ROAD TRIPS & GETAWAYS FLYWAY BYWAY 55 Miles Bask in the beauty of the prairie in southwest Louisiana. Spot more than 160 types of birds (including many migratory species), learn about one of the state’s most legendary foods on a crawfish farm tour (March through May) or pet a baby alligator at Gator Chateau in Jennings. CREOLE NATURE TRAIL ALL-AMERICAN ROAD 207 Miles This journey through remote terrain showcases the Bayou State’s diverse ecosystems. Look for signs marking alligator crossings and see them up close at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge , a habitat for indigenous gators and birds. From here, take a short drive to walk along 26 miles of beaches outside of Lake Charles, ideal areas for shelling. TOLEDO BEND FOREST SCENIC BYWAY 78 Miles Toledo Bend Reservoir and the pine and hardwood woodlands that surround its waters are the heart of this byway. Admire blooming wildflowers in the summer, then hike or bike the trails and drop a line in the water any time of the year. Other popular activities include fishing, camping and birding. WETLANDS CULTURAL TRAIL 282 Miles Uncover the splendor of southeastern Louisiana’s vast marshes and their importance to the state’s ecology and seafood industry. Duck into locally owned restaurants in Houma to experience the bayou’s bounty yourself. Marvel at views of the wetlands at DeFelice Marine Center in Cocodrie or meet egrets, gators and turtles on a swamp tour from Kraemer. BOOM OR BUST NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY 137 Miles Cotton fields, cattle pastures and oil derricks scattered among northwest Louisiana’s rolling hills and biodiverse bayous tell the story of Western expansion. Learn about the state’s industrial riches at the Louisiana State Oil & Gas Museum in Oil City, then go fishing, tubing and boating at Caddo Lake – one of many outdoor playgrounds off the byway. LONGLEAF TRAIL BYWAY 17 Miles Hills and bluffs tower beside longleaf pines in Central Louisiana’s Kisatchie National Forest . Take in panoramic sights of the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area from the famed “Little Grand Canyon” overlook. Spy on deer, wild turkeys and other critters and gaze at the night sky at a campground. CREOLE NATURE TRAIL, LAKE CHARLES ExploreLouisiana.com 51
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