🥾 ActiveWeekend · from New Orleans, LA
Piney Trails & Riverside Refuge
Escape into pristine pine forests and tranquil riverside sanctuaries, discovering hidden natural beauty just beyond the city's reach.
Day 1 — De Soto National ForestDay 2 — Bogue Chitto State Park
Day 1 — De Soto National Forest
Day 1 — De Soto National Forest
🚗 2 hr 5 min driving📍 4 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
New Orleans, LA → De Soto National Forest
1 hr 51 min8:00 AM → 9:51 AM
De Soto National Forest
★ 4.5Escape into thousands of acres of pristine wilderness perfect for hiking, camping, and reconnecting with nature just hours from the city.
9:51 AM📍 See location
🍽️
Lunch
🍽️ Lunch10:51 AM
Lumberjacks Cafe
A Louisiana roadside café with enormous portions of Cajun comfort food — boudin, gumbo, and the kind of red beans and rice that has visiting locals nodding in approval.
2 options · tap to switch
🌙
Evening
🚗
Drive
De Soto National Forest → Ward's Restaurant
14 min5:00 PM → 5:14 PM
🍽️ Dinner5:14 PM
Ward's Restaurant
Savor authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine in a charming countryside setting that captures the soulful flavors of Louisiana's culinary heritage.
3 options · tap to switch
🛏️
The Oaks Bed & Breakfast — Hattiesburg
A well-regarded Hattiesburg B&B in a restored 1904 Victorian house in the oak-shaded residential historic district — the closest comfortable lodging to the De Soto National Forest, 30 minutes north of the park's main entrance. Full breakfast, quiet garden, and an owner with strong knowledge of the local trail network.
Day 2 — Bogue Chitto State Park
Day 2 — Bogue Chitto State Park
🚗 3 hr 32 min driving📍 3 stops
🌅
Morning
🚗
Drive
De Soto National Forest → Bogue Chitto State Park
1 hr 54 min8:00 AM → 9:54 AM
Bogue Chitto State Park
★ 4.7Paddle through scenic bayous and cypress swamps while spotting native wildlife in this serene natural sanctuary ideal for outdoor adventurers.
9:54 AM📍 See location
🍽️
Lunch
🍽️ Lunch10:54 AM
Sugar Shack
A Louisiana bakery with fresh beignets, king cake, and a daily pastry case that changes with the seasons. A natural stop for a midday treat between bigger destinations.
4 options · tap to switch
🌙
Evening
🚗
Drive
Bogue Chitto State Park → Swamp Monster Restaurant
17 min5:00 PM → 5:17 PM
🍽️ Dinner5:17 PM
Swamp Monster Restaurant
Experience eccentric swamp-side dining complete with quirky décor and local character that embodies the wild spirit of Louisiana's backwoods culture.
4 options · tap to switch
🚗
Drive
Swamp Monster Restaurant → New Orleans, LA
1 hr 21 min6:17 PM → 7:38 PM
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