Explore the north Louisiana lake country via these trails:

Northern Louisiana is known as Sportsman’s Paradise for many reasons, not the least of which are its beautiful lakes. The topography of this part of the state differs markedly from south Louisiana, and the change makes for a very different biking experience.

Lakes ranging from small to quite large are scattered across northern Louisiana, and many are located in public parks that allow for many different recreational activities.  The lakes lie amid the green, rolling hills which, in some areas, are quite steep relative to the rest of the state.

In northeastern Louisiana, you’ll want to visit the Bayou Bodcau Dam and Reservoir, which is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a multi-use project. The recreation area covers some 34,000 acres of public land, offering recreation ranging from hunting, fishing, camping and picnicking to hiking, canoeing, horseback riding and bird watching – not to mention an excellent mountain biking trail.

Also in this part of the state you will enjoy the activities and sightseeing in Lake Bistineau State Park. A truly beautiful setting on the western shore of Lake Bistineau, this park is a feast for the senses and offers a nice 10-mile trail for cyclists.

Close by you will find the Caney Lakes Recreation Area in the beautiful Kisatchie National Forest. The Sugar Cane National Recreation Trail runs right through the diverse ecosystems represented by this complex. Visitors can enjoy landscapes ranging from forested bottomlands to hillside pine groves to views of Upper and Lower Caney Lake.

At Lake Claiborne, near Homer, fishing and boating may be the most popular activities, though the 6,400-acre lake also has a sandy beach that attracts swimmers as well. The clear waters attract people for many types of recreation, not least of which is some vigorous biking through the hills and ravines surrounding the lake.

Farther to the east, near Farmerville, is the sprawling Lake d’Arbonne and its massive surrounding state park. Steep inclines and scenic beauty abound in the piney forests, while fishing and a host of water sports make for lots of activity on the lake.

Finally, a biking trip to north Louisiana would not be complete without a visit to Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston. The lake in this park is small, but the biking may be the best in the state. The 10-mile Lincoln Parish Park Trail is the most famous mountain bike route in Louisiana, and some bikers rank it among the top in the country.