The 6-Mile Port Hudson Trail Might Just Be The Most Enchanting Hike In Louisiana
By Jackie Ann|Published August 29, 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.
Louisiana has plenty of hiking trails, but a good chunk of them are three miles or less. There are longer trails in areas like the Kisatchie National Forest, but outside of that, you’ll find yourself taking the same trail twice to get your mileage in. If you’re looking for a longer hike that’s still relatively easy, consider this historic hiking trail in Louisiana. Clocking in at six miles, it’s definitely one of the longer trails in the area, plus you’ll get to explore a unique part of Louisiana’s history. Here’s what you need to know:
The Port Hudson State Historic Site is a National Historic Landmark located over in Jackson, Louisiana.
If you're serious about hiking, I'd recommend getting an AllTrails+ account. You'll unlock more features than a basic account, like downloading maps offline, live updates, and more.
The Fort Hudson siege was the longest siege in American History.
It lasted from May 23 through July 9, 1863. Another important fact about this battle area is that it’s the first place where African-American military units, the First and Third Louisiana Native Guards, fought for the Union Army. After the Union took control of the area, Port Hudson became a recruiting center for African-American troops.
The trail is well-maintained and accessible year-round, but this trail really comes alive in the fall, especially when the leaves begin to change.
