Hiking The Longleaf Vista Interpretive Trail In Louisiana
- GPS: 31.47604, -92.9993
The Longleaf Vista Interpretive Trail can be found in the Kisatchie National Forest of Louisiana. This easy to moderately challenging loop trail is close to 1.5 miles long and has about 200 feet in elevation gain.
The trailhead can be found at the Longleaf Vista Recreation Area.
This day use area has restrooms, picnic tables, trashcans, grills, a shelter and water. After your hike you can sit down for a picnic while enjoying the views of the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area. It also has the cutest little gazebo!
The trail is open year-round and pets are welcome, but must be on a leash.
During the hike you will encounter meadows, bottomland hardwoods, high mesas, and creeks. A couple spur trails will lead to platforms of large sandstone outcroppings providing visitors with incredible 360 degree views of the Kisatchie Hills.
I believe the Bayou Cypre is the name of the stream running through the area.
Along the way keep an eye out for a number of interpretive signs located on the path. These signs discuss some of the native plants and wildlife found in the area making this not only a beautiful hike, but an educational one as well.
Unfortunately, most of these signs are showing their age and have been vandalized. Graffiti can be found on every plaque. Please follow the Leave No Trace Principles while visiting national forests and trails.
This is a very popular hike in the area and it’s easy to see why. It was a bit overcast on the day we went, but still quite scenic. I can imagine it looks even better on a nice sunny day.
This is a pretty easy hike with only a few inclines.
It’s a beautiful hike perfect for the family any time of the year.