Outdoor Adventure

Louisiana is known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise,” and with fishing, golf, hiking, paddling and year-round hunting opportunities, it’s easy to see why. The state’s topography includes the vast coastal wetlands in the southern portion of the state, best seen in the Atchafalaya Basin. In the north, look for rolling hills and valleys and the Kisatchie National Forest. Louisiana’s state parks are situated all across this diverse landscape and are just one route to discovering the state’s outdoor adventures.

When it comes to getting out on the water, Louisiana offers no shortage of activities. Saltwater fishing in the marshes or the Gulf and freshwater fishing at one of the best bass fishing lakes in the United States — the Toledo Bend Reservoir — keep anglers returning year after year to drop a line. Check out all of Louisiana’s fishing opportunities.

Louisiana’s paddle trails, whether in a state park or in a wildlife refuge area, offer a glimpse into gorgeous habitats teeming with foliage and wildlife, from moss-draped tupelo cypress trees to unique bird species, alligators and the Louisiana black bear. And, of course, the Louisiana swamp lands hold a special place in the state’s culture and landscape. Learn about these critical ecosystems on a guided tour, whether it’s a speedy airboat tour or a relaxing pontoon adventure or kayak.

Back on land, find hiking and biking opportunities. Louisiana’s road cycling and off-road trails wind through wilderness areas, like the Atchafalaya Basin and the Kisatchie National Forest, and through small towns and big cities like Natchitoches and New Orleans. Either way, you’re in for the ride of your life! On foot, the state’s parks and preservation areas offer fun, family-friendly ways to stretch your legs and take in fresh air.

For golfers, Louisiana’s Audubon Golf Trail offers 17 courses designed by the likes of David Toms, Arnold Palmer, Pete Dye and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Today, the courses that are part of this incredible trail are also members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf Courses, a program dedicated to protecting the environment and preserving the natural heritage of the game of golf. Learn more about the trail and the golf courses.

No matter where you are in Louisiana, whether it’s on water or land, opportunities for birding abound. Louisiana’s rich ecosystems provide a nurturing habitat for vast numbers of birds, many of which fall along a migratory path across the Western Hemisphere. The coastal marshlands offer access to some of the most unusual species of songbirds, raptors and water fowl. 

Louisiana is the ideal location to get off the beaten path and out into nature — however you choose to do it.