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Louisiana boasts a remarkable variety of natural landscapes. Everything from swampy bayous to pine forests, massive lakes, and winding rivers can be found here. Pineville, located in the heart of Louisiana, is the perfect representation of this diversity. Its position along Buhlow Lake and the Red River makes it the ideal destination for a day on the water, while its proximity to national forests and wildlife refuges promises an adventure for hikers and birdwatchers. Home to just 14,000 residents, it also has the advantage of being less crowded than many of the other tourist hotspots in the state. However you enjoy spending time outdoors, you will find the perfect weekend in Pineville.

Parks & Green Spaces

Lying among rivers, lakes, and forests, Pineville鈥檚 parks and green spaces are some of the region鈥檚 best. Situated between the Red River and Buhlow Lake, the Fort Buhlow Recreation Area is a popular spot for a laid-back afternoon. The park offers numerous amenities, including a boat dock, a three-lane boat launch, a ballfield, a picnic area, golf courses, and hiking trails. It also features two well-maintained wooded disc golf courses, which have hosted important tournaments like the Red River Rendezvous Tournament and the Louisiana State Disc Golf Championship. Those who enjoy bass fishing can perch themselves along the Red River in the recreational area as well.

Families who are planning to visit Pineville in the summer months can add Kees Park to their itinerary. This park, located in the heart of town, is home to a refreshing splash pad that opens seasonally to provide a bit of relief from the heat. If you prefer to spend your vacation golfing, the Links on the Bayou Course, in the neighboring town of Alexandria, is a must. Rated as 鈥淟ouisiana's #1 Municipal Golf Course鈥� by Golf Digest, this 18-hole course features a chipping green, putting green, and driving range. It can be easily navigated on foot or by cart. Because of the course鈥檚 quality, Links on the Bayou has a history of hosting various tournaments and championships, including the City鈥檚 Championship event.

Hiking & Walking Trails

Pineville residents are fortunate to have the Kisatchie National Forest just about 40 minutes southwest of town. This forest, which spans over 600,000 acres, consists of gorgeous piney hills and offers more than 100 miles of trails to explore by hiking, biking, or horseback riding. In the forest district that is nearest to Pineville, there are multiple trails that travelers can choose from. The Claiborne Multiple-Use Trail is a good option, spanning over 70 miles in total and offering trails that wind through river swamps and upland pine forests. Hikers who enjoy beautiful lake views will appreciate Valentine Lake Loop Trail, which stretches along the northern shores of Valentine Lake before passing through swampy creek ecosystems, and hilly upland pines. Travelers also may be able to spot diverse plant species and wildflowers along the trail, depending on the time of year.

Those who are interested in Civil War history should make sure to visit the Forts Randolph & Buhlow State Historic Site. This historic site features earthen forts that were once used by the Confederate army in the 1860s in an attempt to hold off Union forces. There are three boardwalk trails, each a quarter of a mile, that weave through the area, allowing visitors to see this 19th-century history up close. In addition to the forts, the historic site contains the remnants of Bailey鈥檚 Dam, a major engineering feat built by Union soldiers to navigate the Red River's rapids during their escape.

Water-Based Recreation

Lake Buhlow, just south of Fort Buhlow, is a great spot to visit after exploring the fort. This lake, spanning 282 acres, is a popular place in the region for various water activities, including fishing, boating, and racing. For nearly 60 years, the lake has been a prime destination for powerboat racing, known for its shallow waters and low winds that create a fast, flat course. Many 海角社区 speed records have been set here, giving it the name as the 鈥淔astest lake in the USA.鈥�

Besides Buhlow Lake, there are more than 10 lakes that travelers can visit in the surrounding areas. The Indian Creek Recreation Area, about a half-hour drive from Pineville, is well worth the trip. This area, which is part of the Alexander State Forest, covers 2,600 acres and features a lake for swimming and boating. From the lake鈥檚 shores, travelers can also go fishing for species like panfish and small perch. If you are interested in paddling on the lake鈥檚 waters but don鈥檛 have your own kayak or canoe, the park offers rentals as well.

Wildlife & Birdwatching

Pineville has two wildlife refuges in the surrounding area worth a visit. While both require a bit of a drive, the diversity of wildlife makes the trip worthwhile. The first, Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge, is about a 40-mile drive southeast of town and was founded in 1989 to protect the area鈥檚 waterfowl. The Central and Mississippi flyways both influence the diversity of species found in the refuge, along with the expansive, shallow wetlands that many species call home. The green-winged teal, Northern pintail, wood duck, and mallard are the most dominant species in the area. During the fall and winter months, visitors also may spot blue wing teals, gadwalls, northern shovelers, and American wigeons. The bayous and scattered forests also attract a range of amphibians, mammals, reptiles, and fish.

Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge lies a bit further east than Grand Cote and is about an hour鈥檚 drive from Pineville. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established this refuge in 2000 to conserve and restore the habitat for the region鈥檚 migratory species and endangered species. Consisting of 17,500 acres, some of the habitats found in the area include bottomland forests and swamps, lakes, wetlands, reforestation, and cropland. Some of the species you may spot during your time at Lake Ophelia include little blue herons, barred owls, night herons, and white-tailed deer.

A Tranquil Escape for Nature Lovers

While there are many places to go in Louisiana, a trip to Pineville offers something particularly quiet and laid back. Whether you intend to spend your vacation boating Lake Buhlow, golfing at one of the top courses in Louisiana, or hiking among the remains of a historic fort, this small town somehow seems to offer it all. So don鈥檛 be afraid to venture somewhere new this year and start planning your trip to Pineville!