Southwest Louisiana is home to a number of diverse natural environments, and one of the best ways to explore them is via the Creole Nature Trail. Designated as an All-American Road, the 180-mile Creole Nature Trail takes visitors through piney woods, prairies, marshes, swamps and Gulf of Mexico beaches. All along the way are places to stop and explore, hike, observe wildlife and take photographs.
The best way to start your travels is at Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point, which lies at the western gateway. This free attraction gives visitors a fantastic overview and introduction to the Creole Nature Trail by immersing you in Louisiana’s unique natural habitats and culture.
When you walk inside, you’ll see a mini Creole Nature Trail road. Follow the roadway through the various interactive displays to discover what makes the Louisiana Outback and culture so unique and special.
Try your hand at crabbing with a magnetic chicken leg, crabs and a net.
Did you know? You don’t need a license to go chicken necking with a net and rope in Louisiana, and you can collect 5 dozen per day.
Find out the best places to spot alligators, migrating birds and other wildlife.
Visit a duck camp and try on some duck hunting gear.
Learn how Southwest Louisiana boudin sausage is made, and find out about the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail.
Take a sniff of some of Louisiana’s most common spices.
Discover some delicious recipes for local favorites like red beans and rice, beignets and pralines.
Try your hand at making music the Cajun and Zydeco way. You’ll be able to hear the difference between the two musical styles.
Did you know? Cajun is based more on French traditions and storytelling, while Zydeco has greater African influences.
Visitors can also see how many fish a brown pelican can eat at once, get an above and below water peek at a dolphin, and practice saying popular Louisiana French phrases like “Laissez les bon temps rouler”. Push a button and you can listen to how they should be pronounced.
Allow about an hour to enjoy all the interactive displays. You can also pick up various maps and guides to the Creole Nature Trail, and ask any questions you may have before heading out into the Louisiana Outback to explore!
For more information visit the Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point website and the visitlakecharles.org tourism website.
Comments & Reviews
Liz, you have the greatest adventures! This looks like so much fun, my kids would love it! There is something for everyone. I have never been to Louisiana, but will add this to my vacation bucket list!
Looks like fun! My son would definitely get a kick out this. Thanks for sharing!
This looks like such a fun place to stop at, I used to love a good nature trail walk back in my youth.
My family loves places like this. I hope one day I can cross Louisiana off of my bucket list!
This looks like a fun place to visit. I will keep this is mind if I am ever in the area. It would be neat to see how many fish a brown pelican can eat at once and get an above and below water peek at a dolphin.
This sounds so fun. I have never heard of the Creole Nature Trail but I would love it I think.
That looks like so much fun! My kids would love this so much. I’d love to tour the trail with them – starting there!
I love creole culture and the flora and fauna of Louisiana. I’d love to visit the trail with my family.
My kids would eat this up. The trail and Adventure Point both look like a ton of fun.
This would be such a great learning experience. I would love to try some of the local dishes.
My husband and I are wanting to make it to Louisiana someday. I will have to add this to the list of places to see.
This looks like such a fun trip! I haven’t been to Louisiana before!
Beignets? Did someone says beignets? I love them! I have never been to this area of Louisiana but it does sound like an interesting region.
This looks like so much fun! My son would love it.
What a great time! This looks like so much fun. My family would love an adventure like this! Never been to Louisiana but hope to one day. 🙂
What a great place to visit with family! So much to do and see and eat – it’s a perfect day trip!
This is the coolest experience ever. Since I am not familiar with this culture I could learn a lot.
I would love to check out the Creole Nature Trail. It looks like a fun way to spend the afternoon.
This looks like so much fun. I will have to check it out the next time I am in the area.
This looks like it was an amazing experience. I would love to check out the Creole Nature Trail. It looks like fun for the whole family.
Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point sounds very informative of the area! I am dying to get to LA and explore everything, from the wildlife to the food!
What fun! This looks like it would be a lot of fun to do especially as a family! We’ve never been to Louisiana but it would be lots of fun to go! I actually have a friend from there I would love to visit and do something like this with!
I would love to go there with my boys. Lifetime of adventures
I really like your pictures. Also, the Gulf of Mexico beach exploration sounds like such an unique trip. This is quite a package of adventure to do!
Wow, what a wonderful adventure. This is so fun. Thank you for the introduction adding it to my must see places.
We’ve always wanted to take a fun family trip to Louisiana. This looks like the perfect trail to focus on. Wow!!
A great experience! Right in the heart of downtown near Capital One building the place is awesome. Hours can be spent staying and observing beautiful view. Fun for all age groups.
It looks like a lot of fun. I wish I could fly in and enjoy the wonderful adventures the Creole nature Trail could provide.
This place looks fun and educational. I am sure my boys would have a good time exploring everything it offers.
I love to go to fun places that are educational too! I would love to stop here in my travels!
This looks like so much fun! My boys would love going to this place!
it looks both fun and educational. I love to see things in nature and explore things we aren’t familiar with already. Bonus is the cooking! I would love to try some good creole cooking.
We live next door to it in MS and I have never heard of it before today. It looks like so much fun and is going on the top of my list for places for us to go to this summer.
I think that the museum part of it looks interesting.
My family would love to go here and see this! Looks like a lot of fun
This sounds like tons of fun! And it would be fairly close to me in Arkansas.
I would love to visit there someday! It looks like an exciting adventure especially the alligators..Oh my!
I can’t believe that is free! What a fun & educational experience for the kids, I’d love to go there one day!
Oh well this looks like a great road trip well worth it. The different type of experiences look inviting and entertaining. I definitely want to see the spices and cooking!