Kisatchie National Forest

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Kisatchie National Forest, the only national forest in Louisiana, is located in the state's old growth piney hills and hardwood bottoms of seven central and northern parishes. It totals more than 604,000 acres (2,440 km²) of public lands.

The forest was designated in 1930 during the administration of U.S. President Herbert Hoover, based on efforts of the Louisiana Forestry Department and its botanist and preservationist Caroline Dormon of Natchitoches Parish.

Kisatchie National Forest provides opportunity for many kinds of recreation activities including: all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use, backpacking, boating, camping, cycling, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking, picnicing and swimming. The forest offers more than 40 developed recreation sites and over 100 miles (160 km) of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Headquartered in Pineville, Kisatchie National Forest operates five ranger districts in the north-central area of the state: Calcasieu, Caney, Catahoula, Kisatchie and Winn.

The Calcasieu Ranger district is the southern most district, located between Alexandria, Leesville and DeRidder. The district features Lakes Kincaid and Valentine, as well as the Wild Azalea National Recreation Trail.

The Caney Ranger district is located north of Shreveport near the Arkansas state line.

The Catahoula Ranger district is located north of Pineville. The district features Stuart Lake Recreation Complex; hiking and biking along the Glenn Emery Trail; the original Louisiana State University site in Pineville; hunting in the National Catahoula Wildlife Management Preserve; and two ATV trails at Camp Livingston.

The Kisatchie Ranger district is located between Leesville and Natchitoches. The district includes the sandstone bluffs of the Longleaf Vista Recreation Area; the white sandy beaches and rocky rapids at Kisatchie Bayou Recreation Area; a wilderness challenge in the nationally designated Kisatchie Hills Wildernes; the 17-mile Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway; an ATV trail on the Sandstone Multi-Use Trail; and the Caroline Dormon Horse Trail.

The Winn Ranger District is situated between Natchitoches and Winnfield in the central part of the state. It features the Gum Springs Campground; the Gum Springs Horse Trail; Saline Bayou; the Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve; camping and picnicking areas at Cloud Crossing; and the Dogwood Interpretive Trail for hiking.