The Best Hiking Trails Near Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge is just 45 minutes away from Camp Margaritaville Breaux Bridge and offers a variety of hiking trails for all levels of expertise. Whether you're staying at our Camp-Resort for a week or weekend, or just passing through Baton Rouge, we recommend checking out one of the many hiking trails this city has to offer. Keep reading for beginner and moderate hiking trails near Baton Rouge to find one that's perfect for you!

Palmetto Trail: Beginner - 0.6 Miles

Need a quick, outdoor escape? Explore this 0.6-mile out-and-back trail near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, located only an hour away from Camp Margaritaville Breaux Bridge. The Palmetto Trail is very mild and beginners enjoy this walk. On average, it takes around 11 minutes to complete. This trail is great for hiking and walking while exploring the LSU Botanical Gardens. Enjoy this Baton Rouge hiking trail year-round. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Bluebonnet Swamp Trail: Beginner - 1.1 Miles

Enjoy this 1.1-mile loop Louisiana hiking trail near Baton Rouge. The Bluebonnet Swamp Trail is considered an easy route and takes an average of 22 min to complete. This trail is great for running and walking through the trees alongside some of Louisiana’s swamps. The Baton Rouge hiking trail is an hour away from our campground and does have an admission fee and has varying hours of operation. 

Capitol Lake Shore Trail: Beginner - 1.5 Miles

Capitol Lake Shore Trail is a beautiful 1.5-mile out-and-back trail near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Plus, it is only a 45 minute drive from Camp Margaritaville. This walk takes around 28 minutes to complete and is considered easy. People enjoy using this trail for birding, road biking, and running. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime due to the scenic lake throughout the walk. The Louisiana trail is completely paved and allows leashed dogs. 

Hardwood Forest Loop Trail: Beginner - 2.1 Miles

Head out on this 2.1-mile loop trail near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Hardwood Forest Loop Trail is generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 38 minutes to complete. This is a popular trail, rated 4.3 stars, is a little over an hour away from our campground. People enjoy the trail for birding, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The Louisiana hiking trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at our campground because dogs are not allowed on this trail.

Scotlandville Parkway Path: Beginner - 2.1 Miles

Try this 2.1-mile loop Louisiana trail near Baton Rouge, a little under an hour away from Camp Margaritaville. The Scotlandville Parkway Path takes an average of 39 min to complete. This trail is great for road biking, running, and walking. As you walk over a small bridge, you can discover a creek that runs alongside a portion of the path. The trail does allow leashed dogs to explore with you.

Barton Arboretum Loop: Beginner - 2.3 Miles

The Barton Arboretum Loop is a 2.3-mile loop trail near Baton Rouge, Louisiana and generally takes around 40 minutes to complete. It is only an hour away from our campground and is perfect for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The garden-like trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

University Lake Trail: Beginner - 2.5 Miles

Get the best of both worlds and take a 2.5 mile walk around University Lake after touring LSU. This out-and-back Louisiana trail is located near Baton Rouge and LSU. This beginner level route takes an average of 44 min to complete and is only a 45 minute drive from Camp Margaritaville. This trail is great for road biking and walking as the majority of it is very flat. Leashed dogs are permitted on this trail. 

Bayou Fountain Paddle: Beginner - 3.6 Miles

Immerse yourself within the trees and discover the Bayou Fountain Paddle, a 3.6-mile out-and-back trail near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This Louisiana trail is great for birding and paddle sports. Rated at 4.5 stars, you can experience small creeks, beautiful trees, and a couple of small bridges. Plus, it is just under an hour away from our campground. 

Comite Park Loop: Moderate - 4.9 Miles

The Comite Park Loop is known for its thrilling mountain bike trail. Enjoy this 4.9-mile loop trail near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, only an hour away from Camp Margaritaville. This route is generally considered moderately challenging. There are rocky obstacles that create a fun and exciting challenge.This is a very popular area for mountain biking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. You'll need to leave pups at home as dogs aren't allowed on this trail.

Levee Trail: Moderate - 12.0 Miles

Need to escape for a couple hours? Enjoy this 12.0-mile point-to-point trail near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Though the Levee Trail is generally considered a moderate route, make sure to give yourself plenty of time as on average it takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete. This is a popular trail for road biking, running, and walking due to its long, paved surface and is rated at 4.5 stars. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Leashed dogs are permitted on this trail. 

What are you waiting for?! It's time to explore one, multiple, or all of these Baton Rouge hiking trails to top off your family getaway. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, plenty of water, and snacks!