The Small Town In Louisiana That Comes Alive In The Fall Season
By Jackie Ann|Published October 02, 2023
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
Fall is my favorite time of year, especially in Louisiana. I know we don’t see the beautiful fall foliage like our northern friends do, but Louisiana in the fall is stunning in its own way. For starters, you don’t have to deal with the skeeters! That alone is the perfect reason to be spending your fall weekends outside, and this small town in Louisiana is just the ticket for anyone looking to check out for a few days and surround themselves in a more natural setting. Today, we’re exploring the charming town of Bastrop, Louisiana. Let’s go:
Bastop, Louisiana is one of the best towns to escape to if you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway.
The population hovers just a hair shy of 10,000 residents, the perfect size for a small town. It’s conveniently located about 30 miles northeast of Monroe, so you’re not far away from big-city amenities should you want to pop over.
It’s also the oldest state park in the Louisiana State Parks system. It was established in 1935 and takes its name from a French translation of “High Road,” since a good chunk of the park is located on a bluff that overlooks Bayou Bartholomew.
The 503-acre state park has several miles of hiking, equestrian, and paddle trails to explore.
You can bring your own kayak or rent a canoe to the park to get to it. This isn't just any old cypress tree, it's one of the largest and oldest cypress trees in the country! It measures about 20 feet in diameter and is estimated to be 800-1000 years old!
The state park offers plenty of ways to stay, including RV sites, primitive campsites, and cabins.
