Louisiana’s only national forest spans 604,000 acres of stunning landscapes packed with recreation opportunities to explore. You could stay for weeks in Kisatchie National Forest without exhausting the activities available: off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, power boating, paddle sports, swimming, camping, bird watching and nature studies: they’re all here. The hardest part might be deciding what to do first.
Canoeing on Kincaid Lake within Kisatchie National Forest
Fishing enthusiasts have a range of habitats, including lakes, clear streams, and slow-moving bayous to choose between. Bass, bluegill, crappie (aka sac-a-lait for fishermen from further south), catfish, and bream are among target species. Eight miles west of Alexandria, 2,600-acre Kincaid Lake offers clear waters, a sandy bottom and numerous tree stumps and bottom structures—paradise for crappie, redear sunfish and the fishermen who chase them. In 2023 the U.S. Forest Service deployed 42 artificial reefs, which enhanced recreational fishing by providing complex cover and a sanctuary for fish, and easily accessible boat launches. For a filling and festive meal right on the lakeshore, check out Tunk’s Cypress Inn and Oyster Bar, which is accessible by boat or car. With a quintessential Louisiana atmosphere, the rustic indoor dining room commands beautiful views over the water, as does its outdoor patio. Cajun specialties on the menu include chargrilled oysters, oysters on the half shell, fried crab claws, gumbo and alligator, and beloved specials like Snapper Sandy—a snapper filet topped with lump crabmeat, shrimp, and crawfish tails baked in a rich cream sauce.
Crawfish at Tunks
Boiled crawfish, served lakeside at Tunk's Cypress Inn
After dinner, camping accommodations and rustic rental homes nearby include Kisatchie Bayou Campground, an unforgettably scenic, primitive camping area shaded by old-growth hardwoods, along the banks of Kisatchie Bayou; or nearby Susan’s Cottages, which offers self-contained accommodation in four private cottage suites situated on Bayou Rapides. Trails crisscrossing the woods surrounding Kincaid Lake offer challengers for beginners and experienced hikers alike, as do guided nature tours where you’ll learn about the bird, plant, and animal species that inhabit or visit this region. For a quick and easy hike (or for easy mountain biking) that offers gorgeous lake views, try Indian Ridge Trail.
Photo courtesy Louisiana Office of Tourism
Horseback Riding in Kisatchie National Forest
Trails crisscross the terrain surrounding Kincaid Lake, offering challenges for beginners and experienced hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.
If you’re up for a physical challenge that also rewards with scenic views, embark on the Wild Azaela Trail’s 26 miles of hiking and mountain bike trail, which make this the longest contiguous trail in Louisiana. Expect to be on the trail a while: it can take up to eight hours to complete, but convenient trailhead points make it possible to break the trail into shorter portions, too.
15 miles northwest of Alexandria, Cotile Lake calls anyone who loves to fish for largemouth bass, with abundant underwater structures within its 1,775 acres that harbor catfish, crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish. Use one of Cotile Lake’s bathhouses to change into your swimsuit for a dip at one of the lake’s two swimming areas (keep an eye peeled for alligators). Bring a picnic for the family and in the evening, retire to one of the RV campsites (sewer hookups available), or pitch a tent in the camping area. If sleeping at a campsite isn’t your thing, you’ll find lots of nearby Airbnb options available in and around Alexandria and Pineville, too.
These are just a few ways of getting acquainted with central Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise, and proof of why folks here believe life is lived to the fullest in the great outdoors.
https://explorealexandriapineville.com/listings-category/outdoors/ to learn more.
