Louisiana's only National Forest. Its six distinct units stretch across bayous,
cypress hammocks, and highland pine forests. The first inhabitants
of the area were Caddo and
Natchez Indians. Kisatchie is a Caddo Indian word for "long cane". Fur
trappers and lumbermen followed acquisition of the territory by the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. The most intense logging occurred during the early
1900s which destroyed almost all the hardwoods and pine trees in
Kisatchie. A movement by local naturalists to preserve
the state's forests led to the establishment of Kisatchie National Forest
in 1930. Reforestation began soon afterward by the
Civilian Conservation Corp which has helped bring the
forest back to its original condition. Today there are
80 miles of trails through these forests that hikers
enjoy.
Most of the popular canoe waterways can be found on the 18
mile stretch of water belonging to the Saline Bayou
National Scenic River. Located just northeast of the
Kisatchie Bayou where the backcountry wilderness grows
unchecked.
There are 10 campgrounds within
Kisatchie with the 70 site Caney Lakes Campground
(northwest of Minden on Rt 159, 25 mi E of Shreveport)
perhaps the most scenic. Nestled in a beautiful wooded
area of pine and hardwoods along the lakeshore. A
preferred destination of dedicated bass anglers and
superb place for boating and fishing. The the larger of
the two lakes at Caney has 225 acres and allows water
skiing. The smaller 170 acre lake is restricted to canoes
and electric motors and is popular among fisherman.
Kisatchie Bayous Campground (80
mi SE of Shreveport) is also popular among canoeists. The
area is the starting point for canoe trips leading deep
into the remote stretches of the swamp. The water flows
slowly from Cloud Crossing Recreation Area (FR 513) south
to FR 588. The trip takes about five hours. Kisatchie
National Forest, 2500 Shreveport Highway, PO Box 5500,
Pineville, LA 71361-5500 (318) 473-7160. www.fs.fed.us/r8/kisatchie
Kisatchie Bayous Campground (80
mi SE of Shreveport) is also popular among canoeists. The
area is the starting point for canoe trips leading deep
into the remote stretches of the swamp. The water flows
slowly from Cloud Crossing Recreation Area (FR 513) south
to FR 588. The trip takes about five hours. Kisatchie
National Forest, 2500 Shreveport Highway, PO Box 5500,
Pineville, LA 71361-5500 (318) 473-7160. 