2026 First Day Hikes
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2026 First Day Hikes
We’re welcoming 2026 and looking ahead to America’s 250th birthday in a way that feels true to Louisiana: outside, surrounded by our landscapes, our stories, and our people.
For two days, our State Parks and State Historic Sites will host hikes that highlight everything that makes this place special. Longleaf pine ridges, cypress swamps, quiet trails, river overlooks, ancient mounds, and historic grounds where Louisiana’s history has unfolded.
This isn’t just a walk in the woods. It’s a chance to start the year slow, breathe deep, and reconnect with the land and the stories that shaped us.
Bring friends, bring family, bring your favorite walking shoes.
Audubon State Historic Site
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 9:30 AM
Meeting at: Museum visitor center
Distance: 1.25 miles (improved trail) and 0.17 miles (ADA trail)
Ranger Guided: No
Notes: Minimum Age for Children: 4+
Bayou Segnette State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 8 AM to 5 PM
Meeting at: Entrance Station
Distance: choose your trail
Ranger Guided: No
Notes:
Bogue Chitto State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 8 AM to 5 PM
Meeting at:
Distance: choose your trail
Ranger Guided: No
notes: 1 Action Trackchair available for reservation at the Visitors Center
Chemin-A-Haut State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 8:00 AM until 7:15 PM
Meeting at: Entrance Station
Distance: choose your trail
Ranger Guided: No
Cypremort Point State Park
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 8:00 AM
Meeting at: Entrance Station
Distance: choose your trail
Ranger Guided: No
Fairview-Riverside State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM
Meeting at:
Distance: .25 miles
Ranger Guided: No
Notes: elevated boardwalk hike.
Fontainebleau State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 9:30 AM
Meeting at: Visitors Center
Distance: 2.25 miles
Ranger Guided: Yes
Notes: 1 Action Trackchair available for reservation at the Visitors Center
Fort Jesup State Historic Site
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 10:00 AM
Meeting at: Museum visitor center
Distance: .5 miles
Ranger Guided: Yes
Notes: The hike is appropriate for ages 4 and up, but once we step off the walkways due to inclines and natural barriers this route is not accessible for mobility devices.
Forts Randolph & Buhlow State Historic Site
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 11:00 AM (nature focused) & 1:00 PM (history focused)
Meeting at: Park Museum
Distance: 1 Mile
Ranger Guided: Yes
Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 9:00 AM
Meeting at: Park Museum
Distance: 1 Mile
Ranger Guided: Yes
Grand Isle State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting time TBD
Meeting at: Middle Bathhouse
Distance: 1 mile
Ranger Guided: Yes
Notes: This hike will be on the beach. 1 balloon wheel wheelchair available.
Jimmie Davis State Park
Date: 1/1/26 & 1/2/26 starting at 8:00 AM (All day event)
Meeting at:
Distance: .5 miles (Piney Woods Trail) & .8 miles (track chair trail)
Ranger Guided: No
Notes: 1 Trackchair available for reservation. Leashed pets are welcome.
Lake Bistineau State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 8 AM to 5 PM
Meeting at: Park Pavilion 1 or 2
Distance: Discovery Trail-.25 mile. Pintail Loop-1.2 miles.
Ranger Guided: No
Lake Bruin State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Meeting at:
Distance: 1 miles
Ranger Guided: No
Lake Claiborne State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 8:00 AM
Meeting at: Meeting Room Parking Lot
Distance: .75 mile "kid friendly" and 1 mile
Ranger Guided: Yes
Notes: Leashed dogs are welcome
Lake D'Arbonne State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Meeting at:
Distance: choose your own trail.
Ranger Guided: No
notes: 1 Action Trackchair available for reservation at the Visitors Center
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 10:00 AM
Meeting at:
Distance: choose your own trail
Ranger Guided: No
Louisiana State Arboretum/Chicot State Park
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM
Meeting at:
Distance: choose your own trail
Ranger Guided: No
notes: 1 Action Trackchair available for reservation at the Visitors Center
Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 9:30 AM
Meeting at: Visitor center porch
Distance: 1 Miles
Ranger Guided: Yes
Notes: Min. age for children is 6 years old
Mansfield State Historic Site
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 10:00 AM
Meeting at: Visitor center
Distance: 1 Miles
Ranger Guided: No
North Toledo Bend State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Meeting at:
Distance: choose your own trail.
Ranger Guided: No
Notes: 1 Action Trackchair available for reservation
Palmetto Island State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 10:00 AM
Meeting at: Pavilion 1
Distance: 2 miles & .75 miles
Ranger Guided: Yes
Notes: For families and those with little ones or pets, a shorter 0.75-mile kid- and pet-friendly route will also be available.
Port Hudson State Historic Site
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 10:00 AM
Meeting at: Museum visitor center
Distance: 2 miles
Ranger Guided: Yes
Notes: Not ADA accessible.
Poverty Point Reservoir State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 11:00 AM
Meeting at: Visitor Center
Distance:1.5 Miles
Ranger Guided: No
Notes: Due to the hike being on unpaved natural terrain with inclines this route is not accessible for mobility devices. The trails could be muddy.
Poverty Point World Heritage Site
Date: 1/2/26 & 1/3/26 starting at 10:00 AM
Meeting at: Museum
Distance: 2.6 miles
Ranger Guided: Yes
Notes: leashed dogs allowed. No ADA accessibility in some trail areas such as Mound A
Rebel State Historic Site
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 10:00 AM
Meeting at: Picnic Pavilion
Distance: .75 Miles
Ranger Guided: Yes
Notes: The hike is appropriate for ages four and up. However, due to the hike being on unpaved natural terrain with inclines and natural barriers this route is not accessible for mobility devices.
Rosedown State Historic Site
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 10:00 AM
Meeting at: Gift Shop
Distance: 1 Mile
Ranger Guided: Yes
Saint Bernard State Park
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 1:00 AM
Meeting at: Trail Head in Day Use Area
Distance: .9 miles
Ranger Guided: No
Sam Houston Jones State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 9:00 AM
Meeting at:
Distance: Your choice
Ranger Guided: NO
notes: 1 Action Trackchair available for reservation at the Visitors Center
South Toledo Bend State Park
Date: 1/1/26 starting at 9:00 AM
Meeting at:
Distance: 1 mile
Ranger Guided:
Tickfaw State Park
Date: 1/2/26 starting at 12:00 PM
Meeting at: Nature Center
Distance: 0.5 Miles
Ranger Guided: Yes
Notes: Strollers and wagons are not recommended due to gravel sections of the trail. Dogs are welcome but must remain on a short leash.