Attractions in Beauregard, Vernon & Allen Parishes

Beauregard Parish

Attractions

Discover the real Louisiana, with its small-town museums, fabulous festivals, outdoor recreational opportunities, centuries of history, culture, stories and legends, and the people that make it all come alive.

Along with these historic and natural treasures, the outdoor recreation throughout the area is as legendary as the stories. Geocaching, hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and biking along beautiful wilderness trails is an adventure worth taking. Waterways are plentiful for boating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Local outfitters can provide your needs for equipment and guides if needed.

Allen Parish Farmers Market Myths & Legends Byway

Allen Parish Farmers Market

Farmers Market held from 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m.

Allen Parish Farmers Market

228 W. 6th Ave.

70655 Oberlin , LA

Atakapa Coushatta Trace Visitors Center

Travelers stopping in will be delighted to find a rare colection of Atakapa Indians artifacts located at this site. This collection has recently be added along with the Myths and Legends Byway Kiosk depicting the life of the Atakapa people.

This site is equipped with a rest room/shower house, picnic tables and a primitive campsite area, also features a wildflower meadow directly behind the welcome center.

Atakapa Coushatta Trace Visitors Center

703 N. Bryan Street

70653 Merryville , LA

Bundick Lake

Bundick Lake is a reservoir teaming with all sorts of things to do. You can live like the pioneers! One of my favorite things to do is go fishing in the early morning in my pirogue—which is a Cajun style canoe. You can catch all kinds of goodies like catfish, bass, and perch. Good eatin’! I don’t mean to blow, but I caught a huge catfish the last time I was out there. I blackened it and in true pioneer style, threw it in a cast iron skillet over an open fire.

Nah, one thing you have to watch out for in the lakes around here are the Caimons. You know what they are – huge, scaly reptiles with massive teeth. You might know them as alligators. There’s no bigger blowhard and bait thief than the Caimon. But beyond the fishing and alligators, you can go for a swim or even try to spot one of the bald eagles that have made this lake their home. I recommend pitching a tent and experiencing the grand wilderness and everything else Bundick Lake has to offer.

Burr Ferry Civil War Breastworks Myths & Legends Byway

Burr Ferry Civil War Breastworks

The tiny community of Burr Ferry has a real interesting history. For example, there was, believe it or not, a real ferry that traveled right across the Sabine River. You see, the main thing that makes Burr Ferry so darn unique is the breastworks site. During the Civil War, a whole bunch of trenches and breastworks were put up after the poor city of Alexandria, LA was burned to a crisp.

The Burr Ferry breastworks were built back in 1864 when Union troops wanted to pass through Louisiana to Texas. To prepare for this invasion, the breastworks were created. It remains the only known surviving example of “tetes de pont” or “head of bridge,” a design element for defending roads leading to river crossings. These fortifications allowed local civilians to pass through the center, but could be blocked quickly if the enemy were spotted. Take your time and explore the area. You’ll find it well worth the time.

Burr Ferry Confederate Breastworks

Hwy. 8

70639 Ferry , LA

CM Farms

Handsome young Archer Clark Redmond Turner was reported to have been standing not ten feet away from General Robert E. Lee at the surrender ceremony ending the Civil War. The young soldier returned home to his family in Calcasieu Parish, where he married neighbor (and possible childhood friend) Jane Gill. They built a home near Archy’s parents’ house, likely on land owned by Stephen and Mary Turner. This is the home where they raised children and farmed.

Current day CM Farms is located over there in Dry Creek, Louisiana, ‘bout 20 miles south of DeRidder and definitely worth packin’ your plunder and headin’ down to see rows and rows of beautiful farmland. Go on and play in the bull wagon or turn back the clock and visit the historic Turner farm house. There ain’t no shortage of things to do out here!

No one knows a good challenge like a pioneer. CM Farms offers one that any pioneer-in-training can master– the corn maze. Imagine a 12-acre labyrinth of twists, turns, and dead ends all made from giant walls of corn stalks. People come from miles around to experience this remarkable landmark.

CM Farms

200 John Broussard Rd.

70637 Dry Creek , LA

DeRidder Farmers Market Myths & Legends Byway

DeRidder Farmers Market

Come out to the Downtown DeRidder Farmers Market, M-Sa from 8am-5pm (weather permitting) for farm fresh produce as well as crafts, honey, jams and jellies!

McConathy Market

100 N. Washington Avenue

70634 DeRidder , LA

Gothic Jail- Beauregard Parish Louisiana

Gothic Jail

Now, this is a real spooky place to visit, seein’ as how people believe it’s haunted and all. There’s a heap of rumors, but the main one is that the ghost of an old jailer stands on the front porch, smoking his pipe and drinking coffee in his blue jean overalls and white-bibbed shirt.

Besides the rumors, the jail is known for its unique design. At one time, it held more than 50 prisoners, included a jailer’s quarters, as well as a tunnel leading from the courthouse to the jail that was used to transport prisoners for trial. The jail was closed in 1984, but it earned its nickname when two men were hanged for the murder of a taxi driver in 1926.

The Gothic Jail – aka The Hanging Jail – is a true legend! It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been featured on The Travel Channel.

Gothic Jail

301 W. 1st Street

70634 DeRidder , LA

Kisatchie National Forest

Kisatchie National Forest has more than 604,000 acres. That there’s a whole heap of explorin’ to do! Let’s see, we got the bayous, the bald cypress groves and old growth pines you gotta see. Oh, and you bet there’s a bunch of ways to explore ‘em, too. I tend to lean toward saddlin’ up and goin’ horseback, but heck, you can bike, hike or canoe your way through this magical place.

The Vernon Parish part of the Kisatchie National Forest has Fullerton Lake, Enduro Trailhead Camp and Hunter’s Camp. At Fullerton Lake, you can set out on your pirogue or canoe and enjoy some fishing or bird watching. Hike amongst the pines and cypress of the Enduro Trailhead, home of the Louisiana Black Bear and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.

Koasatti Pines and Coushatta Casino Resort

Koasatti Pines and Coushatta Casino Resort

If you head on over to Kinder, you might stumble onto Coushatta Casino Resort, right near Koasatti Pines. I’m always bendin’ an elbow and betting some dinero down there, so that’s where you’ll find me. We pioneers don’t care a continental about following the rules; we just want to be flush as a thoroughbred.

Within the Coushatta Casino Resort property, in the Wetlands of Cajun country, is the beautiful Koasatti Pines. With acres upon acres of green space and grand lakes, it’s some of the best golfing that Allen Parish has to offer and is one of five golf courses in the tri-parish area. This luxurious resort is one of the biggest attractions in Allen Parish.

Koasatti Pines and Coushatta Casino Resort

777 Coushatta Dr.

70648 Kinder , LA

Leatherwood Museum - Allen Parish Louisiana

Leatherwood Museum

Step back in time and take a gander at some genuine pieces of Allen Parish history from the good ol’ pioneerin’ days. There’s a whole heap of real fine treasures in this place now, but ‘fore it was a fancy museum, it was a hospital, boarding house, and even a family home.

The house was built in 1888. Its exhibits include period furniture from the turn of the century, a matching set of tiger oak bed and dresser, a doll collection, military room featuring the War Maneuvers, an agriculture exhibit, and a walking stick made from a tree from President Jackson’s Hermitage Farm in Tennessee. Be sure to check out the Louisiana native wildlife habitat exhibit. Check your knowledge with the paw print matching game.

Leatherwood Museum

202 E. 7th Avenue

71463 Oakdale , LA

Lois Lofton Doll Museum and Rural Free Delivery Fresco

Lois Loftin Doll Museum and Rural Free Delivery Fresco

The Lois Loftin Doll Museum and the Rural Free Delivery Fresco are something you gotta see if you’re passin’ through Beauregard Parish. They’re located together in the 1934 DeRidder Post office . These folks, Lois and Albert Loftin collected more than 3,000 dolls! In Cajun French, we call ‘em “bebelles.” Now, don’t be confusing “bebelles” with “bebettes,” which are them itty bitty critters. No one wants to see those vermin. This museum of beaucoup “bebelles” is located at 204 W. 1st St in the Old Post Office.

To learn all about this section of the tri-parish area, head downtown to the Beauregard Parish Museum. You see, these museum is an old train depot because this was an important area for the railway. Now, there isn’t any major railway through here anymore, but it used to be dreadfully busy parts with trains. The railway went all the way from Kansas City down to Port Arthur

Lois Lofton Doll and Tall Timbers Museums

204 W. First St. "Old Post Office"

70634 DeRidder , LA

Museum of the New Llano Colony - Vernon Parish Louisiana

Museum of the New Llano Colony

Don’t ya’ wish you could be livin’ someplace absolutely perfect and peaceful? Well, the folks of New Llano Colony surely tried to make themselves a utopia way back in their time. Down at the Museum of the New Llano Colony, you can get educated on them early settlers and all their ideas they had about creating a calm community.

These colonists created several new enterprises in Western Louisiana, including rice farming, a veneer plant, and a grist mill. These early 20th century innovators were thriving and expanding at a rapid rate until The Great Depression hit, causing their economy and way of life to crumble.

Museum of the New Llano Colony

211 Stanton St

71461 New Llano , LA

Old Campground Cemetery and Nature Walk - Beauregard Parish Louisiana

Old Campground: A Waypoint Through the Years

Flat and shady, Old Campground was a natural place for any feller or lady to camp before or after crossing the stream. Coushatta traded here and Texans rested here during their cattle drives. Old Campground was just right for a meetin’ seein’ as how it was real shady, had water just a’flowin’ from Sugar Creek, and had a bunch o’ room for folks to gather. All the tents outlined the whole campground, and food, wagons, and livestock were stored behind ‘em ‘round the outside.

Old Campground is the oldest documented cemetery in southwestern Louisiana. Over the years, supporters have kept the cemetery in shape, even adding a replica of an early church and a 10-acre wildlife refuge that is home to the endangered red-headed woodpecker.

Old Campground Cemetery and Nature Walk

309 Old Campground Road

70637 Dry Creek , LA

Ouiska Chitto Myths & Legends Byway

Ouiska Chitto Creek

This here creek goes plum through all three parishes of the Myths & Legends Byway! The Ouiska Chitto Creek is surrounded by South Louisiana wild animals like deer, turkeys, and ‘coons. The land is absolutely thriving with forest and hills. The fishing in the creek is boss, too! I love to fry me up some fresh bass straight from the Ouiska Chitto.

Equip yourself with a canoe and explore this unique waterway as you enjoy the sights and smells of the flowers and the pine trees. Set up a tent and sleep under the stars, enjoy the sounds of nature, and cook your food over an open fire.

Sabine River

The mighty Sabine River is more than 500 miles of magnificent scenery and wildlife. The good ol’ Sabine, which is Spanish for “cypress,” runs right on down the Louisiana -Texas border and straight into the Gulf of Mexico. Back in the day, Indians and early explorers used the river to travel throughout the region and there’s even talk of the famous Jean Lafitte and his pirates used the river to hide treasure, but that may be scuttlebutt.

Grab a boat and explore the banks of this beautiful landmark, from top to bottom. Whether you like to fish and waterski or just cruise and enjoy the view, the Sabine River is one of the things that make this area so unique.

Sugartown Watermelon Stand - Beauregard Parish Louisiana

Sugartown Watermelon Stand

We are open during the summer months only. The stand is located at the intersection of highway 112 and 113 in Sugartown Louisiana.

Stop by and get your delicious home grown watermelon.

Sugartown Watermelon Stand

200 Old School Road

70662 Sugartown , LA

Talbert-Pierson Cemetery

Talbert-Pierson Cemetery

These here spooky grave shelters were put up by the Talbert and Pierson families, some ace-high pioneers who first settled down here way back in the 1860s. Thirteen graves were covered with them unique grave houses, which were a part of the Upland south tradition and included decorating graves with some truly pretty shells.

Talbot-Pierson Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Adjacent to the cemetery is Pine Grove Methodist Church established on April 10, 1887 as part of the Sugartown circuit.

This here is really somethin’ to see.

Grave Houses of Talbert-Pierson Cemetery

Victor Martin Road

70662 Pitkin , LA

Logs from Louisiana Timber Museum

Timber Museum

Timber Museum

102 S. Washington Street

70634 DeRidder , LA

Vernon Parish Farmers Market Myths & Legends Byway

Vernon Parish Farmers Market

Find farm-fresh goodies on Main Street!

Open Thursdays 3:00p.m.-6:00p.m.

Saturdays 8:00am-1:00p.m.

Follow Leesville Main Street for more information.

3rd Street Market

201 S 3rd. St,.

71446 Leesville , LA

Louisiana Myths and Legends Wall of Honor

Wall of Honor

The Wall of Honor is an expanding exhibit, currently containing 168 portraits drawn in graphite by a local artist of Allen Parish Veterans, depicting Veterans dating back to the Civil War. Please visit and honor the men and women from Allen Parish who served our country.

Wall of Honor at Allen Parish Welcome Center

12855 Hwy 165

71463 Kinder , LA

Wolf Rock Cave Kistatchie Forest Myths & Legends Byway

Wolf Rock Cave at Kisatchie National Forest

Wolf Rock Cave is the only known cave structure used as a shelter by ancient inhabitants. Click for additional special places in Kisatchie National Forest.

Wolf Rock Cave at Kisatchie National Forest

9912 Highway 28

71409 West Boyce , LA