Louisiana Arboretum Tour

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This educational arboretum loop is a combination of several trails all connected for total of 5.75 miles. The entire loop has signage with information on the trees and/or animals. The trails are well maintained and includes a nature center open Tuesday through Saturday. Trail is open 7 days a week, even on days the nature center is closed.

Entrance to the Louisiana State Arboretum SPA and its trail system is free to all visitors. Visitors going to the J.D. "Prof" LaFleur Nature Center must enter through Chicot State Park, and pay the $3/person (free for ages 62+ and 3 and younger) entrance fees.

Pets and picnicking are not allowed on the grounds due to the preservation status of this site. Service animals are allowed. Snacks and bottled drinks are allowed. Picnic grounds and camping facilities are available at nearby Chicot State Park.

Very easy hike with barely noticeable elevation change, although there is a little. There are several wooden walkways/bridges that cross over streams and run off. Benches for resting available throughout the entire trail with a few gazebos for resting. This loop has a great variation of topography, with signs describing land, plants, and animals at different levels of the land.

Even after rain, the trails were nearly dry. The wooden boardwalks can be slippery when wet so you just have to be careful if they are. This is a preservation area so depending on the time of year, you may see some animals, birds, insects, etc. Definitely good for the kids or for anyone just looking for a nice hike on a well kept trail.

Various, with descriptive signs.

The Louisiana State Arboretum was established in 1961, and was the first arboretum in the US that received state support.