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Home/Acadiana/Chicot State Park’s Arboretum
yellow flowers surround cypress tree trunks along nature trail at Louisiana state arboretum at Chicot State Park

Chicot State Park’s Arboretum

Chicot State Park is home to the Louisiana State Arboretum with miles of nature trails for viewing seasonal wildflowers. The arboretum’s hiking trails take you over forested ridges and down to a cypress bottomland swamp.

boardwalk through yellow wildflowers and cypress swamp in Louisiana Arboretum at Chicot State Park
Yellow wildflowers surround cypress trees along bottomland boardwalk

Even a cloudy spring day does not disappoint the casual hiker exploring the arboretum’s more than 5.5 miles of nature trails. The State Arboretum contains most of the habitats commonly found in Louisiana, from upland forests to the swampy lowlands around Lake Chicot. The trails are easy to follow and well-marked with signs that identify dozens of native trees and plants. And the blooming wildflowers change with the seasons.

nature trail through thick forest at Louisiana State Arboretum at Chicot State Park
The nature trail goes from high ridges to low creek crossings

variety of scenery at chicot state park

The Arboretum’s trails wind their way through thick forests. Hikers experience the ups and downs of climbing ridges and then dropping to creek crossings. The more than 200 feet of elevation change provides a comfortable level of exercise for the casual hiker. Because of the hilly terrain, the trails usually drain well after a rain and boardwalks keep you above the water-filled swamp bottomland.

see what it’s like to hike the trails

Watch this short hiking video of the Arboretum’s trails

Chicot state Park’s changing seasons

On my visit in early Spring, the new leaves on the trees are a brilliant green color. And you can see flowers blooming on bushes, hanging vines, as well as tiny flowers peaking through the brown leafy ground cover. It’s good to pause occasionally and look closely at the small flowers. They can be spectacular.

shite wildflowers blooming along nature trail on Louisiana State Arboretum
whilte and yellow wildflowers blooming at Louisiana state Arboretum
wild pink azaleas blooming at Louisiana state Arboretum
field of tiny blooming flowers at Louisiana state Arboretum
red blooms on green leaves at Louisiana state Arboretum
orange and yellow flower on ground leaves at Louisiana state Arboretum
yellow flower bloom on ground at Louisiana state Arboretum
plants on nature trail at Louisiana state Arboretum
pale violet flowers blooming at Louisiana state Arboretum
shite wildflowers blooming along nature trail on Louisiana State Arboretum
whilte and yellow wildflowers blooming at Louisiana state Arboretum
wild pink azaleas blooming at Louisiana state Arboretum
field of tiny blooming flowers at Louisiana state Arboretum
red blooms on green leaves at Louisiana state Arboretum
orange and yellow flower on ground leaves at Louisiana state Arboretum
yellow flower bloom on ground at Louisiana state Arboretum
plants on nature trail at Louisiana state Arboretum
pale violet flowers blooming at Louisiana state Arboretum

protecting nature at the arboretum

A walk along the nature trails at the Arboretum at Chicot State Park is a perfect family outing. But please leave the pets at home and it’s best to stay on the trail. Removing or damaging any plants or animals is strictly prohibited. There are plenty of rest stops with benches along the trails but picnicking is also prohibited and should be done in one of the many picnic areas in the state park.

log bench in the woods along nature trail at Louisiana State Arboretum in Chicot State Park
A rest stop along the nature trail

More to see at the visitors center

Begin your journey at the Louisiana State Arboretum’s visitor’s center inside Chicot State Park. Here, you can see examples of the native animals that live in this 600-acre site. You can also learn more about the plants and geology of this unique location.

nature displays inside visitors center at Louisiana State Arboretum at Chicot State Park
Nature on display inside Arboretum’s visitors center

getting to chicot state park

The Louisiana State Arboretum and nature trails are located inside Chicot State Park in Ville Platte, LA.

1300 Sudie Lawton Lane, Ville Platte, LA 70586

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        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        March 29, 2021
        Thoughts:
        4 Comments

        Categories: Acadiana, Featured

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. Debbie Myer

          March 31, 2021 at 12:23 pm

          Is there an area to tent camp at the Park?

          Reply
          • Dave McNamara

            March 31, 2021 at 1:20 pm

            Hi Debbie, there is tent camping in Chicot State Park. You can get details on their reservations website: https://louisianastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/chicot-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=LA&parkId=240027

            Reply
        2. Kathleen

          May 12, 2022 at 9:11 am

          Are leashed pets allowed in the arboretum?

          Reply
          • Dave McNamara

            May 13, 2022 at 9:20 am

            Hi Kathleen. Here is information from the Chicot State Park website: To help preserve the Arboretum for future generations, removing or damaging any plants or animals is strictly prohibited. Pets and picnicking are not allowed on the grounds due to the preservation status of this site. Picnic grounds and camping facilities are available at nearby Chicot State Park.

            Reply

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