Americans were built for road trips. We have our road trip essentials memorized; we have our playlists ready and all the best snacks within reach. There are plenty of scenic roads in Louisiana, but few are as rare as the Longleaf Vista Scenic Byway.

If you think this drive takes you down the boot to the Gulf, think again! This scenic road in Louisiana takes you through central/northern Louisiana. This is an underrated hidden gem of the Bayou State, where you trade the marsh for rolling hills. 

It’s fairly equidistant from both Natchitoches and Alexandria (less than an hour). I’d highly recommend packing a picnic to enjoy when you get to the view. If you’re coming from further away, you can always find a remote cabin to book for the night. 

There will be times along the drive when you’re surprised you’re still in Louisiana. It does resemble the foothills of the Ozarks at times. Sure, they may be small 400-foot hills, but to a state that doesn’t really have much elevation—we take every little bit that we can!

The Kisatchie National Forest boasts over 600,000 acres of pristine natural wilderness to enjoy. As Louisiana’s only National Forest, you can bet there are hundreds of hiking trails that weave throughout the forest. One of my favorites is the Wild Azalea Trail. 

But this adventure is one for the wheels. The Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway takes you through the forest on an incredible drive that ends in a delightful view. 

Louisiana doesn’t have too many treetop viewpoints, but this is one of them! The views from Longleaf Vista Recreation Area are just picture-perfect—and you don’t even need to leave your car!

Of course, if you’re inspired to stretch your legs, you’ll find a hiking trail right at the recreation area that will take you further into the forest and underneath a canopy of longleaf pines. 

With any primitive trail in the wilderness, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared. These trails are pretty well marked, but an AllTrails+ account never hurts. Cell phone coverage can be spotty in this remote area of Louisiana, and having a trail map downloaded to your phone in advance is always a good idea. It's always better to be safe in these scenarios.

Have you ever taken this scenic drive in Louisiana? Tell me about it! 

Read on to discover some of our favorite road trips in Louisiana.