Day Trips

IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE HAS A LITTLE CABIN FEVER THESE DAYS, AND WE’VE GOT THE PERFECT CURE – SOCIALLY DISTANCED DAY TRIPS. NEXT TIME YOU START ITCHING FOR NEW SCENERY, LACE UP THOSE HIKING BOOTS AND HIT THE TRAILS AT ONE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL LOCAL STATE PARKS.

ARTICLE BY STARLA GATSON AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

Maybe you’re itching for a break from the hustle and bustle of the everyday routine. Or perhaps you have a Pinterest board filled with dream destinations for years, hoping for the opportunity to escape to one of them for a few days. Or maybe, you are merely curious about the world around you, eager to know and see what it has to offer.

No matter its source, wanderlust — a strong desire or impulse to travel and explore — is an affliction with just one remedy: wander. Get away and take in new scenery.

However, getting away does not always mean booking flights and heading thousands of miles across the country, and it does not mean you have to shell out hundreds of dollars for an extravagant trip. A perfect getaway needs only moments of time carved out and set aside to center oneself, and believe it or not, these opportunities can be found anywhere, even a few short hours away from home.

That’s the beauty of the day trip. As the duration of the trip is a single day, there is no need to wait for vacation time from work; one can simply plan to get away on a weekend afternoon and still make it home in time to resume business as usual the following day. Day trips are simple to plan and can be just as beneficial as a long vacation, as they offer moments for rest and relaxation, a change of pace and scenery, and the potential to learn about and experience a new or unfamiliar location, all without breaking the bank.

Outdoor activities are often popular choices for daytime excursions, and luckily for Louisiana residents, this state offers no shortage of locations to unwind in the great outdoors. The Sportsman’s Paradise is packed with trails for hiking and bicycling, lakes for fishing, and parks for camping, should your adventure turn into an overnight stay.

Whether you regularly frequent a Louisiana park or have never found yourself at one of the state’s outdoor attractions, they provide wonderful settings to recharge and reconnect. So, on your next Saturday off, grab the kids, pack up the car, and lace up those hiking boots; it’s time to see what North Louisiana has to offer.

LAKE D’ARBONNE STATE PARK
Though the lake for which it is named is what draws visitors to the 655-acre state park in Union Parish, it is the tall pine trees, fishing piers, and nature trails that keep them there. Sandwiched between Farmerville and Bernice, Lake D’Arbonne State Park was founded in 1992 and boasts 65 campsites, 18 cabins, 2 lodges, and a group camp for overnight visitors.

Begin your visit by walking or biking one of the park’s 7 miles of trails, then take a break from the heat with a dip in the pool. If you have a competitive streak, challenge your family to a game of tennis on one of the four courts or a round of disc golf on the facility’s 18-hole course. This park even has a place for the children to call their own as well, with playground areas available to use during the day.

Don’t forget to take advantage of the park’s crowning glory: the lake. The manmade Lake D’Arbonne was completed in 1963, and since then has been a prominent North Louisiana landmark. Lake D’Arbonne is beloved by both locals and tourists, so before you leave the park, be certain to head down to one of 5 fishing piers to catch crappie, catfish, bass, or bream, take the boat out for a spin, or hit the jet ski for some fun on the water.

For more information on Lake D’Arbonne State Park, call (318) 368-2086.

KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST
Divided into five ranger districts, spanning over 600,000 acres, and spread among seven parishes, Kisatchie National Forest is sure to offer a recreational activity for everyone to enjoy.

Established in 1930, Kisatchie is the only national forest in Louisiana, and luckily for Monroe-West Monroe residents, entrances to each of its five districts — Caney, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Kisatchie, and Winn — are less than three hours from Ouachita Parish.

History buffs should put Calcasieu Ranger District’s Wolf Rock Cave on their lists of must-sees, as the historical site is the only known cave in Louisiana that was used as a rock shelter by its early people. Hikers and sightseers will not be disappointed, either, as the forest has a variety of trails to choose from, with distances ranging from 0.5 to 27 miles long. Kisatchie sites also offer spaces for aquatic activities like boating and swimming, which is a perfect fit for those who would prefer to spend their day off on the water.

If you’re looking to make your trip a two-day affair, book a cabin, pitch a tent, or park an RV at one of the districts’ campgrounds and spend an evening recharging among the pines. But before you leave, make sure to jump on your mountain bike and head down one of the forest’s bike trails.

Each of Kisatchie National Forest’s ranger districts has its own unique attractions, so to plan the day or overnight visit you would most enjoy, be sure to visit www.fs.usda.gov/kisatchie for more detailed information.

LINCOLN PARISH PARK
Lincoln Parish is home to more than just juicy peaches, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, and Grambling Tigers. It also houses Lincoln Parish Park, founded in 1990 by Ruston resident Fredrick Hoogland, a dreamer who long envisioned a park in his hometown.

Park-goers can take a stroll on the 1.25-mile paved walking path that surrounds peaceful Hoogland Lake and stop on one of the piers to catch the sun setting over the water. The park also features 10 miles of trail for the hikers and bikers of the family, and if you’re lucky, you just might stumble across a charming little waterfall.

At just over half an hour away from Ouachita Parish, Lincoln Parish Park makes a good destination for a Saturday afternoon getaway, but if your heart is set on camping, the facility offers both RV spots and primitive campgrounds for the weary traveler to rest his head.

To find out more or plan your trip to Lincoln Parish, dial (318) 251-5156.

SICILY ISLAND HILLS
You can find one of Louisiana’s hidden gems — and one of its tallest waterfalls — at the J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert Wildlife Management Area. Many people, even longtime Louisiana residents, have never even heard of the special spot, however, the wildlife management area formerly known as Sicily Island Hills has proven itself to be a prime location for nature-lovers to explore and enjoy.

Standing at 17 feet tall, the Rock Falls can be found on the Rock Falls Trail, a 0.7-mile looped path in the area. On the walk to the waterfall, hikers can take in all the sights and sounds of nature, from the view of the tall pine and magnolia trees to the sounds of the birds chirping above.

The area’s second trail is St. Mary’s Falls, and the 1.1-mile loop, characterized by its two smaller waterfalls, is good for hiking and sight-seeing. You can even bring the four-legged members of your family to enjoy this hilly walk, as long as they are kept on a leash.

Though both the Rock Falls and St. Mary’s trails are considered beginner-friendly, the steep inclines and rough terrain may make it difficult for some to travel, so tread carefully. And for the more experienced trekkers, there is Big Creek Trail, a 6.9-mile loop, but if hiking is not your forte, not to worry: the wildlife management area is also equipped for hunting and trapping, birdwatching, and fishing and boating on the Boeuf or Ouachita Rivers.

Choosing one trail to hike makes a perfect daytime outing, but if your adventurous spirit tempts you to hit them all, you can extend your visit and opt to stay in one of the area’s primitive camping areas.

To learn more about Sicily Island Hills, visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/jc-sonny-gilbert.