Adventure awaits you in Shreveport-Bossier! In this guide, we’ve compiled the best unique adventure that Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana offers you and your family. These are activities that stretch your comfort zone a little, teach you something special about Shreveport-Bossier, and ultimately create those long-lasting memories. If you’re traveling with young kids or teenagers, these activities will make you laugh, cry, scream, and smile together. There is no better way to bond as a family than exploring the great outdoors!
Red River Wildlife Refuge
Red River National Wildlife Refuge is made up of four units in the Red River Valley in northwestern Louisiana. It provides a good deal of different wildlife-based recreational opportunities. Discover more about Louisiana’s most beautiful and unique birds and wildlife that call the refuge home by enjoying the exhibits at the Visitor Center, walking the trails, or participating in hunting and fishing activities. There are over 5 miles of trails on the Headquarters Unit in Bossier City just minutes from I-20. Red River National Wildlife Refuge is located at 150 Eagle Bend Point, Bossier City, LA 71112.
Birding at Red River Wildlife Refuge
Walter B. Jacobs Nature Park
Explore this 1.8-mile loop trail near Blanchard, Louisiana. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 34 min to complete. This trail is great for birding, hiking, and running, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Located three miles west of Blanchard, the 160-acre nature park contains a pine-oak-hickory forest accessible by five miles of nature trails. The park has an interpretive building, a rentable pavilion with restrooms, a handicapped-accessible trail, and several naturalists who provide information and interpretation to park visitors. Nature oriented programs are available on an appointment basis. Walter B. Jacobs Nature Park is located at 8012 Par Rd 4, Shreveport, LA 71107.
American Rose Center
The spectacular Gardens of the American Rose Center, located on a 118-acre wooded tract in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is home to the national headquarters of the American Rose Society. It is the nation’s largest park dedicated to roses! The gardens were dedicated in 1974 when the American Rose Society headquarters moved to Shreveport, Louisiana from Columbus, Ohio. Today, the American Rose Center features more than 65 individual rose gardens and 20,000 rose bushes, with a variety of companion plants, sculptures and fountains. American Rose Center is located at 8877 Jefferson Paige Rd, Shreveport, LA 71119.
Petting Zoo at Gators and Friends
Gators & Friends
Gators & Friends is the largest adventure park in Northwest Louisiana with an estimated 150 Alligators and more. Spend the day taking a walk in the shade of the trees around the park and interact with more than 20 different types of exotic animals that you can feed, pet and experience. Relax and enjoy the sounds of the wild in a safe, clean environment dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the wild. It’s the perfect place to spend the day in nature! At Gators & Friends, guests can also zipline over a swamp filled gator habitat or speed around curves on Gator Raceway in high-performance Go-Karts. Don’t miss the chance to create memories that last a lifetime at Gators & Friends! Gators & Friends is located at 11441 US Hwy 80 Greenwood, LA 71033.
Clyde Fant Bike Trail
Experience this 11.1-mile out-and-back trail near Shreveport, Louisiana. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 3 h 19 min to complete. This trail is great for birding, road biking, and running, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. There are 4 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of Crockett Street at the northwest end of the trail. All of them are van-accessible with striped access aisles. The trail surface is paved (with partial railings). It is typically at least 4 feet wide (with many wider passing spaces). Located along the riverfront in Shreveport, LA.
Clyde Fant Bike Trail
Arthur Ray Teague Multi-Use Trail
Explore this 9.2-mile out-and-back trail near Bossier City, Louisiana. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 h 44 min to complete. This trail is great for road biking, running, and walking, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. The trail, named for the parkway it parallels, begins on Diamond Jacks Boulevard, and heads south in between the river and the road. It passes destinations like Brookshire’s Grocery Arena and Walker Place Park, making it valuable for both recreation and commuting. The wide paved portion of the trail concludes by the Red River National Wildlife Refuge boat launch (168 Cullom Dr). Starting from the southeast end of the trail, a smooth and straight concrete sidewalk leads to the driveway entrance for Parkway High School. Located along the riverfront in Bossier City, LA.
Caney Lakes Recreation Area
The Caney Lakes Recreation Complex has a variety of day use areas to choose from. Enjoy hiking on the Sugar Cane National Recreation Trail, swimming at the day-use swim beach, playing volleyball, fishing from the shore, or picnicking at the vast selection of picnic facilities. Visitors to this area can land their watercraft near picnic facilities to enable them to picnic while having a blast boating, water skiing, tubing, or jet skiing. The ski beach area is within easy access from the parking area at the boat launch. The Group-Use Facility has a private and gated entrance to a secluded group-use area on the upper shore of Lower Caney Lake. A large, grassy hillside is the backdrop with a beautiful sandy beach shoreline in the foreground. A large covered group picnic shelter with two large party barbecue pits is at the center of this secluded area with a park-like setting. Caney Lakes is located at 1163 Par Rd 116 Minden, LA 71055. For more information, call (318) 927-2061.
Cypress Black Bayou Park & Recreation Area
Located in Bossier Parish just nine miles north of Shreveport, Cypress Black Bayou Park & Recreation Area in northwest Louisiana is a reservoir that offers water skiing, boating, camping, cabins, fishing, a zoo, and other activities such as a beach for swimming and grills for picnics. Cypress Black Bayou Park & Recreation Area is located at 135 Cypress Park Dr, Benton, LA 71006.
Cypress Black Bayou Park & Recreation Area
Lake Bistineau State Park
Situated on the western shore of Lake Bistineau, this park offers a satisfying blend of beautiful vistas and outstanding recreational facilities. Memorable for its upland mixed hardwood forest, its open waters, and its enchanting stands of cypress and tupelo trees, the park offers two boat launches, hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, camping, cabins and excellent fishing! Lake Bistineau State Park is located at 103 State Park Rd, Doyline, LA 71023.
