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There’s just something about being in a place that feels like the land that time forgot; as if its centuries of stories are secrets lying right beneath your feet. As the first permanent settlement within the Louisiana Purchase, it seems only fitting that Natchitoches is also the starting point of El Camino Real de los Tejas, the National Historic Trail trodden by travelers, such as settlers, soldiers, and missionaries, for more than three hundred years. Known in English as “The King’s Highway,” this 2,500-mile colonial roadway stretches all the way to Mexico City.
Natchitoches is also one of the many stops along Jefferson Highway, the country's first intercontinental roadway. You can explore the route's history through Natchitoches along Highway 6, in front of the Los Adaes State Historic Site in Robeline, and North through Marthaville near Rebel State Historic Site.
Kisatchie National Forest—the only national forest in Louisiana—encompasses six hundred acres of protected land across seven parishes, including the Natchitoches area. Kisatchie is packed with outdoor activities for the avid sportsman or nature lover, from fishing and hunting, to birding, boating, and mountain biking, too. The forest offers more than forty recreation sites and over one hundred miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Northwestern State University's Grady Erwin Nature Reserve is another Natchitoches gem, featuring three loop trails set amid forest scenery perfect for walking, hiking, or mountain biking.
Trace the cultural landscape of the Cane River region from past to present on the Cane River National Heritage Trail. Within Cane River Creole National Historical Park, Oakland and Magnolia plantations remain remarkably well preserved and available for tours.
After your historic haunt, take to the water with Cane River Paddle & Pedal Sports, to experience the natural beauty of the Cane River firsthand by kayak, paddle board, or hydrobike. If you have your own kayak or canoe, the nineteen-mile Saline Bayou Paddle Trail is part of the Louisiana Paddle Trails network, and presents breathtaking views, and proximity to a diverse array of wildlife including wood ducks, pileated woodpeckers, otters, and more. Post-paddle, grab a six pack from local craft brewery Cane River Brewing Company. Housed in a refurbished cotton gin first used nearly a century ago, the brewery reflects the ethos of Natchitoches itself—historic and ever-evolving. For more outdoor adventures, visit natchitoches.com.
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