Bossier Parish: Trails, History and Art

Bossier Parish offers a range of ways to shape a trip: trails at Red River National Wildlife Refuge, parks with their own distinct features, and opportunities to explore aviation and local history. Exhibitions by local artists and events are also part of the picture. To start planning, decide whether you’d like to spend most of your time outdoors, learn about history, or include art and events.

These priorities can also guide your hotel search. Consider which places matter for your itinerary, and compare each hotel’s location with your list of places to visit. This way, your choice reflects your plans rather than unsupported assumptions about amenities or services.

Trails and parks with distinct features

The trails at the visitor center and in the Red River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters Unit are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. The Headquarters Unit in Bossier City has more than five miles of hiking trails. For planning purposes, these details answer two different questions: daylight sets the daily access window, while the mileage indicates the extent of the trails. Check for possible temporary closures before your visit.

Tall Timbers Park is east of Haughton, near the Tall Timbers subdivision, and borders U.S. Highway 80. Its walking trail is heavily used by local residents. Youth teams practice football, baseball, and soccer on the athletic field. Walking and team practice are two distinct uses of the park.

Parish Camp at Lake Bistineau has a renovated public boat launch. At Lake Plain Dealing Park, the notable feature is its connection to the National Scenic Boom or Bust Byway in Louisiana: the park is part of the byway. These details point to different planning considerations—a boat launch at the lake in one case, and inclusion on a designated scenic byway in the other.

South Bossier Park reopened in February 2026. At the time of reopening, the restrooms, facilities, and park amenities were ready for public use. Check the park’s status before your trip.

Aviation, local history, and art

Barksdale Global Power Museum displays historic aircraft including the B-17 and B-24 bombers, the P-51 Mustang, the B-52D and B-52G Stratofortress, the SR-71 Blackbird, and the B-1B. The museum has ten exhibit galleries. The combination of galleries and specifically named aircraft gives the aviation theme a clear focus.

The Bossier Parish Library Historical Center collects and preserves materials on the history of Bossier Parish and creates exhibits on local history. The History Center is part of the Bossier Central Library Complex; visitors also have access to a dedicated research room. The collection, exhibits, and research facilities offer different ways to explore local history.

The Bossier Arts Council presents exhibitions by local artists, which change every two months. The Council also hosts programs throughout the year, including ARTini and the SBC Zombie Walk. If you’d like to plan around one of these events, check its dates in advance.

In Bossier City’s East Bank District, Flying Heart Brewing offers a tour or a tasting. Which of these activities you include in your trip can also be a useful starting point for choosing where to stay.

Discover more destinations: Red Chute, Bossier City, Vermilion, Livingston, Plaquemines Parish, Webster, Vernon, West Feliciana.

For the broader travel overview: Louisiana.