush foliage to a national forest and a dedicated ecosystem preserve, visitors can experience history, culture, and beauty up-close.

Kisatchie National Forest

Kisatchie is the only national forest in Louisiana. Known as the “Little Grand Canyon,” it’s an impressive area of over 600,000 acres broken down into five Ranger Districts that cover seven parishes.

There are many activities and points of interest to experience year-round for all ages. Along with panoramic views and sandstone bluffs, enjoy the Kisatchie Bayou Recreation area or explore the nooks and crannies of the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area.

There are many things to do at Kisatchie, such as lake and pond fishing, non-motorized boating, ATV trail riding, the 17-mile Longleaf Vista Interpretive Trail, picnicking areas, the Longleaf Scenic Byway, horseback riding, camping, mountain biking, and hiking.

Briarwood Nature Preserve

The Briarwood Nature Preserve is the birthplace of Caroline Dorman, who became the first woman in the United States to be hired by the U.S. Forest Service. Her dedication to learning about, understanding, and preserving the fragile ecosystems of the forests continues at Briarwood.

Briarwood’s goal is to protect wildlife through the preservation of a safe habitat, protect rare plant species, add new species to the botanical gardens, protect old growth trees, and educate and teach visitors about the preservation of the ecosystem.

Membership is available to enjoy year-round events and tours. The preserve is open to the public April through November for weekend tours.

Cane River National Heritage Trail

Enjoy a scenic drive along the byways and venture into the rural landscape of over 300 years of plantations, Civil War history, and Creole culture. The Cane River Heritage Trail runs for 53 miles and is best seen during spring, summer, and fall.

Along the way, visitors will encounter the culture of times past and can explore sites and take guided tours of destinations listed on the National Register of Historic Places, such as the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, Melrose Plantation, and Magnolia Plantation. There’s also the St. Augustine Catholic Church, Rebel State Historic Site, Louisiana Country Music Museum, Fort Jesup State Historic Site, and Briarwood: Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve along the trail.

Grand Ecore Visitor Center

A scenic respite beside the Rouge River, The Grand Ecore Visitor Center offers an interesting oasis to help visitors relax. The Corp of Engineers center sits on a bluff and provides a rocking chair-lined porch overlooking the meandering river. Inside, the center has artifacts and exhibits of the area, videos, interpretive displays, and information about the locks and dams along the river and early pathways.

When visiting the expressive places Natchitoches has to offer, the old proverb, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” will come to mind. From a serene flowing river and peaceful forest settings to an abundance of historical and cultural sites, exploration and discovery will have you pondering which destination is the most beautiful.