Special Spaces: Outdoors

SPECIAL SPACES BY ADAM BAILEY

Get Outside. Explore Nature.

Fun, fitness, and wild animals are the order of things un, fitness, and wild animals are the order of things in Northwest Louisiana—which is also known as the in Northwest Louisiana—which is also known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise.” Kayak or canoe on the multitude of rivers, swamps and bayous, spot countless titude of rivers, swamps and bayous, spot countless species of wildlife, and hike in the area’s lush landscapes—all species of wildlife, and hike in the area’s lush landscapes—all on the same day, if you’re so inclined. Simply go and get outside. Explore everything Northwest Louisiana has to offer. side. Explore everything Northwest Louisiana has to offer.

Getting out in nature is not just about spending time outside. Experts say that exploring the outdoors advances your intellectual, emotional, social, and physical health. So, when you take the time to participate in outdoor exploration, there is the added benefit of strengthening your overall wellbeing. Even if you’re not big on outdoor play, there are a multitude of fun and easy ways to get excited about nature—and all right here in Northwest Louisiana. Who knows? You might

even find that when you engage in these activities, you’ll have a newfound appreciation of the great outdoors, too!

Paddleboarding, Canoeing and Kayaking

Water is abundant throughout Northwest Louisiana. What better way to experience the area’s unique aquatic ecosystems than via paddleboard, canoe, or kayak? Scenic, slow-moving waterways crisscross the region, and the abundance of creeks, bayous and small rivers lend themselves to excellent opportunities for any paddling enthusiasts. Chances are you’ll see elegant wildlife, pass under groves of mysterious tree canopies, or even brush past the occasional alligator no matter your vessel of choice. Unlike the fast rushing “white waters” found in other states, here you’ll find peaceful exploration in the many bayous, small rivers, creeks, and marshes that offer an assortment of paddling adventures around every bend. Getting out in nature is not just about spending time out side. Experts say that exploring the outdoors advances your intellectual, emotional, social, and physical health. So, when you take the time to participate in outdoor explora tion, there is the added benefit of strengthening your over At 33,000 acres, Caddo Lake is the largest natural lake in the south. Straddling the Louisiana-Texas line just 15 miles north of Shreveport, Caddo Lake offers a rare, if not singular, wetlands environment. And calling it a lake is a stretch— at 12 miles wide and 16 miles long, it looks more like a flooded cypress swamp than a natural lake. It’s home to over 200 species of birds, hundreds of different species of mammals, of fun and easy ways to get excited about nature—and all right here in Northwest Louisiana. Who knows? You might reptiles and fish, as well, and countless plants, and trees— most prominently the towering bald cypress, some as old

the south. Straddling the Louisiana-Texas line just 15 miles north of Shreveport, Caddo Lake offers a rare, if not singu lar, wetlands environment. And calling it a lake is a stretch— at 12 miles wide and 16 miles long, it looks more like a flood ed cypress swamp than a natural lake. It’s home to over 200 species of birds, hundreds of different species of mammals, reptiles and fish, as well, and countless plants, and trees— most prominently the towering bald cypress, some as old

as 400 years, that erupt from its surface like limbs of as 400 years, that erupt from its surface like limbs of drowned giants. Its natural beauty by itself can stop drowned giants. Its natural beauty by itself can stop you dead in your tracks, but Caddo Lake also works you dead in your tracks, but Caddo Lake also works on the primal circuits. Simply put, it sticks with you (even if it is kind of a creepy place). Located on the western outskirts of Shreveport, Cross Lake, is an easy getaway for water recreation activities and fishing. This 8,800-acre lake has over activities and fishing. This 8,800-acre lake has over 50 miles of shoreline and has four boat ramps avail 50 miles of shoreline and has four boat ramps available to the public. Two marinas on the lake serve the able to the public. Two marinas on the lake serve the public boating needs. Kayaks and canoes are ideal public boating needs. Kayaks and canoes are ideal for accessing much of the shallow-water fishing ar for accessing much of the shallow-water fishing areas. Moss-covered cypress trees and aquatic vegetation provide the primary cover for bass, crappie, tation provide the primary cover for bass, crappie, sunfish and baitfish. If you prefer something with a sunfish and baitfish. If you prefer something with a motor, rent a boat or bring your own and spend a day motor, rent a boat or bring your own and spend a day enjoying the great views plus some excellent fishing enjoying the great views plus some excellent fishing opportunities.

Nature Centers Nature Centers

Plants and animals are up to something every sin Plants and animals are up to something every single day. If you want to see the sights and sounds of gle day. If you want to see the sights and sounds of spring, you might want to check out the nation’s spring, you might want to check out the nation’s largest garden dedicated to roses. The Garden of the largest garden dedicated to roses. The Garden of the American Rose Center, a 118-acre park located in American Rose Center, a 118-acre park located in west Shreveport, serves as the national headquar west Shreveport, serves as the national headquarters for the American Rose Society and features over ters for the American Rose Society and features over 20,000 rosebushes and companion plants, sculp 20,000 rosebushes and companion plants, sculptures, and fountains, including the beautiful Dudley tures, and fountains, including the beautiful Dudley Watkins Reflection Pool. Peak bloom times are April to June and September to October, although guests to June and September to October, although guests are allowed year-round. Pets on leashes are welcome are allowed year-round. Pets on leashes are welcome on all its walking trails, and there is a picnic area and on all its walking trails, and there is a picnic area and children’s playground. children’s playground. The organization moved here in 1974, planting roots to develop America’s largest garden dedicated solely to develop America’s largest garden dedicated solely to roses. While the gardens are undergoing a renovation through 2022, they’re still open for visitors. And, tion through 2022, they’re still open for visitors. And, because of the garden’s outdoor space and beauty, it because of the garden’s outdoor space and beauty, it is the perfect activity for social distancing in groups. If roses aren’t your thing, check out the If roses aren’t your thing, check out the Cypress Nature Study Center in Benton. Founded in 1977 as a preserve for nature study, the center is devoted to celebrating and exploring life through nature by to celebrating and exploring life through nature by sharing the excitement and fun of our natural world. sharing the excitement and fun of our natural world. Situated on 184-acres of forest and wetlands, the Situated on 184-acres of forest and wetlands, the Nature Center’s multi-use facility includes a large Nature Center’s multi-use facility includes a large Interpretive Center, classroom, and an animal lab Interpretive Center, classroom, and an animal lab where you will see many types of fish, crawfish, and where you will see many types of fish, crawfish, and turtles. The Nature Center provides educational pro turtles. The Nature Center provides educational programs and services to students, teachers, scouts, and grams and services to students, teachers, scouts, and families throughout northwest Louisiana, south families throughout northwest Louisiana, southwestern Arkansas, and east Texas. western Arkansas, and east Texas. The Nature Center’s interpretive stations help anyone discover nature by looking, touching, feeling, one discover nature by looking, touching, feeling, and interacting with the exhibits and live animals. and interacting with the exhibits and live animals. Their “touch table” allows visitors to see and feel a Their “touch table” allows visitors to see and feel a snake skin, deer antlers, pine cones, nuts from trees snake skin, deer antlers, pine cones, nuts from trees

American Rose Center

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BEFORE

AFTER and many different types of rocks located in the region. The and many different types of rocks located in the region. The Center also has 12 trails totaling approximately 4.5 miles. There are rustic dirt trails and a quarter mile section of trails designed for wheelchair accessibility. The 84-acre natural area of bottomland and upland hardwoods, educational inlet, and lake is a sanctuary to a wide variety of cational inlet, and lake is a sanctuary to a wide variety of songbirds, small mammals, birds of prey, wetland animals, songbirds, small mammals, birds of prey, wetland animals, and a variety of plants and fungi. and a variety of plants and fungi.

Abundant Wildlife

Do you want to see some animals? Northwest Louisiana’s mild climate and unusual terrain, along with the many state mild climate and unusual terrain, along with the many state parks and national wildlife refuges, make it a haven for those parks and national wildlife refuges, make it a haven for those who enjoy looking at wildlife in their natural habitat. The who enjoy looking at wildlife in their natural habitat. The state’s rich ecosystems form a nurturing habitat—a diversity state’s rich ecosystems form a nurturing habitat—a diversity of remnant prairie, bottomland hardwood forests, wetlands, of remnant prairie, bottomland hardwood forests, wetlands, and piney woods—for all kinds of species. and piney woods—for all kinds of species. Are you into birdwatching? Birds that could be considered Are you into birdwatching? Birds that could be considered target species in the region include ringed kingfisher, gray target species in the region include ringed kingfisher, gray flycatcher, Cassin’s sparrow, and dusky-capped flycatcher. flycatcher, Cassin’s sparrow, and dusky-capped flycatcher. It’s also the only region in the state where Bewick’s wren, It’s also the only region in the state where Bewick’s wren, western meadowlark, smith’s longspur, and Harris’s spar western meadowlark, smith’s longspur, and Harris’s sparrows regularly populate. rows regularly populate. The Red River National Wildlife Refuge in Bossier City is a seven-mile trail system that provides access to what is said to be a critical stopover point for more than 200 species of migratory songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and wading

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birds in its swamps, wide bayous, upland streams, and grasslands. The most common birds seen are the wild turkey, barred owls, white-breasted nuthatches, as well as the rare prothonotary warbler.

Birding doesn’t require much equipment. Grab the binoculars, some sunscreen, and your camera, and you’re ready to go. But, before heading out, be sure you become familiar with the squeaky call of the nuthatch and the whistled song of the sparrow, as learning both greatly helps to know their raspy call.

Hiking

Hiking is the perfect way for the entire family, at any skill level, to experience the outdoors in Shreveport-Bossier without breaking the budget. It provides the opportunity to see places you would never get to see at a pace that allows you to soak in your surroundings. Granted, northbirds in its swamps, wide bayous, upland streams, and west Louisiana may be best known for its lowland marshes, grasslands. The most common birds seen are the wild tur swamps shrouded in mystery, plentiful waterways, and ferkey, barred owls, white-breasted nuthatches, as well as the tile cropland, but the region also boasts a variety of hiking trails for those who prefer to explore the outdoors on foot.

Birding doesn’t require the binoculars, some sun screen, and your camera, and you’re ready to go. But, before heading out, be sure you become famil iar with the squeaky call of the nuthatch and the whis tled song of the sparrow, as learning both greatly helps for the entire family, at any the outdoors in Shreve port-Bossier without breaking the budget. It pro vides the opportunity to see you to soak in your sur west Louisiana may be best known for its lowland marshes, swamps shrouded in mystery, plentiful waterways, and fer tile cropland, but the region also boasts a variety of hiking trails for those who prefer to explore the outdoors on foot.

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For those seeking to add a little elevation to their hike, the For those seeking to add a little elevation to their hike, the highest mountain in Louisiana is 535-feet tall—considered a hill in most states—but it stills offers some beauti ered a hill in most states—but it stills offers some beautiful views of the area. At Driskill Mountain Driskill Mountain, there is about a , there is about a mile of marked trails which guide hikers up and down the mile of marked trails which guide hikers up and down the mountain, with two different options, the more difficult marked with blue signs although it’s not overly challeng marked with blue signs although it’s not overly challenging. At the top, you’ll be able to view an endless sea of trees ing. At the top, you’ll be able to view an endless sea of trees and Jordan Mountain in the distance. The Sugar Cane Trail Sugar Cane Trail within the Caney Lakes Recreation Complex (near Minden) is a looped trail totaling about sev-Complex (near Minden) is a looped trail totaling about sev en miles through rolling, hilly terrain that’s typical of this en miles through rolling, hilly terrain that’s typical of this part of the state. A mixture of pine and oak give shade to part of the state. A mixture of pine and oak give shade to the well-worn trail and one can expect several nice views the well-worn trail and one can expect several nice views of Caney Lake. This trail is the most child-friendly hike of Caney Lake. This trail is the most child-friendly hike among the groups named. If you’re new to hiking, or maybe you just want a nice long, If you’re new to hiking, or maybe you just want a nice long, relaxing stroll, a mere twenty minutes from downtown relaxing stroll, a mere twenty minutes from downtown Shreveport, head to Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Park Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Park Nature Trail—a 160-acre pine-oak-hickory forest with five miles of hiking trails featuring beautiful wildflowers and is good for all skill levels. All the walkways and trails and is good for all skill levels. All the walkways and trails through Walter B. Jacobs offer a unique educational experience for visitors. Wildlife and foliage are identified perience for visitors. Wildlife and foliage are identified by clear and informative signs. It’s great for nature buffs, by clear and informative signs. It’s great for nature buffs, with plenty of flora and fauna, a leisurely romantic hike, or with plenty of flora and fauna, a leisurely romantic hike, or if you happen to have a little one or dog in tow.

An interpretive building, pavilion equipped with restrooms, and naturalists are staffed to offer guests with information on the natural region. During the summer, the park truly comes alive with its annual environmental day camp called Earth Camp that is offered to kids. Just be sure to bring a picnic basket.

ATV/UTV Riding

The term “ATV” is typically synonymous with the slang term “quad” and conjures up images of four-wheeled vehicles intended for single-rider use. Most UTV’s offer the same benefit, hence the name “Utility Terrain Vehicle.” No longer are these machines intended for just hauling junk around the yard. In fact, many are built for performance and there are ample areas around Shreveport-Bossier to test them out. Muddy Bottoms, a 5,000-acre ATV/UTV park (near Springhill) is only 50 miles northeast of Shreveport. According to the park’s website, it’s the largest facility of its kind in the nation. It’s an “outdoor lover’s dream” and offers multiple terrains to create an ATV rider’s paradise. Among the many features are a vast mud bog, a giant outdoor amphitheater and a huge spray park and playground. If you prefer something a little closer to home, High Lifter Off-Road Park, near Keithville, extends its love of all things off-road and has created a place for local ATV enthusiasts to ride. For residents of Shreveport-Bossier, this close-to-home park is operated by the people who wrote the book on riding ATVs in challenging conditions. The park includes 570 acres of land with over 25 miles of trails, four prepared mud pits, a motocross track, three ponds, and much, much more.

The term “ATV” is typically synonymous with the slang term “quad” ated a place for local ATV enthusiasts to ride. For residents of Shreve wrote the book on riding ATVs in challenging conditions. The park in cludes 570 acres of land with over 25 miles of trails, four prepared mud

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Sailing

With its history and plentiful opportunities to eat, drink, and copious entertainment options, it’s sometimes forgotten that the Red River isn’t the only major body of water near Shreveport-Bossier. On the west side of Shreveport is the large, open expanse of Cross Lake, to which sailors of

all experience levels flock, taking private lessons to learn the ancient art. And the Shreveport Yacht Club has a great history of sailing on its waters. Regattas usually include a laid-back racing environment, with outdoor cooking, revelry, and a day of fun-filled racing. Anyone passionate about sailing or simply learning how is encouraged to come and join in the celebration.

And There Is So Much More

With a long and unique history reaching back centuries—long before the area became a state of its own—the region surrounding Shreveport-Bossier is famous the world over for the richness and diversity of its natural heritage. Enticing as they all may be—paddling, hunting, fishing, birding, sailing, or gaming— With its history and plentiful opportunities to eat, drink, these aren’t the only activities Northwest Louisiana has to offer. With warm weather throughout the year and a varied ten that the Red River isn’t the only major body of water and distinctive landscape unlike any other in America, this abundantly diverse region provides a wealth of opportunithe large, open expanse of Cross Lake, to which sailors of ties for any nature lover to enjoy!

all experience levels flock, tak ing private lessons to learn the has a great history of sailing on its waters. Regattas ing environment, with outdoor fun-filled racing. Anyone pas sionate about sailing or simply learning how is encouraged to come and join in the celebration. With a long and unique history its own—the region surrounding Shreveport-Bossier is famous the world over for the richness birding, sailing, or gaming— these aren’t the only activities Northwest Louisiana has to offer. With warm weather throughout the year and a varied abundantly diverse region provides a wealth of opportuni