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Home/Central Louisiana/Hiking Louisiana’s Wild Azalea Trail
butterfly on flower in forest along Louisiana's wild Azalea trail

Hiking Louisiana’s Wild Azalea Trail

The Wild Azalea Trail cuts a 24 mile long path through central Louisiana’s Kisatchie National Forest.  You are likely to see wild azaleas blooming in the creek bottoms along the trail during the early spring.

Valentine Lake and trees at Wild Azalea Trail in Louisiana's Kisatchie National Forest
The trail starts at Valentine Lake Recreation Complex

The U.S. Forest Service has designated the Wild Azalea Trail as a National Recreation Trail because of the variety of trees and scenery along the route.  The trail begins at the Valentine Lake Recreation complex, which has several lakefront sites for campers, RVs and tents.  Drinking water is available.  From Valentine Lake, the trail winds its way through rolling hills of pine forests, flatlands and forested lowlands and creek bottoms.

A LONG HIKE ON THE WILD AZALEA TRAIL

Wild Azalea Trail cuts through pine trees in Louisiana's Kisatchie National Forest
Part of the Wild Azalea Trail near the town of Woodworth

If you are planning to hike the entire trail, the Forest Service estimates it will take 16 hours without a backpack to walk from Valentine Lake to the other end of the trail at the town of Woodworth.  However, the trail is easily broken up into shorter segments ranging from 2 to 7 miles in length. 

blooming wild azaleas along the trail

blooming pink wild azaleas along the trail in Louisiana's Kisatchie National Forest
Pink wild azaleas along the trail

If you hike this trail from March through early April, you are likely to see the pinkish-white azaleas in bloom.  Steve Shively of the Forest Service took me to a creek bottom along the trail about 5 miles from Woodworth.  The small stream is lined with the flowering trees. 

two colorful butterflies cling to wild azalea flowers along the trail
Blooming flowers attract numerous butterflies

Adding to the scene are dozens of butterflies that bounced from one flower to another.  Shively explains the difference between these wild azaleas and what we commonly see in Louisiana gardens.  “The ones in the garden at home,” Shively says, “they’re Japanese azaleas. They’ve been bred specifically for real showy flowers, lots of flowers.”

Azaleas near creeks

clear water in creek along Louisiana's Wild Azalea Trail
Clear water flows through Kisatchie creeks

The creek near these blooming wild azaleas has clear running water, likely fed by springs in the rolling hills of the Kisatchie National Forest.  But the Forest Service warns hikers not to drink the water.  The only drinking water along the trail is at the Valentine Lake trailhead. 

hike through a variety of habitats in the kisatchie

The Wild Azalea trail is well-marked and tall evergreens provide year-round shade in some areas.  “It goes through a lot of different habitats,” Shively explains, “a lot of upland pine habitats and it goes down into different creek bottoms that are real pretty.”  And if the azaleas are blooming you may pick up their sweet fragrance as you near a cluster of the azalea trees.  

Watch this video of trail and blooming wild azaleas

walk quietly to get more out of your hike

You are surrounded by nature as you explore the Wild Azalea Trail. “The quieter that you walk, the more likely you are to encounter the wildlife,” Shively says.  We pause and quietly take in the scenery.  We hear a few birds, but their sound is almost masked by the wind.  Shively points out, “A high wind in the tops of pine trees makes a really unforgettable sound.”  I agree.

sun shines through tall pine trees along Louisiana's wild Azalea Trail
Tall pine trees provide shade along the trail

HIKE, BIKE and CAMP ALONG THE WILD AZALEA TRAIL

The trail is designed for both walking and biking.  Also, backpackers are welcome to camp along the trail. But the Forest Service requires that you set up your camp at least 30 feet away from the trail.

wild azalea trail cuts through tall trees and rolling hills in Louisiana's Kisatchie National Forest
Wild Azalea Trail winds its way through wooded hills

Watch Heart of Louisiana tv feature

Wild Azalea Trail featured in TV series

getting there

Valentine Lake Recreation Complex Trailhead near Elmer, LA – Trail ends at town of Woodworth, LA

352-398 Castor Plunge Rd, Woodworth, LA 71485

282-D Valentine North Shore Kisatchie National Forest, Elmer, LA 71424

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        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        March 10, 2021
        Thoughts:
        4 Comments

        Categories: Central Louisiana, Featured

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. Sharon

          March 13, 2021 at 8:01 pm

          Honeysuckles bring back so many childhood memories. Thank you

          Reply
          • Don P.

            March 28, 2021 at 12:50 pm

            That’s what we called them, honeysuckles, even though we new they were wild azaleas and the real honeysuckle vines were entirely different.

            Reply
        2. june F

          March 6, 2025 at 2:11 pm

          Wild Azaleas are POISONOUS

          Reply
          • Dave McNamara

            March 8, 2025 at 3:57 pm

            It’s my understanding that most azaleas, not just the wild ones, are poisonous to people and pets. Many other common garden plants and flowers should be enjoyed for their beauty and not consumed.

            Reply

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