Located in “The Heart of Louisiana,” the neighboring cities of Alexandria Pineville span the Red River and join forces to preserve the great outdoors and welcome visitors to enjoy its beauty. With the Kisatchie National Forest as its playground, plentiful bayous, and Lake Buhlow, as well as several parks and recreation attractions, hiking, biking, horseback riding, ATVing, golfing, fishing, kayaking, and even motorboat racing has made Louisiana’s moniker as a sportsman’s paradise true to its word.
Kisatchie National Forest is ideal for bird and nature watching, noting popular “Eagle Cams” near Kincaid Lake Campground that have peeked in on hatchlings for eagles Louis & Anna and Alex and Andria! There are more than 40 developed recreation sites that make it easy to get away from it all and commune with nature. Follow Kisatchie National Forest on Facebook to keep up with the latest developments.
There are a couple of other options for seeing animals up close in Alexandria-Pineville. The Alexandria Zoological Park features 500 extraordinary animals, from tigers to otters, and a wonderful place for your wild things to visit with ours! The Gone Wild Safari has a drive-through safari adventure as well as an exotic petting zoo!
And don’t worry if you haven’t brought your gear for your outdoor adventures. There are outfitters like River Paddle Rentals for kayaks and paddle boards. And Hays E. Daze Riding Adventures can set you up with trail horses to explore the wooded trails of Kisatchie
The outdoors figures prominently in historic adventures as well, with the grounds of Kent House (the oldest standing structure in Central Louisiana), Forts Randolph & Buhlow, and many historic homes and even cemeteries, serving as a graceful backdrop to the preserved architecture and stories from pirates, pioneers, generals, natives and settlers who once ventured across the rolling hills and piney forests.
You can take the nearly 500 miles of Colonial Trails Scenic Byway to trace the westward expansion routes and cultural connections of the French, Creole, Anglo, African American, and Native Americans who ventured through the lands, developing fertile fields and military fortifications of our historic past. The Northrup Trail Byway follows the journey of Solomon Northrup, a free-born, African American kidnapped and sold into slavery, chronicled in the movie, “Twelve Years a Slave,” based upon his memoirs.
Outdoor adventure might even mean taking in festival grounds or fresh air concerts in Alexandria Levee Park’s amphitheater along the banks of the Red River. With festivals throughout the year, from Mardi Gras to Winter Fete, booking your outdoor adventure to include festival fun is definitely an option.
You’ll burn up plenty of calories exploring, so you can take your pick of decadent spots to dine throughout the area. With Louisiana favorites, like gumbo, red beans & rice, and etouffee, to the freshest of seafood and down-home barbecue, you won’t leave hungry!
Aside from camping in the great outdoors, we have plenty of comfortable spots to lay your head at the end of a long day exploring in Central Louisiana! From historic Hotel Bentley to brand-name locales, you’ll find a spot to suit your needs for many days of adventuring! Plan your trip now at AlexandriaPinevilleLa.com.
