🥾 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

🚗 2 hr 5 min driving📍 4 stops

🌅

Morning

🚗

Drive

New Orleans, LA → De Soto National Forest

1 hr 51 min

De Soto National Forest

★ Reviews →

Escape into thousands of acres of pristine wilderness perfect for hiking, camping, and reconnecting with nature just hours from the city.

~2.5 hrs📍 See location

🍽️

Lunch

🍽️ Lunch~1 hr

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.

★ Reviews →Restaurant📍 Maps →

2 options · tap to switch

🌙

Evening

🚗

Drive

De Soto National Forest → Ward's Restaurant

14 min

🍽️ Dinner~1 hr

Ward's Restaurant

Savor authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine in a charming countryside setting that captures the soulful flavors of Louisiana's culinary heritage.

★ Reviews →American Restaurant📍 Maps →

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

🚗 3 hr 32 min driving📍 3 stops

🌅

Morning

🚗

Drive

De Soto National Forest → Bogue Chitto State Park

1 hr 54 min

Bogue Chitto State Park

★ Reviews →

Paddle through scenic bayous and cypress swamps while spotting native wildlife in this serene natural sanctuary ideal for outdoor adventurers.

~2 hrs📍 See location

🍽️

Lunch

🍽️ Lunch~30 min

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.

★ Reviews →Bakery📍 Maps →

4 options · tap to switch

🌙

Evening

🚗

Drive

Bogue Chitto State Park → Swamp Monster Restaurant

17 min

🍽️ Dinner~1 hr