| What do you think of when you think Louisiana? | | | | But, once you cast your line, you're bound to come |
| Most people would answer bayous, shrimp boats, and | | | | up with some of the region's famous catfish. |
| the mighty Mississippi emptying into the gulf. You | | | | In the park, you can enjoy horseback riding, all-terrain |
| probably don't picture a hilly landscape of old growth | | | | vehicles and even hunting. Deer hunting season is |
| pines and awe-inspiring forest views. But, that's just | | | | quite an event in Kisatchie National Forest, and with |
| what Kisatchie National Forest, in northern and central | | | | the right licensing and gear, you can hunt in certain |
| Louisiana, is all about. | | | | areas of the park. |
| The southern United States has lots of great motor | | | | Then again, you can always just grab a canteen and |
| home destinations, and Louisiana's Kisatchie National | | | | go on a hike. There are trails all over the forest |
| Forest is one of the best. It is located in five | | | | which take you through its many terrains. It's well |
| different districts, spread over a wide area. The total | | | | worth the walk. |
| land area of the park is 600,000 acres, and each of | | | | Places to Stay at Kisatchie |
| the five districts has all kinds of things to do, see and | | | | There are camping options for everybody, whether |
| enjoy. | | | | you want to stay in a tent out in the middle of the |
| The best thing the park has to offer is its pristine, | | | | woods, or would rather stay in your nice, comfy |
| natural beauty. There are hills and mesas, steep and | | | | motor home. Recently, the park has re-designated |
| rocky climbs, and overlooks where you can see the | | | | certain roads for RVs and large motor homes. Large |
| top of the pines stretching out below. Down in the | | | | vehicles are not permitted in some areas, so you will |
| valleys, there are old growth pine trees and grand old | | | | want to check before you head out. You can get a |
| cypresses with their leaves forming a natural canopy. | | | | map ahead of time showing the routes that are |
| The park is full of trails that wind through these | | | | RV-friendly at the park's official website. The new |
| deep, piney forests and bayous. The park has | | | | regulations were put in place to keep the park clean |
| everything, from rolling woodlands to rocky | | | | and minimize human impact on wild areas. |
| mountains to swampland, and everything in between. | | | | The park has nine campgrounds located right at the |
| The woods are full of deer and smaller animals that | | | | trailheads, but they are all pretty primitive. They all |
| go scurrying through the underbrush. You might catch | | | | have restrooms and most have trash services. Some |
| sight of an armadillo or a raccoon, looking around on | | | | cater to different activities, like horse riding or |
| the forest floor for a tasty morsel. Hang around the | | | | hunting. Of the 9 campgrounds, the best for motor |
| lowland bayous and you might even catch sight of an | | | | homes are the Corral Camp and the Lotus Camp. |
| alligator! Remember, they are wild animals and | | | | Both are close to the Sandstone Trail, and the Lotus |
| unpredictable, so don't get too close. | | | | Camp is probably the most developed of all of them. |
| Things to Do at Kisatchie | | | | The nearest town with full-scale RV parks is Leesville. |
| Each of the five districts of Kisatchie has a wonderful | | | | Pecan Acres is a small RV park, but with all kinds of |
| range of fun things to do for the whole family. The | | | | services for RV drivers. You can contact them for |
| park is full of hiking trails and public recreation areas | | | | reservations. Another good park in the Leesville area |
| with picnic tables and barbecue pits. You're never too | | | | is Shady Lake RV Park, located on Highway 171, not |
| far from a lake or stream, and you can go fishing in | | | | far from Kisatchie National Forest. You can also |
| the park. They adhere strictly to Louisiana fishing | | | | contact them for reservations. |
| regulations, and you have to be licensed and legit. | | | | |