The Great Outdoors
Exploring nature is a wonderful way to learn about the plants and wildlife that live in our ecoregions. Start by exploring the nature in your back yard and local park, and when you are ready to explore a new location, there are lots of options. Here are some hikes, parks and other interesting areas to visit for a dose of nature in the Baton Rouge area and further out.
Trails & Paths
BREC Trails & Tracks
BREC has a wonderful listing of their walking, biking, hiking and running trails. They even have a blueway water trail.
BREC Conservation Area Primitive Trails
The primitive trails in BREC's Conservation Areas are beautiful! Please note that some of these areas do not have amenities.
Louisiana Hikes
Hiking trail descriptions and maps by local hiking expert, Eric Hebert.
Mississippi River Levee Bike Path
This path runs 12.5 miles along the river levee between downtown Baton Rouge and L'Auberge Casino. The path goes past the Water Campus which holds the LSU river model and past the LSU main campus (ride your bike to the games!) The 8 mile stretch between Farr Park and L'Auberge Casino is gravel, but it is going to be paved soon. Keep in mind that since it is a levee, there are no trees on the path to provide shade, though there are tall trees along the water which the birds love.
LSU Lakes
There is lots of natural and urban scenery to see as you go around the lakes near LSU and City Park. Look for the migrating American White Pelicans in the spring and fall. There are many different configurations of walks depending on how far you want to go. Here is a good compilation of routes.
BREC Trails & Tracks
BREC has a wonderful listing of their walking, biking, hiking and running trails. They even have a blueway water trail.
BREC Conservation Area Primitive Trails
The primitive trails in BREC's Conservation Areas are beautiful! Please note that some of these areas do not have amenities.
Louisiana Hikes
Hiking trail descriptions and maps by local hiking expert, Eric Hebert.
Mississippi River Levee Bike Path
This path runs 12.5 miles along the river levee between downtown Baton Rouge and L'Auberge Casino. The path goes past the Water Campus which holds the LSU river model and past the LSU main campus (ride your bike to the games!) The 8 mile stretch between Farr Park and L'Auberge Casino is gravel, but it is going to be paved soon. Keep in mind that since it is a levee, there are no trees on the path to provide shade, though there are tall trees along the water which the birds love.
LSU Lakes
There is lots of natural and urban scenery to see as you go around the lakes near LSU and City Park. Look for the migrating American White Pelicans in the spring and fall. There are many different configurations of walks depending on how far you want to go. Here is a good compilation of routes.
Nature Centers & Gardens
Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
103 acres of beautiful swamp with trails and boardwalks in the heart of Baton Rouge. In the main building, there are live animals on display, touch tables, helpful staff and a little souvenir shop. They host lots of family-friendly events. There are bird watching walks on Saturday mornings.
Burden Museum & Gardens
This property along Interstate 10 at Essen features the LSU Rural Life Museum and 440 acres of gardens and woodlands. There are wonderful walking trails that start at the Orangerie Building. Through the work of Master Naturalists, Janie Braud and Brandon Johnson, LMNGBR is providing information at the site on the flora and fauna you will likely find on the Burden Trails. Click here to view the LMNGBR Burden Trail Guides. There are family-friendly events all year, such as Arbor Day and the Corn Maze. Follow this link to view the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens Trees & Trails Map.
LSU Hilltop Arboretum
Walking trails meander around this peaceful 14-acre property just off of Highland Road near Bluebonnet. All of the plants and trees are native to this area. There are educational events all year, plants and books for sale, and entertainment spaces. (The banner photo at the top of this page was taken at Hilltop.)
Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
103 acres of beautiful swamp with trails and boardwalks in the heart of Baton Rouge. In the main building, there are live animals on display, touch tables, helpful staff and a little souvenir shop. They host lots of family-friendly events. There are bird watching walks on Saturday mornings.
Burden Museum & Gardens
This property along Interstate 10 at Essen features the LSU Rural Life Museum and 440 acres of gardens and woodlands. There are wonderful walking trails that start at the Orangerie Building. Through the work of Master Naturalists, Janie Braud and Brandon Johnson, LMNGBR is providing information at the site on the flora and fauna you will likely find on the Burden Trails. Click here to view the LMNGBR Burden Trail Guides. There are family-friendly events all year, such as Arbor Day and the Corn Maze. Follow this link to view the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens Trees & Trails Map.
LSU Hilltop Arboretum
Walking trails meander around this peaceful 14-acre property just off of Highland Road near Bluebonnet. All of the plants and trees are native to this area. There are educational events all year, plants and books for sale, and entertainment spaces. (The banner photo at the top of this page was taken at Hilltop.)
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Waddill Outdoor Education Center, Baton Rouge
The Waddill Outdoor Education Center off of North Flannery Road has 237 acres of swamp habitat with walking trails and fishing ponds. A great place to see frogs.
LDWF Wildlife Management Areas, Statewide
Louisiana WMAs are protected areas managed by LDWF. These areas have trails that are for intermediate and advanced hikers. They do not have amenities and can be difficult to get to if the roads are muddy. You are required to have a fishing or hunting license or Wild Louisiana Stamp to enter. Be safe - hunting is allowed on these properties. The WMAs within an hour drive of Baton Rouge are listed below and all of these are just absolutely beautiful:
Tunica Hills WMA
Rugged bluffs of the Mississipi River in West Feliciana Parish. (This area is different than Tunica Falls/Clark Creek.)
Sherburne WMA
Bottomland hardwoods in the Atchafalaya basin.
Maurepas Swamp WMA
Flooded cypress tupelo swamp.
LDWF Refuges & Conservation Areas, Statewide
The state refuges and conservation areas are mostly on the Gulf coast, and are critical habitat for birds.
Waddill Outdoor Education Center, Baton Rouge
The Waddill Outdoor Education Center off of North Flannery Road has 237 acres of swamp habitat with walking trails and fishing ponds. A great place to see frogs.
LDWF Wildlife Management Areas, Statewide
Louisiana WMAs are protected areas managed by LDWF. These areas have trails that are for intermediate and advanced hikers. They do not have amenities and can be difficult to get to if the roads are muddy. You are required to have a fishing or hunting license or Wild Louisiana Stamp to enter. Be safe - hunting is allowed on these properties. The WMAs within an hour drive of Baton Rouge are listed below and all of these are just absolutely beautiful:
Tunica Hills WMA
Rugged bluffs of the Mississipi River in West Feliciana Parish. (This area is different than Tunica Falls/Clark Creek.)
Sherburne WMA
Bottomland hardwoods in the Atchafalaya basin.
Maurepas Swamp WMA
Flooded cypress tupelo swamp.
LDWF Refuges & Conservation Areas, Statewide
The state refuges and conservation areas are mostly on the Gulf coast, and are critical habitat for birds.
Nature Conservancy Preserves
Mary Ann Brown Preserve, West Feliciana Parish
This forested preserve is in the Tunica Hills of West Feliciana Parish and features 2 miles of walking trails.
More Nature Conservancy Preserves in Louisiana
Mary Ann Brown Preserve, West Feliciana Parish
This forested preserve is in the Tunica Hills of West Feliciana Parish and features 2 miles of walking trails.
More Nature Conservancy Preserves in Louisiana
National Wildlife Refuges
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages several National Wildlife Refuges in Louisiana which are teeming with birds and wildlife.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages several National Wildlife Refuges in Louisiana which are teeming with birds and wildlife.
Driving Trails
Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, Lake Charles
This designated scenic byway is a 180 mile journey into one of America’s “Last Great Wildernesses.” You can see alligators, over 400 bird species, marshlands teeming with life, natural Gulf of Mexico beaches, plus fishing, crabbing, Cajun culture and more.
Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, Lake Charles
This designated scenic byway is a 180 mile journey into one of America’s “Last Great Wildernesses.” You can see alligators, over 400 bird species, marshlands teeming with life, natural Gulf of Mexico beaches, plus fishing, crabbing, Cajun culture and more.
Websites & Apps
All Trails
The All Trails app and website helps you find trails for outdoor adventures for any skill level. There is supporting information like maps, reviews, pictures, and more.
All Trails
The All Trails app and website helps you find trails for outdoor adventures for any skill level. There is supporting information like maps, reviews, pictures, and more.