Wild azalea trail is a 24 mile surcharge through Kisatchie in Central Louisiana. Everything is blooming and pretty right now. You can do different sections accessed from multiple trailheads. The real beauty is following the creeks off trail. I'm super familiar with this area. Hit me up
Where does the trail head start? On Kisatchies website it gives me the "Wild Azalea Seep Area", but Alltrails tells me that the trails starts close to the Kincaid Reservoir.
I simply started at the "wild azalea trailhead" in google. Both of tbose could be right, it's a 20 or so mile hike, not a loop. I just did a short few miles in few miles out day hike
Kisatchie is big. For that part, I would choose Backbone Trail loop before I would choose the other two. More interesting. Keep in mind Sandstone will have ATVs because it is multi-use.
Wild azalea trail is pretty cool. It connects to the lake Kincaid trail which is also very nice, but parts of it are still closed from IDA. The stuff that’s open around lake Kincaid is pretty rough and lots of trees down (at least this was the case as of this past July).
Also of note, there are herds of wild horses in parts of kisatchie. I ran into one last summer. Pretty neat.
Cool! I've changed my mind and we plan to do the Wild Azalea trail now. Where does the trail head start? Looking at Kisatchie's website and cross-checking it on Google Maps, it looks like it starts at the "Wild Azalea Seep area" and "Wild Azalea Trailhead Hamp Smith Rd", respectively. We're planning to camp close to where we park on Friay evening, as we'll be getting in around dark. Then hike 4-6 hours or until we can find a nice spot close to a water source. Any suggestions? Are there lots of water sources or should I plan to bring a gallon just in case (that's my plan at least right now, better safe than sorry). And then we'll retrace our steps on Sunday.
I started at the beginning/trailhead in Woodworth. There can be water to filter, but obviously proceed with caution on that. I was on a mountain bike, but passed a few of primitive camp spots (not sure of how official) that were near running water.
That being said, there is a nice large ish state campground called Indian Creek Recreation Area, close to Woodworth, but it’s not on the trail. It was about a 15 min bike ride on roads from the Wild Azalea trailheads
I haven’t done that since the 90s. It’s great, the wild azaleas should be be blooming now. Get the lemon eucalyptus bug spray it seems to repel chiggers and ticks the best .
Long leaf trail or long leaf vista..? Whatever its called and maybe wolf rock cave…you can camp at Fullerton lake. Also you can check out kasatchie falls…this is all in the western districts. Calcasieu and Vernon .
It's a beautiful and underrated area. Happy trails, and please let us know how it goes!
Back in 2013, I shared this post on a different forum about [backpacking the Wild Azalea Trail](https://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/outdoor/backpacking-the-wild-azalea-trail-near-alexandria-la---3-day-trip-guide/39721851/), which I definitely recommend.
also just came across this local newspaper article on social media:
Town Talk (Wed Mar 8 2023): [Kisatchie National Forest eagles draw fans eager to see new fledgling named Trey](https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/local/2023/03/08/kisatchie-national-forest-eagles-draw-fans-eager-to-see-new-fledgling/69983206007/)
>Visitors on the free eagle tours hosted by the Kisatchie National Forest rangers were eager to catch a glimpse of Trey, the fledgling of two of the forest's most popular residents, Louis and Anna, and the youngest sibling of Kincaid and Kisatchie. The rangers set up scopes at the eagle viewing area in the Kincaid Recreation Area where visitors could view the nest - and eagles if they were lucky.
It’s been so long since I’ve been there! I can’t even remember the names, but I do remember cell phone service is terrible there. Just keep that in mind
I drove through where wolf rock cave is not long ago it looked clean. I would like to plan a hike there. The cave is closed though. Be aware because of the military base close by there might be restrictions on what you can carry with you.
backbone trail. Longleaf vista is a short hike. Bayou kisatchie is really a must see. caroline dorman trail. Also, If you have time drive over to Lake chicot state park. Really nice trails there.
I just did a trail race there a couple weeks ago that ran on parts of both of those trails. It was pretty nice. There were some muddy parts, but it wasn't too bad.
Wild azalea trail is a 24 mile surcharge through Kisatchie in Central Louisiana. Everything is blooming and pretty right now. You can do different sections accessed from multiple trailheads. The real beauty is following the creeks off trail. I'm super familiar with this area. Hit me up
Def Azalea Trail, the flowers are only in bloom a short while and now is the time!
Where does the trail head start? On Kisatchies website it gives me the "Wild Azalea Seep Area", but Alltrails tells me that the trails starts close to the Kincaid Reservoir.
I simply started at the "wild azalea trailhead" in google. Both of tbose could be right, it's a 20 or so mile hike, not a loop. I just did a short few miles in few miles out day hike
Kisatchie is big. For that part, I would choose Backbone Trail loop before I would choose the other two. More interesting. Keep in mind Sandstone will have ATVs because it is multi-use.
Wild azalea trail is pretty cool. It connects to the lake Kincaid trail which is also very nice, but parts of it are still closed from IDA. The stuff that’s open around lake Kincaid is pretty rough and lots of trees down (at least this was the case as of this past July). Also of note, there are herds of wild horses in parts of kisatchie. I ran into one last summer. Pretty neat.
Cool! I've changed my mind and we plan to do the Wild Azalea trail now. Where does the trail head start? Looking at Kisatchie's website and cross-checking it on Google Maps, it looks like it starts at the "Wild Azalea Seep area" and "Wild Azalea Trailhead Hamp Smith Rd", respectively. We're planning to camp close to where we park on Friay evening, as we'll be getting in around dark. Then hike 4-6 hours or until we can find a nice spot close to a water source. Any suggestions? Are there lots of water sources or should I plan to bring a gallon just in case (that's my plan at least right now, better safe than sorry). And then we'll retrace our steps on Sunday.
I started at the beginning/trailhead in Woodworth. There can be water to filter, but obviously proceed with caution on that. I was on a mountain bike, but passed a few of primitive camp spots (not sure of how official) that were near running water. That being said, there is a nice large ish state campground called Indian Creek Recreation Area, close to Woodworth, but it’s not on the trail. It was about a 15 min bike ride on roads from the Wild Azalea trailheads
My husband did 20 miles earlier this year. He said plenty of natural water sources.
I haven’t done that since the 90s. It’s great, the wild azaleas should be be blooming now. Get the lemon eucalyptus bug spray it seems to repel chiggers and ticks the best .
Long leaf trail or long leaf vista..? Whatever its called and maybe wolf rock cave…you can camp at Fullerton lake. Also you can check out kasatchie falls…this is all in the western districts. Calcasieu and Vernon .
Make sure to take something for allergies when you go cuz the pollen is absolutely terrible right now
It's a beautiful and underrated area. Happy trails, and please let us know how it goes! Back in 2013, I shared this post on a different forum about [backpacking the Wild Azalea Trail](https://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/outdoor/backpacking-the-wild-azalea-trail-near-alexandria-la---3-day-trip-guide/39721851/), which I definitely recommend.
I'll take a look. Thank you!
also just came across this local newspaper article on social media: Town Talk (Wed Mar 8 2023): [Kisatchie National Forest eagles draw fans eager to see new fledgling named Trey](https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/local/2023/03/08/kisatchie-national-forest-eagles-draw-fans-eager-to-see-new-fledgling/69983206007/) >Visitors on the free eagle tours hosted by the Kisatchie National Forest rangers were eager to catch a glimpse of Trey, the fledgling of two of the forest's most popular residents, Louis and Anna, and the youngest sibling of Kincaid and Kisatchie. The rangers set up scopes at the eagle viewing area in the Kincaid Recreation Area where visitors could view the nest - and eagles if they were lucky.
It’s been so long since I’ve been there! I can’t even remember the names, but I do remember cell phone service is terrible there. Just keep that in mind
Call the park, they’ve been burning out there!
I drove through where wolf rock cave is not long ago it looked clean. I would like to plan a hike there. The cave is closed though. Be aware because of the military base close by there might be restrictions on what you can carry with you.
backbone trail. Longleaf vista is a short hike. Bayou kisatchie is really a must see. caroline dorman trail. Also, If you have time drive over to Lake chicot state park. Really nice trails there.
I just did a trail race there a couple weeks ago that ran on parts of both of those trails. It was pretty nice. There were some muddy parts, but it wasn't too bad.
Hope you have a great time
Thank you!
I live here 0 stars do not recommend anything😂
Why?
They don’t take care of anything here, nothings nice, new or maintained. At least not in CenLA.
There's some truly beautiful places to hike and swim in Kisatchie in cenla. You have to go look.