4 Coolest Activities in Kisatchie National Forest

Up in northern Louisiana, you can’t throw a stick without hitting a tree in a wildlife refuge or management area. But at the center of it all sits the Kisatchie National Forest, a sprawling park of over 600,000 acres that crosses through seven Louisiana parishes and includes five separate ranger districts. Kisatchie protects diverse biomes like bayous, lowland hardwood forests, highland pine forests, prairies, and more, so there’s plenty to do every time you stop by.

Explore Kisatchie in a Brand-New Ram 1500

Hunting

Like in other parts of Louisiana, Kisatchie allows hunting from the start of September to the end of December. The forest rangers are very careful about managing the wildlife population numbers, so aside from the Louisiana hunting rules that apply throughout the state you may have some extra permits to buy and restrictions to keep in mind when you hunt in a Kisatchie ranger district. But once you have, you can hunt several species of bird and small game.

Nature Viewing

You don’t need a rifle or a shotgun to enjoy the wildlife in Kisatchie National Forest. Between all the hundreds of thousands of acres and all the different areas, nature watchers can find 155 bird species, 56 reptiles, 48 mammals, and 30 amphibians. Kisatchie is home to some rare plants and animals, such as the Louisiana black bear, the pale pitcher plant, and several species of cypress. Each district has its own set of nature and special viewing points you can reach by vehicle or by foot.

Don’t Miss the Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway

OHV and ATV Trails

Off-highway vehicles and all-terrain vehicles are not only welcome in Kisatchie National Forest, you can play around on over 200 miles of paved and unpaved motorized trails. Of those miles, 77 belong to the Claiborne Multi-Use Trails, a set of three loops in the Calcasieu Ranger District that take you around the old camps where 500,000 troops trained for the invasion of Normandy during World War II. You can also try the 36-mile Sandstone Trail that passes through the pine forests of the Kisatchie District. Both OHVs and dirt bikes are welcome on this trail.

Camping

No national forest would be complete without a place to go camping, and with 600,000 acres to spare you can find plenty of camping opportunities in Kisatchie. Depending on the district you can find regular campsites for tents and RVs, recreation complexes for camping and day trips, and primitive campgrounds where the only amenities are clean drinking water and a level spot to pitch a tent. In the Winn District you can find the Gum Springs Horse Camp, but you should keep in mind that you’ll need to bring the horses for the riding trails yourself.

Before You Explore, Make Sure Your Vehicle is in Tip-Top Shape

Kisatchie National Forest is a big place where you can experience all kinds of outdoor fun. You can see the wildest parts of central and northern Louisiana by foot, on a bike, on an ATV, or on one of the many country roads that pass through the forest. And if you come during the right season you can hunt, fish, or do a little of both.