Saline Bayou is designated a National Scenic River and is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species. Its ecosystems range from higher-elevation pine forests to cypress-tupelo swamps. The bayou is believed to be home to more than 70 fish species. This natural attraction brings together diverse habitats and a rich variety of wildlife and plant life.
Saline Bayou: Explore nature on foot and on the water
Fishing and hunting are among the recreational activities at Saline Bayou, along with camping and hiking. The Saline Bayou Trail offers hikes along the river corridor. Those interested in boating or canoeing will find five boat launches along the corridor. Cloud Crossing Recreation Complex is right on the riverbank, with a launch and takeout point for boating or canoeing. These details distinguish between trails along the river and a specific place to start and end a boat or canoe trip.
Prairies and forest in Kisatchie National Forest
Kisatchie National Forest is Louisiana’s only national forest and covers more than 604,000 acres of public land. It offers visitors and residents of Winn Parish 355 miles of opportunities for hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle driving. The Winn Ranger District offers more than 29 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails.
Tancock Prairie Complex is also located in Kisatchie National Forest. It consists of numerous small prairie areas surrounded by mixed pine and hardwood forests. The prairie supports a wide variety of grasses and herbs, including species found only in prairies. Tancock Prairie is a wildflower viewing site, where wildflowers bloom from early March through December. Within the complex, Bear Creek Prairie is considered a relatively accessible example. When planning your nature outings, you can take into account both the blooming season and the difference between the small prairie areas and the surrounding forest.
Camping and marked trails
Gum Springs Campground and Picnic Area in Winn Parish offers camping. Gravel Creek flows through the grounds, and there are several marked hiking trails in the area. Gum Springs Campground has 16 campsites with grills and fire rings. This combination makes the site appealing to travelers who want to include camping and hiking in their plans; the trails and campsites described provide specific details to help with planning.
Gum Springs Horse Trail also offers a distinctive feature: it is wide enough for wagons. For longer route planning, the L&A Trail connects numerous places and villages from Winnfield in Winn Parish to Sibley in Webster Parish. These two details describe different options—a trail with room for wagons and a route connecting places and villages.
Political history in a historic depot
The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame is housed in the historic L & A Railroad Depot, dating to around 1905. Its collection includes thousands of items relating to Louisiana’s political history, from early state leaders to elected officials currently in office. A 1951 Chevrolet passenger car was added to the museum in 1998. The car originally belonged to Governor Earl K. Long and was used as a campaign vehicle in the 1950s. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday visits are available by appointment. Check the hours before your visit.
Getting here
U.S. Highways 84 and 167 run through Winn Parish. Highway 84 connects the parish to I-49, while Highway 167 connects it to I-20. These two connections offer a practical guide when planning your trip, without assuming a specific travel time.
Explore more destinations: Winnfield, St. Landry Parish, Lafourche Parish, Madison, Union, Jefferson, St. Bernard Parish, Webster.
Return to the main travel overview: Louisiana.
