Discover When Leaves Change Color in Louisiana (and 9 Beautiful Places to See Them)

Whether you live in Louisiana or you’re visiting, this state has a short, yet beautiful fall season. As the leaves change and people take out their biggest gumbo pots, you’ll know that fall has arrived. 

If you want to witness the breathtaking autumnal colors that paint the foliage around the state, take a look at these top spots to witness the leaves change in Louisiana. 

When Do Leaves Change in Louisiana?

So when do the leaves in Louisiana shift to beautiful autumnal shades? In the northern part of the state, the beginning of October could be a great time to go leaf-peeping, but autumn in Louisiana typically appears a little later than usual. 

There may be a small amount of leaf change in northern Louisiana during the last week of October. When Louisiana begins to experience some cold fronts, your perseverance will pay off and it will be time to see the beautiful leaves. 

Although Louisiana’s southern region does have some fall foliage, northern Louisiana truly exceeds the southern portion of the state in terms of autumn colors. 

The Best Places to See Leaves Change in Louisiana 

1. Jimmie Davis State Park

Jimmie Davis State Park is a beautiful location to watch the wonders of fall as the Louisiana landscape transforms and transitions from vivid greens to magnificent yellows, oranges, and crimsons. It is a short drive from Shreveport, making it a great weekend getaway. 

The best way to see this spectacle is to walk the park’s rustic trail, which is covered in deep-red freshly fallen leaves. Throughout this season, the sunsets beyond Caney Creek Lake are magnificent.

2. Lake Martin Swamp

If you want to experience fall in a unique way, head to the Cypress Island Nature Preserve in Lake Martin. This place is located just outside of Breaux Bridge. As the name suggests, this location is in swampland, the area can look somewhat strange if you’re not from the area. 

Anyone can travel to one of the nearby marshes by car and then enjoy the region on foot or in a small boat. There is a visitor’s center on the property, which is currently operated by the Nature Conservancy, as well as a boardwalk that crosses the marsh.

3. University Lake Baton Rouge

If you live near Baton Rouge and don’t want to go too far, a quick excursion to University Lake would be appropriate. An easy way to experience the fall season with an element of the outdoors is to go on a trip around this lake, which is located in East Baton Rouge Parish, just a few miles from Baton Rouge. 

This lake was once a thick cypress-tupelo swamp, but in 1930 it underwent a transformation into an urban body of water and was joined to the nearby City Lake Park. The region around University Lake is gorgeous in autumn, and University Lake itself is magnificent.

4. Lafreniere Park Metairie

This 155-acre park, which is in Jefferson Parish, displays autumn in its entirety. The park is a terrific area for families to take advantage of the fall weather because it offers numerous attractions.

Lafreniere Park Metairie contains two play areas, a carousel, multi-use athletic fields, running trails, eight picnic areas, a 20-acre lagoon, and an 18-hole disc golf course. Overall, this is a wonderful location to experience the changing seasons and make certain you can amuse the whole family.

5. Kisatchie National Forest

The vast Kisatchie National Forest, which is less than two hours north of Lafayette, is well-known among hikers for its endless dirt trails and hillsides. This is the ideal location if your notion of fall is an opportunity to slow down and get a bit lost in the wilderness. 

We highly suggest camping in the area, as the stars shine bright over the Kisatchie National Forest. There are also horseback riding trails that wind through the forest; this is an amazing opportunity to ride underneath the trees and watch the leaves change hue. 

6. Chemin-A-Haut State Park in Bastrop

When autumn comes around and the color of the leaves start to transform at Chemin-A-Haut State Park, regarded as Louisiana’s most magical places, is when the majestic cypress trees that flank the water get their chance to shine.

Two straightforward, well-marked paths that circle the park in each direction are the Boy Scout Trail and the Bobcat Trail. Taking a walk on one of these hiking trails immerses you in the fall foliage. In order to see the hues of the waterways, rent a boat and spend the afternoon on the water.

7. North Toledo Bend State Park

Autumn is a beautiful time to visit North Toledo Bend State Park, which is located on the Toledo Bend Reservoir shoreline in eastern Louisiana. The trees are going to look exquisite in every direction. 

We think the best place to see the leaves here is right on the water. The shore is another incredible point of view. The height of the season usually occurs in November, when oak, hickory, and pine trees abruptly develop a deep crimson color. 

There are charming bungalows that you may rent for an entire weekend if you want to stay overnight. 

8. Lake Bistineau State Park

Northern Louisiana’s Lake Bistineau State Park, roughly a half-hour’s journey from Shreveport, is home to some of the area’s greatest sunsets. It’s difficult not to experience a sense of absolute appreciation as the sun paints the sky with colors as brightly colored as the surrounding foliage. 

There are five easy-to-follow paths in the park that take you into the forest. You’ll be entertained by the fauna, and it’s interesting to see the sunken trees that stick out of the water.

9. Lake Claiborne State Park

In Lake Claiborne in Homer, people like hiking frequently, especially in the autumn months when the weather is milder and the environment feels fresh! When tourists take a walk down the edge of the water and watch the sunset from a jetty, the area is peaceful.

The rivers seem to stop moving during the golden hour when the fallen leaves crush under your feet. To view the breathtaking fall foliage without being swamped by people, Lake Claiborne is a terrific location.

Types of Trees in Louisiana 

Although there is an abundance of nature throughout the state, what types of trees can you expect to see? Here are some of the most popular species in Louisiana. 

Bald Cypress. 

Bald cypress trees are seasonal coniferous trees that lose their needle-like leaves as the seasons change. This is strange because most conifers stay evergreen. They actually lose their leaves early enough in the fall that they are given the epithet “bald” cypress.

Their vivid orange, terracotta, and chestnut fall hues are truly a sight to be seen. Bald cypress trees thrive in moist environments near rivers and wetlands. They are widely planted as decorative trees and can also be found in dry places.

Live Oak

Evergreen oaks, commonly referred to as live oaks, are stunning and majestic trees typically used in residential areas. Because they do shed their leaves in the fall, they’re not true evergreens. 

The leaves of live oaks typically turn brown or red as the summer temperatures begin to drop.

Winged Elm

Another common tree to see throughout Louisiana is the Winged Elm. While the foliage typically stays within some shade of green, they do shift to yellow as fall begins. You can find this type of tree all around the state. 

Summary of The Best Places to See Leaves Change in Louisiana