8 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Louisiana

Chemin-A-Haut State Park is one of the most magical places in the north of Louisiana, where the magical cypress trees along the water get their chance to shine when fall eventually ushers its way in and the foliage starts to change. There are two trails that wind either way around the park – the Bobcat and the Boy Scout Trail – and both are easy and well marked. You can also rent a boat to get the experience of seeing the colors from the waterways.

A visit to the Oak Alley Plantation is a gorgeous way to bask in the serene nature and foliage that fall brings with it. Experience the civilized and the wild of this area on a plantation tour and educational swamp boat ride from New Orleans. On this full-day journey, visit Oak Alley Plantation or Destrehan Plantation (depending on time chosen) where you’ll learn about antebellum life. At Oak Alley, stroll down its iconic tree-lined esplanade. Destrehan is known for being a top sugar and indigo producer. Next, you’ll be guided to the marshy swampland for a boat ride and some wildlife spotting. Enjoy guided commentary as you snap photos of alligators, raccoons, snakes and native birds.

Only 1.5 hours’ drive north out of Lafayette lies the enormous Kisatchie National Forest, which is popular with hikers for its miles and miles of dirt tracks and hills. If your idea of fall is a time to reflect and get a little lost in nature, this is the perfect place to do just that. Those who set up their tents and stay overnight here will also get to enjoy a canopy of stars. There are also horse riding trails through the forest – an exhilarating way to see the trees change color as you gallop beneath them.

Soak up fall and it’s magical foliage along the streets of New Orleans. Make the most of your trip to the city with a sightseeing bus tour that guides you through nature spots abundant in fall’s colours and vibrance, including the Garden District, St Louis Cemetery No.3, Treme and beyond. Not only will you enjoy the beauty of fall around you, but there is also lots to learn about the city’s culture and history as you explore.

From Shreveport in northern Louisiana it is an easy drive to Jimmie Davis State Park, a wonderful place to witness the joys of fall as nature shifts and switches from vibrant greens to glorious yellows, oranges and reds. This display can be enjoyed by following a primitive trail around the park, littered with deep-red fallen leaves. The sunsets over Caney Creek Lake are spectacular at this time of year.

North Toledo Bend State Park on the shores of Toledo Bend Reservoir in eastern Louisiana is a lovely spot to explore during fall. As you stare out across the flat waters – whether from the shore or from a boat – you will get wonderful views of the trees turning in every direction. The peak is usually around November, when the oaks, hickories and pine trees magically become a deep red. If you wish to stay, there are quaint cabins that you can rent for a weekend.

Lake Bistineau State Park is only around a half an hour’s drive from Shreveport in northern Louisiana, and offers some of the best sunsets in the region. As the sun turns the sky as orange and red as the leaves on the trees, it’s hard not to feel a sense of utter gratitude. There are five nature trails through the park that lead you through the woods, and they are not demanding. The wildlife will keep you engaged and the submerged trees poking out of the lake are well worth seeing.

Many people travel to Lake Claiborne in Homer, northern Louisiana, to hike, especially in fall when the weather is milder and the air is crisp. As you walk around the water’s edge and watch the sun go down from the jetty, there is a sense of peace here. The leaves crunch underfoot and the waters seem to become very still at the golden hour. Lake Claiborne manages to be popular without being overpopulated and is a great place to enjoy the vivid colors of fall.