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Impact - Louisiana State Museum
The Office of State Museum returns $6.99 for every tax dollar spent.

Source: The Impact of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism on Louisiana's Economy and Quality of Life for Louisiana's Citizens - June 2006

Hodges Gardens State Park - Louisiana Office of State Parks

TRAVEL ADVISORIES: Effective Monday, April 8, the equestrian trails at Hodges Gardens State Park will close to the public, for timber harvesting. The equestrian campground will remain available to overnight visitors during the closure. Two hiking-only trails, the Longleaf Pine Stump Trail and the Wild Azalea Trail, will remain open during the timber harvesting operations. A hiking and equestrian trail system on the north side of the park is being developed. Is it anticipated to open by late summer, after the trails have been properly marked and deemed safe for visitors.

Hodges Gardens State Park
PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism - Office of State Parks BACK TO PARK LIST
Hodges Gardens State Park Pink and white dogwoods in bloom, seen in early spring Flag Island cabin Pond in front of the gift shop Salvia coccinea Scarlet Sage, a burst of summer color Willow Point fountain
click any picture above to view park slideshow
1000 Hodges Loop, Florien, LA 71429
318-586-4020 or 800-354-3523 toll free
For reservations, call 1-877-CAMP-N-LA (877-226-7652) toll free.
Email: hodgesgardens@crt.la.gov

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National Center for Preservation Technology & Training's (NCPTT) WordPress blog on Hodges Gardens SP

Friends of Hodges Gardens State Park website

Directions: From I-20, take Hwy. 171 south. Hodges Gardens State Park is located approximately 14 miles south of Many. From I-10, take Hwy. 171 north. Hodges Gardens State Park is located approximately 20 miles north of Leesville. Coordinates: 31.381124,-93.417038.

Hours of Operation: Site is open daily. Gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and at 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.

April-September, entrance station is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; October-March, entrance station is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Entrance Fees: $5 per person; $4 for Seniors (62 and older) free for children age 3 and under.

Complete listing of available facilities and activities


View Larger Map (via GOOGLE© MAPS)


Click Map for Printable Version (PDF file)
Layout of Hodges Gardens State Park

Over 700 acres of wild and cultivated beauty, Hodges Gardens State Park, located in Sabine Parish, is a unique member of the State Parks system. Originally designed and opened to the public in 1956 by oil and gas businessman A.J. Hodges Sr., the site's gardens consist of a variety of plants and flowers, from a formal rose garden to bushes that colorful Southern standard, the azalea.

Visitors to the park can enjoy a stroll through the formal gardens, explore nature trails, boat on the lake and fish from the shore. And, after spending a day surrounding by cultivated and natural beauty, sit on the porch of one of the cabins and let the sound of crickets lull you to sleep. An equestrian campground also provides overnight facilities for visitors traveling the park's trails with their horses. This waterfall is part of a reclamation system that refreshes and recycles the water in the lake.

The Hodges recognized the potential of the abandoned quarry on the property and planned a scenic garden using the natural rock formations. Flowers were planted on one level above another, creating a terraced effect. Walkways and footbridges throughout the gardens allow the visitor to stroll through an abundance of flora. Water from a 225-acre lake, built in 1954, is pumped from the lake through the gardens to waterfalls, pools, a geyser, fountains and to the watering system before it is recycled back into the lake. The waterfalls and garden fountains operate daily from sunrise until sunset. *The Willow Point Fountain is down, due to needed repairs after a lightning strike damaged the fountain motor.

A testament to one family's contribution to the preservation of our land's natural beauty, Hodges Gardens was donated to the State by the A.J. and Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation in 2007.


Reservable Facilities

Cabins: Basic cookware, cooking utensils, dinnerware, silverware, towels and linens are provided. Bring your own food and personal supplies; group camp visitors will also need to bring their own dishes, silverware, paper products, bathroom tissue, towels and linens. (click here for facility layouts)
Standard Cabins9 available, 2 are ADA compliant$85/night, sleeps up to 4 people with a double bed and a queen sofa sleeper
Deluxe Cabins2 available$120/night, Oct-Mar; $150/night on Fridays & Saturdays, Apr-Sept, sleeps 6 people with 2 double beds and a queen sofa sleeper
Group Camp$250/nightIncludes dining hall, meeting room and 2 dormitory wings, sleeping up to 56 people

Camping:
20 equestrian campsites, with no hookups$12/night
9 Tent Campsites, with no hookups$12/night
Primitive camping area (maximum capacity of 50)$50 per night; reservations are by phone only.
America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes (formerly Golden Age & Golden Access Passports) (Available through the National Park Service. Click here for more information)
Holders of the Passes, whose state of residence also honors the America the Beautiful pass, are entitled to a 50% reduction on camping fees at Louisiana State Parks. (Passport holders are allowed one site per passport).

Additional Information About Overnight Facilities

Rental Boats (State Park operated rentals)
Due to concerns regarding invasive water-based plants, only site-rented boats are allowed on the lake.
Boats$20 per dayincludes electric trolling motor, paddles and life jackets
Canoes$5 per hour or
$20 per day
includes paddles, life jackets
Kayaks$5 per hour or
$30 per day
includes paddles, life jackets
  • Additional life jackets can be rented for $1 each where available
  • Price varies with concessionaire rentals - please contact site to check availability and rates

Trails at Hodges Gardens State Park:

  • Walking Trail - 5 mi.
  • White Horse Equestrian Trail - 2.7 mi.
  • South Lake Equestrian Trail - 1.62. mi.

  • Nearby Attractions:

    Emerald Hills Golf Resort – Located across the street from the entrance to the park, the resort offers an 18-hole championship golf course, overnight accommodations and a restaurant. Meeting and conference facilities are also available.

    North Toledo Bend State Park (9 miles southwest of Zwolle off LA 3229) - Located on Toledo Bend Reservoir, the park offers fishing, a boat launch, improved campsites, 10 vacation cabins, group camp facilities, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, picnicking, pavilion, playgrounds, trails and a conference center.

    Fort Jesup State Historic Site (6 miles east of Many off LA 6, formerly the "San Antonio Trace") - The site of a fort established in 1822 by Zachary Taylor to secure the western border of the U.S. frontier. It features the original field kitchen, a replica of officers' quarters which serves as a museum and visitors center, and interpretive programs.

    Mansfield State Historic Site (4 miles south of Mansfield on LA 175) - The site of the last major Confederate victory of the Civil War. Visitors may take daily tours, see interpretive programs, spend time in the museum with its comprehensive collection of Civil War artifacts, and walk the trail through the battlefield area.

    Rebel State Historic Site (3 miles northwest of Marthaville on State Hwy. 1221, and 25 miles west of Natchitoches and I-49) - Features the gravesite of an unknown Confederate soldier and is home of the Louisiana Country Music Museum. An amphitheater offers concerts featuring gospel, country and folk music.

    Cypress Bend Golf Resort (13 miles west of Many) – Offers an 18-hole Audubon Golf Trail championship golf course, as well as luxurious accommodations and fine dining. Meeting and conference facilities are also available.

    South Toledo Bend State Park (16 miles west of Anacoco, off LA Hwy. 191) - Set on the scenic bluffs of the southern end of the Toledo Bend Reservoir, the park offers cabins, campsites, a visitor center with meeting room facilities and a paved nature trail. A boat launch provides a route to some of the best fishing in the nation.

    Los Adaes State Historic Site (1 mile northeast of Robeline on LA Hwy. 485) - The 14-acre site located on the "El Camino Real" near Natchitoches features the remains of a Spanish fort built in the 1700s to protect Texas from the French. It is a major archaeological site and offers interpretive programs.

    Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site (155 rue Jefferson, Natchitoches) - Located on the banks of historic Cane River, the fort is a full-scale replica of a French colonial fort built in the 1730s. Featured are log walls sharpened to protect the barracks, a warehouse, chapel, mess hall, powder magazine, Indian dwellings and interpretive programs.

    Historic Town of Natchitoches (off I-49 on Cane River Lake) - The oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, it has a 33-block Historic Landmark District featuring Creole architecture, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, shops and historic homes.

    Cane River Country (South of Natchitoches along LA 1) - Features some of the South's oldest plantation homes situated along the 32-mile oxbow-shaped Cane River Lake. The countryside is dotted with pecan orchards, cotton farms, historic landmarks, plantations and churches.

    Sabine Wildlife Refuge (5 miles south of Zwolle) - This 14,780-acre area of loblolly and short leaf pine is open to visitors to enjoy hunting, birding and camping.

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