>>2474964>Kisatchie and Desoto both are the same shitPatently false. One of the Kisatchie districts has a varied, hilly terrain, with sandstone bluffs and very sparse trees. DeSoro has a completely flat bush hogged dirt road.
There isn’t much in the way of hiking. LouisianaHikes website has the best info (better check it out quickly; the owner died recently so it will eventually vanish).
There are about 100 miles of trails close by. The Sandstone, Backbone, and Caroline Dorman trails near Natchitoches can be done in various size loops ranging from about 9 miles to about 40 miles. There’s also the Wild Azalea trail closer to Alexandria, which is 24 miles. In Homochitto there are two trails near the Clear Springs campground. Excellent car camping, and the trails are great for hiking and mountain biking. You can backpack on them as well, and they can be combined into a big loop, however one has been officially closed for a few years. You probably won’t see too many people, if anyone at all.
If you need scenic overlooks you should kill yourself for not being able to enjoy the outdoors for what it is.
For a fun day hike you have to check out the waterfalls near St. Francisville. It’s a pretty weird thing to have them in such a flat area. It gets super busy though.
In the southern part of the state, fishing and kayaking (and fishing from a kayak) absolutely rule the outdoor activities. There are obviously swamps, but also saltwater marshes. Both are fun to explore and fish.
Hunting is huge here as well, but that’s a pretty big investment. It’s mostly water fowl, white tail deer, hogs, and small game.
Florida is really only fun for day trips to the beach, which are absolutely gorgeous (4 hours from NOLA) and only crowded if your a cheapskate. Further out there’s stuff in Alabama, which if you’re going for more than a single night could be worth it. The Sipsey Wilderness is about 6 hours from New Orleans, about 7 from Alexandria.
