Things to do Near North Toledo Bend State Park
The first thing you may notice about North Toledo Bend State Park is its namesake reservoir’s size. Toledo Bend Reservoir is one of the largest manmade bodies of water in the nation, and certainly the largest in the South. This 900-acre park at the north end of the lake is a wonderful base camp for exploring and enjoying this freshwater marvel.
The first thing you may notice about North Toledo Bend State Park is its namesake reservoir’s size. Toledo Bend Reservoir is one of the largest manmade bodies of water in the nation, and certainly the largest in the South. This 900-acre park at the north end of the lake is a wonderful base camp for exploring and enjoying this freshwater marvel.
North Toledo Bend State Park has a wealth of facilities and conveniences for boaters. The boat launch is easily accessible, as is the fish cleaning station and nearby piers. You can rent flat-bottom boats and canoes as well; the former by the day and the latter by the hour or day. Both come with paddles and life jackets.
Once you’re on the water, get your tackle box, rod and reel ready. State record catches of bass, bowfin and crappie have been caught at Toledo Bend Reservoir. Dozens of fishing competitions, from the Little Anglers Big Bass Showdown to the Ladies Bass Anglers Association to much larger tournaments, have taken place here.
Those who prefer to stay onshore have plenty to do with their time as well. North Toledo Bend State Park has a full-size swimming pool (open Memorial Day through mid-August), and nearly six miles of trails for day hiking. Bird watchers, take note: Numerous species call Toledo Bend Reservoir and its surrounding hills home. Look around for even a short time, and you may well see some unfamiliar feathered friends.
North Toledo Bend State Park’s off-the-beaten-path location makes it a very appealing park for overnight visits. Guests have a range of options, between the premium RV campsites with prime views of the lake, to improved sites that are just a short walk to the shoreline, to cabins that offer visitors privacy and comfort, plus enviable views of the surrounding wilderness.
Nearby Attractions
North Toledo Bend State Park is surrounded by miles of pine and hardwood forests, with pockets of farms and homes mixed in. Visit one of them — Logansport — where you’ll find River’s Edge Restaurant. This traditional country restaurant serves up big helpings of chicken-fried steak and other soul food staples. Another local stop worth making time for is the antique store N.J. Caraway & Company, where relics from the past can become your souvenirs.
Logansport is located on the Toledo Bend Forest Byway, part of a network of scenic roads throughout the state known as Louisiana Scenic Byways. The Byways program was designed to get travelers off the main highways and into the small communities and wide-open spaces that tell stories you just won’t find while speeding down the interstate.
Closer to North Toledo Bend State Park is Zwolle, a town best known for its Zwolle Tamale Fiesta. This annual event brings together locals and out-of-towners alike in a celebration of the area’s American Indian and Spanish heritage. Cultural displays, a parade, carnival and contests (including a not-to-be-missed tamale eating competition) are on the schedule at this beloved fest. Hungry for tamales when the fest isn’t happening? You’re in luck. E.B.’s Tamale Co. makes them year-round, and you can pick up a few directly from the factory in Zwolle.