For Outdoor Adventures this Spring, Vernon Parish Delivers

With the arrival of spring, few attractions can compare with the lure of the great outdoors. On the western edge of Louisiana, the sparkling lakes and lush forestlands of Vernon Parish put this unspoiled rural region in a league of its own.

Outdoor adventurers need look no further than South Toledo State Park –– from bird-watching (many a bald eagle has been spotted here) and boating to biking, hiking (the park includes a 3,000-foot surfaced nature trail), and off-roading, there’s a plethora of energetic pursuits to enjoy in this Louisiana State Park, which straddles a series of scenic bluffs that rise above the massive Toledo Bend Reservoir. At 185,000 acres, the reservoir is the largest man-made body of water in the South ––a spectacular panorama to behold from any angle.

Toledo Bend, recognized as one the foremost bass lakes in the country, offers ample opportunities to wet a line when sought-after sportfish species including largemouth bass and crappie (or "sac-a-lait," if you're from South Louisiana) hit their spring spawning stride. In spring, warming water drives bass, crappie, and bream into shallower waters, so fishing shoreline areas and the backs of creek channels is almost guaranteed to deliver results in March and April. Piers, bridges, and boat ramps allow for easy access to make the most of the lake’s hundreds of miles of shoreline. Plus, available campsites, deluxe cabins, and RV parking accommodations make spending a weekend (or longer) discovering these natural treasures both easy and affordable.

But no discussion about fishing and boating destinations in Central Louisiana would be complete without mentioning Vernon Lake—a 4,200-acre man-made reservoir near Anacoco and a recognized paradise for bass fisherman. With aquatic habitat that ranges from flooded timberland in its shallower reaches, to boat lanes and open waters near the dam that reach depths of 50 feet, Vernon Lake offers spectacular fishing and water recreation opportunities for craft of all sizes and types. In spring the upper lake environment produces excellent bass fishing, while catfish and bream abound during summer months. For up-to-date information on fishing Lake Vernon, visit the Vernon Lake Fishing Reports Facebook group page, HERE.

Another outdoor jewel in this part of the state is secluded, beautiful Toro Bayou, a clear, sandy stream which meanders through northern Vernon parish on its way to join the Sabine River. Recognized as one of Louisiana’s most picturesque waterways, Toro Bayou welcomes wanderers into an unspoiled wilderness of rock gardens, sandy beaches, clear waters noted for their pristine clarity, and tranquil reaches that lend themselves to lazy afternoon canoeing or kayaking adventures.

Perhaps the best-known of Louisiana's natural resources (and the state’s sole nationally designated forest), Kisatchie National Forest covers a stunning expanse of 604,000 acres, which encompass numerous attractions including lakes, bayous, scenic vistas, and towering stands of pine trees. Springtime brings bright bursts of wild azaleas (known as Rhododendron canescens), that thrive alongside Kisatchie’s many miles of well-maintained hiking trails.

Other attractions include the Historic Fullerton Lake Recreation Complex (it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s), that housed one of the South’s largest sawmill operations; and Camp Claiborne, which employed thousands of workers and later served as a training ground for half a million soldiers during World War II. Perhaps most unexpected is the series of deep rock overhangs overlooking Bundick's Creek known as Wolf Rock Cave. Long before the infamous bandit John Murrell (aka "The Great Western Land Pirate") used these caves as a hideout, archaeological evidence suggests that Archaic Indians, a nomadic tribe of hunter-gatherers were using Wolf Rock Cave as a habitation. Throughout the forest grounds, there are spots to gather for picnics, to camp, fish, hike, and even go horseback riding. Visit https://vernonparish.org/outdoors to learn more.