KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST, V- 2 , Cemeteries and Camping.

KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST, V- 2 , Cemeteries and Camping. We enjoyed our drive through Kisatchie National Forest as we headed to a possible dispersed camp spot. We explore two cemeteries on the way that have headstones from the 1800's. This is in the Caney Ranger District. More will be uploaded about this area soon. We hope you enjoy. Please subscribe to help us out. Thanks. The Kisatchie National Forest includes more than 600,000 acres of rolling piney hills and outdoor adventures. The forest is located just southwest of Alexandria and offers visitors some of the prettiest views in Louisiana. Kisatchie draws extra attention in that it is the only National Forest designated in the state of Louisiana. KisatchieNational Forest’s beauty sprawls over seven parishes offering one of largest protected lands in Louisiana and is packed with outdoor activities – including camping, fishing, birding, nature viewing, swimming, boating, hunting, and more. Additionally, the forest offers more than 40 developed recreation sites and more than 100 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There are five Ranger Districts: Calcasieu, Caney, Catahoula, Kisatchie and Winn. Each of these Ranger Districts can provide extensive information to visitors about all the areas’ recreation activities. The main headquarters is the Calcasieu Ranger District and their Evangeline Unit is located in Rapides Parish nearest to Alexandria and Pineville, while the Vernon Unit is in Vernon Parish nearest to Leesville. The Catahoula Ranger District is located in Grant Parish, nearest to the cities of Pollock, Dry Prong and Bentley. The Winn Ranger District is located in Winn Parish nearest to Winnfield, while the Kisatchie Ranger District is located in Natchitoches Parish nearest to Natchitoches. The Caney Ranger District is located in Webster and Clairborne Parishes, nearest to Homer, Minden and Shreveport. Camping in Kisatchie Whether you prefer camping in your tent under the stars or camping with your RV, each Ranger District in Kisatchie offers a wide-range of campground camping and RV camping areas. Popular camping areas in the Kisatchie Ranger District, (home to 10 campgrounds), is the Kistachie Bayou Recreation Complex perfect for camping and having access to trails, fishing and boating activities with great views of the sandstone hills and surrounding forests. Explore more campsites in the Kisatchie Forest. *Check websites for current campground information and closures. Hiking in Kisatchie National Forest There are more than 100 miles of hiking trails in Kisatchie with distances varying from a half-mile to nearly 30 miles. Each hiking trail provides a deep dive into the wilderness and all the area’s natural beauty — it will be a tough decision on which trail to explore! For beginners, families or anyone who appreciates a great view, head to the Longleaf Vista Interpretive Trail. This 1.5-mile loop winds through the forests and on ridges providing excellent views of the 8,700-acre Kisatchie Hills Wilderness. After your hike enjoy the day-use recreation area and have a picnic. Other popular hiking trails include the Wild Azalea Trail, a 23.9 mile hike (don’t worry, you can do as much or little distance as desired) filled with azaleas that are blooming in the spring. Also check out the Sugar Cane Trail, near Minden, that is perfect for all abilities. The trail winds around Caney Lake with wild flowers lining the trails. Mountain Biking in Kisatchie There’s mountain biking in four of Kisatchie’s five ranger districts and popular rides included the Big Branch Trail, Wild Azalea Trail and the Lamotte Creek Trail. There’s also the Camp Livingston Trail Complex, whose trails are open to off-road vehicles and mountain bikers. The 11-mile Hickman Trail offers rollling hills and can be beginner-friendly, or intermediate level, just listen for the off-road vehicles. Learn more about biking trails. The Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway Nestled within the Kisatchie National Forest, the Longleaf Trail Byway covers some of the most varied terrain in Louisiana. If you travel this byway, the elevations range from 80 feet to 400 feet above sea level, and the topography is “rugged” by Louisiana standards. Stop frequently at the turnouts to get views of the mesas, buttes, sandstone outcrops, longleaf pines and the Kisatchie Bayou. Learn more about the Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway. #kisatchienationalforest #camping #onxoffroad