Explore Endless Outdoor Adventures in This Charming Louisiana Lake Town with Rolling Hills and Pine Forests

You can find a real slice of outdoor paradise amid the pine-coated rolling hills near a cypress-lined lake where a gorgeous little community of just 3,300 people awaits adventurous travelers. Farmerville, Louisiana, about an hour and a half northeast of Shreveport by car, is nestled up against beautiful Lake D’Arbonne, the centerpiece of this rural destination for visitors to Louisiana looking to find a true off-the-beaten-path place to spend a weekend, or a few days, immersed in a uniquely Louisiana retreat. In contrast to Louisiana’s oldest city, Natchitoches, which has the same European charm and culture of New Orleans, Farmerville is much more geared toward the outdoor pursuits available at its doorstep.

One of Louisiana’s oft-claimed nicknames is the Sportsman’s Paradise, and for those venturing to Farmerville during any time of the year, it would be a reasonable assumption that the widely used term of endearment originated in this north Louisiana hamlet. With its location on Lake D’Arbonne and its proximity to the D’Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge, the area is ideal for anglers and, during the appropriate season, hunters to chase their quarry. Scattered throughout the year are a number of fishing tournaments centered on Lake D’Arbonne, and, with its location on the western fringes of the Mississippi Flyway, the nearby wildlife refuge offers great fall waterfowl hunting. For paddlers and explorers, the Bayou D’Arbonne Recreation Area, just southeast of Farmerville, is a great place to experience quiet adventure through the cypress and hardwood bottoms of the area.

At 16,000 surface acres, Lake D’Arbonne is the largest man-made lake in Northern Louisiana. Created in 1960 when Bayou D’Arbonne was dammed to supply water for surrounding communities, the lake boasts excellent fishing for bass and panfish, and it’s particularly well-known for its outstanding crappie fishery. The 2024 Crappie Masters National Championship took place at Lake D’Arbonne, and numerous crappie-fishing events happen on the lake throughout the year. Unlike other prominent state waterways, like one of America’s largest swamp forests that offers endless recreation, Lake D’Arbonne boasts a lot of open water, which makes it easy to move around for boat-bound anglers.

While fishing is definitely the most abundant pursuit on Lake D’Arbonne, this beautiful impoundment is also home to Lake D’Arbonne State Park, which is situated just across the lake from Farmerville. Here, visitors can reserve a campsite or even a cabin near the lake and enjoy a rustic home base for hikers who can explore trails ranging from just half a mile to a full four miles in length. Fat-tire enthusiasts can enjoy several miles of trails, too. The park has its own disc-golf course, lighted tennis courts, and an on-site swimming pool that’s open from May through the end of July. Boat and canoe rentals are also available, and paddlers can venture into the cypress channels of the lake, where they can get up close to the park’s wildlife, particularly its birds — the park is listed as a prominent birding destination in the Birder’s Guide to Louisiana.