Louisiana State Arboretum

Louisiana, United States

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The Louisiana State Arboretum, established in 1961 and located within Chicot State Park near Ville Platte, is the oldest state-supported arboretum in the United States and covers about 600 acres.

Its creation was influenced by naturalist Caroline Dormon and educator J.D. "Prof" LaFleur, who envisioned a place to educate people about the importance of native trees and plants. The arboretum is a mature beech-magnolia forest with centuries-old trees such as beech, magnolia, oak, and ash, along with ferns, hickories, maples, sycamores, and the rare crane fly orchid.

It features nearly six miles of hiking trails through varied topography including wooded hills and creek bottoms, offering an immersive nature experience. Visitors often see local wildlife like white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, and many bird species. 

The arboretum has a nature center with interactive exhibits to educate visitors about Louisiana's woodlands and serves as a peaceful outdoor classroom attracting botanists, students, and nature lovers. The site is carefully preserved to protect its plant and animal life and offers a unique natural retreat in Louisiana.