Ouachita: Lakes, Wetlands and Culture

At Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, forest and water sit side by side: a nature trail with a boardwalk winds through bottomland forests, and an observation pier extends into the lake. The 5,300-acre refuge includes bottomland hardwood forests, a cypress swamp, and a 1,600-acre lake. More than seven miles of multi-use trails are available for hiking and biking. This means visitors can choose between a trail through the forests and a longer network for walking and cycling. Check current recreation conditions before your visit.

Forests, Lakes and Wetlands

Cheniere Lake, also known as “Shenny Lake,” is the largest lake in Ouachita Parish. At full pool, it covers approximately 3,600 acres of water; it was impounded in 1946. Restoration Park offers a different landscape: the 70-acre forest and wetland park has several overlooks and a 1.2-mile gravel path. Its wetlands formed naturally on a former open-pit mine site. The park also offers educational, research, and recreational opportunities. While Cheniere Lake’s size and impoundment year provide useful points of reference, Restoration Park connects its present-day wetland landscape with its former use as an open-pit mine.

Outdoor Activities

Ouachita Parish Public Range offers facilities for archery and pistol shooting, rifle shooting at distances up to 200 yards, and Five-Stand trap shooting. OPSO Archery Park has seven target or bag targets with marked distances from 15 to 60 yards. While the Public Range brings together several types of shooting, the marked distances at Archery Park make the target ranges specific. The two facilities therefore differ in their types of shooting and distance information.

On the water, Ouachita Paddle and Provisions rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for use on the Ouachita River, Black Bayou Lake, and Bayou Desiard. Availability can change, so check rental availability in advance. For another outdoor outing, Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo is a zoological park covering more than 80 acres, with nearly two miles of trails.

Museums, Gardens and History

The University of Louisiana Monroe Museum of Natural History was founded in 1962. It offers both self-guided visits and guided tours. The Northeast Louisiana Delta African-American Heritage Museum preserves and presents fine art, historical documents, and cultural artifacts that reflect the lives, heritage, and ongoing contributions of African Americans in the region. The Masur Museum of Art’s permanent collection includes paintings, prints, and sculptures; the museum presents six to eight exhibitions each year.

The Biedenharn Museum & Gardens includes the elegant residence of Joseph Biedenharn, recognized as the first Coca-Cola bottler. The ELSong Gardens cover more than one acre and combine terraces, fountains, formal plantings, and statues with year-round blooms. Layton Castle offers tours and photography packages for its historic grounds. Tours must be arranged in advance.

Getting There and Choosing a Hotel

Monroe Regional Airport provides commercial and cargo service for Ouachita Parish, as well as direct flights to Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth. Routes and schedules can change, so confirm the details for your travel dates. When choosing a hotel, start by deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: days at lakes and wetlands, museum visits, or activities such as archery and paddling call for different itineraries. Then check how close the hotel is to the places you plan to visit and organize your stay according to your own priorities.

Discover more destinations: Monroe, West Monroe, Richland, Beauregard Parish, St. Mary Parish, Webster, Madison, St John The Baptist

For the broader travel overview: Louisiana.