One of the perks of living in Louisiana is that we don't have to travel very far to be immersed in nature. From scenic landscapes and state parks to beautiful bayous and the coast, Louisiana sure does have some spectacular scenery. This particular attraction in Evangeline Parish is certainly worth a visit, and now is a perfect time to do some exploring.
The Louisiana State Arboretum was established in 1961 and was the first state-supported arboretum in the United States.
Much of this is due to initial efforts in the 1950s by Caroline Dormon, who pushed heavily to establish the Arboretum, which was also the first of its kind in the South.
What started out as a 301-acre project has grown into a 600-acre preserve with six miles of hiking trails and a 6,000-square-foot nature center.
And since it’s located within Chicot State Park, you have even more opportunities to immerse yourself in nature.
You’ll want to start your epic journey at the Nature Center.
Here, you’ll learn about the park’s flora and fauna through state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, and the rangers there are happy to answer any questions you may have before you tackle the trails. Both kids and adults will love this part of the day.
The Arboretum has over six miles of trails to explore.
Both boardwalk and gravel trails will lead you through beautiful cypress-tupelo swamps and rolling hills. All of the trails are under two miles in length, so you can mix and match to fit your schedule.
There are over 130 interpretive signs along the trails to teach you about the landscape as you explore.
Each sign includes drawings, photographs, and interpretive text, so you’ll walk away with a whole new set of facts to impress your friends with.
As you wander through the rolling landscape, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife.
The arboretum is home to countless white-tail deer, wild turkey, raccoons, possums, and scores of beautiful songbirds that provide a delightful soundtrack while you walk.
You’ll want to bring your camera - the views here are simply mesmerizing!
From steep slopes to swamps, almost every type of Louisiana vegetation (except coastal marshes and prairies) is represented here at the Arboretum.
The Louisiana State Arboretum is located at 1300 Sudie Lawton Ln., Ville Platte, LA 70586.
If you'd like to make a weekend out of it, check out our previous article here about other activities in Chicot State Park.
Have you ever visited the Louisiana State Arboretum? Let us know in the comments below!
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