Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Things To Do Near Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Join a park ranger for a tour of Oakland Plantation. Learn how people prepared meals in this home built in 1821 and why workers constructed it without any closets. Then, go on a self-guided tour of the 60 historic outbuildings, including a cook's cabin, the pigeonnier, and tenant cabins. Take the short drive to Natchez to visit Magnolia Mounds Plantation to learn about the struggles that the Civil War brought to this farm. There are 20 outbuildings that you can tour on your own. 

Hiking Trails

• Longleaf Vista Interpretative Trail

  Follow the Longleaf Vista Interpretative Trail in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area of Kisatchie National Forest. The trail runs through a variety of terrain, including hardwood bottomland, open meadows, and creeks. Enjoy the view of the Kisatchie Hills from the two observation towers placed on large sandstone outcroppings. 

  Location

  Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area, 225 Dogwood Park Road, Provencal, Louisiana 71468

  Length

  1.5 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Kincaid Loop Trail

  This scenic trail starts at the East Kincaid Boat Launch, and the midway point is the Kincaid Lake Recreation Area. Enjoy stunning views of the lake before entering the bottomland forest. This trail is a great place to catch glimpses of Louisiana black bears, wild hogs, and bobcats. It's also a fantastic place to go hiking if you need some time alone, as you are likely to be the only one on the path. 

  Location

  Kincaid Lake Recreation Area, Forest Services Road, Boyce, Louisiana 71409

  Length

  9.3 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Sugar Cane National Recreation Trail

  The Sugar Cane National Recreation Trail meanders its way around Upper and Lower Caney Lake. You will love seeing the lily pads from the trail as it goes through swampland around the upper lake. Use the wooden footbridge to cross between the two parts of this figure-eight trail. Then, hike around the larger lower lake to see boaters and water skiers on the water. 

  Location

  Caney Lakes Recreation Area, 194 Caney Lakes Park Road Minden, Louisiana 71055

  Length

  5.7 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

Sightseeing

• Fort Jessup State Historic Site

  Soldiers constructed Fort Jessup State Historic Site to stop Spain from invading the eastern United States. One of the commanding officers was Zachary Taylor, who would later become a U.S. president. See the historical kitchen filled with accurate pieces to reflect the early 1800s. Then, tour the reconstructed captain's quarters. 

  Location

  32 Geoghagan Road, Many, Louisiana 71449

• Melrose Plantation

  Stop at Melrose Plantation to tour the African House, Yucca House, Weaving Cabin, Bindery, the Big House and four other historical buildings. See where Carmelite Garrett Henry worked as a Melrose cook and some of her impressive folk art pieces. Hear the stories of how Fanny Hertzog started one of the first freeman schools. 

  Location

  3533 LA-119, Melrose, Louisiana 71452

• Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge

  See how wildlife officials have converted former rice fields to swampland that attracts up to 45,000 ducks and 10,000 geese during the winter months. There are many nature trails to explore, and the fishing from May to October is usually outstanding. Seasonally, hunting is allowed at this property. 

  Location

  1428 Highway 27, Bell City Louisiana 70630

Museums

• LARC's Acadian Village

  Feel like you have stepped back into an Arcadian village of the early 1800s by stopping at LARC's Acadian Village. Tour the original or reconstructed buildings, including a blacksmith shop, beauty salon, grocery store, and chapel. This venue does fantastic special programming, especially at Christmas when they display over 500,000 Christmas lights. 

  Location

  303 New Hope Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506 

• The Alexandre Mouton House Museum

  This home was originally a dog-trot house constructed for the father of the first Democratic Governor of Louisiana. After his son took over the home, he enclosed the kitchen and built onto it to accommodate his growing family. Inside the house, find many artifacts telling the history of Lafayette, Louisiana. 

  Location

   1122 Lafayette Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store

  Since 1863, shoppers have been coming to Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store to find necessities, including plumbing and hardware parts. You will want to visit this location, the oldest general mercantile store in Louisiana, to see the vast array of things they have for sale, including home décor. Even if you do not intend to buy anything, the historical items they have hung on their walls are worth the visit. 

  Location

  758 Front Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457

• Hello Dolly

  Find fabulous clothes at Hello Dolly. Then, shop from the four unique candle lines. Stock up your pantry on the soup mixes and the unique jellies. There are also many different bath and beauty products to try. 

  Location

  780 Front Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457

• Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant

  Hungry diners have been coming to Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant since 1967 to eat their meat pies. These mouthwatering pies that resemble fried fruit pies that you find in many grocery stores are stuffed full of the perfect blend of meat, vegetables, and Creole seasonings. Additionally, find other favorites, like etouffee, gumbo, and potstickers. 

  Location

  622 Second Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457

• Maglieaux's Riverfront Restaurant

  Enjoy fresh salads, wraps, and sandwiches on the patio, deck, or inside the spacious dining room at Maglieaux's Riverfront Restaurant. This family-owned restaurant is also a great place to get an outstanding steak or a hamburger. All meals are served with delicious Southern sides, like broccoli or fried okra. 

  Location

  805 Washington Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457

How To Get To Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Most people choose to start their visit to Cane River National Historical Park at Oakland Plantation. Head south from Natchitoches on LA-1 South. Turn left onto LA-119 South, which will become LA-494 West. The historic site will be on your right. 

Address

4386 LA-494, Natchez, Louisiana 71456

Fee: Entry fee $0

Learn about Creole history that happened along the Cane River over 200 years by visiting the Cane River Creole National Historical Park. Tour Oakland and Magnolia Mound plantations. Then, explore other historical sites along the river. Kisatchie National Forest is a fantastic place to go hiking with several different options available. Shop until you drop in Natchitoches while fueling your shopping spree with meat pies and other Creole favorites. The best way to explore Arcadia is in an RV. If you do not have one, you can easily rent one on RVshare.com.