Sabine River and Toro Bayou Canoe and Kayaking
With more than five notable bodies of water, Anacoco Lake, Toledo Bend Lake, Vernon Lake, Sabine River, and Toro Bayou, Vernon Parish provides ample opportunities for boating, tubing, and canoeing, kayaking, and, yes, abundant fishing! Our mild temperatures year-round mean you can fish just about any time of year. Motor or paddle the serene, sun-speckled waters of Vernon Parish. Fish for bass and land that lunker you’ve dreamed of catching!
Tack-A-Paw Expeditions
Operator offering tours. Located on Toro Bayou, 22 miles from Leesville, Louisiana, and 2 miles from Toledo Bend Dam on Hwy 392. Servicing over 70 miles of rivers and streams in Louisiana, as well as the southern end of Toledo Bend Reservoir, they offer a variety of float trips ranging from 2 hours to several days of canoe camping. Trips can be arranged for beginning canoeists, intermediate or experts out for an adventure.
The Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest encompasses 85,000 acres with several developed recreation complexes and more than 52 miles of trails through pine and hardwood forests over a carpet of bluestem grass.
You can still see the ruins of Fullerton, once the booming sawmill town of the Gulf Lumber Company, at the Fullerton Recreation Site where you can enjoy picnicking, hiking, birding, camping, fishing and non-motorized boating.
Little Cypress features a 3-acre spring-fed pond surrounded by cypress and various hardwoods and is encircled by the 1/2 mile Ol' Sarge Interpretive Trail. A well-maintained playground and covered pavilion with grills make this site perfect for picnicking and group outings.
A wildlife viewing structure at the Blue Hole Recreation Complex offers visitors an opportunity to sit in shaded comfort while viewing wildlife at its most primitive. Government Pond Recreation Area has camping facilities with nearby horseback riding trails.
Wolf Rock Cave
Wolf Rock is located in the Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest. Archaeological evidence shows that primitive peoples once used the cave as a habitation. Access to the area is very primitive, so visitors should dress appropriately for walking in the forest. For more information visit Kisatchie Work Center, 1992 Hwy 10, Leesville LA.
The Museum of West Louisiana
Housed in the historic Leesville KCS Depot building. From 1916 until 1968, the Kansas City Southern railroad served as a primary travel and transportation center for the city of Leesville and all of the surrounding area, but eventually, rail travel declined and the building fell into a state of disrepair.
On October 25, 1984, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and by 1986 had been fully restored to serve as a storehouse of artifacts illustrating the history, culture, and resources of Vernon Parish and the West Central area of the Louisiana Territory.
Pioneer Park, located on the southern end of the museum property, is available for picnics, cookouts, special events, or just sitting and relaxing. The site also houses P.O.W. Paintings, a group of scenes painted on the walls of a local hotel by German prisoners of war during World War II.
Llano Colony Museum
The New Llano Cooperative Colony was founded in 1917 by Job Harriman. It was located two miles south of Leesville on 20,000 acres of cut-over land. Members paid $2000 and were given a job. In return, they received a home and their share of food. The people were self-sufficient, farming the land and operating various manufacturing and specialty businesses. They had their own school, infirmary, hospital, and recreational facilities. The colony was closed in 1937.
Golf Course
From a beautiful, municipal golf course, to the challenges of Warrior Hills Golf Course, and even mini-golf just for fun, exchange the wilds of the hiking trail for the wilds of the sand dune on the gorgeous green spaces in Vernon Parish.
Talbert-Pierson Cemetery
The Talbert-Pierson Cemetery is next to Pine Grove Methodist Church. The cemetery contains some unusual wooden grave houses. The origins of grave houses are uncertain. Many believe that it began as a means of protecting the graves before cemeteries were commonly fenced. Special trees were cut from the nearby woods then carved into uniquely designed pickets, which were then constructed into sheds complete with metal roofs. Although modern burial practices have made this unnecessary, some families continue the tradition today. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Fort Polk Military & Heritage Museum
The Fort Polk Military Museum is housed in a new 3600-square-foot facility with objects and historical artifacts relating to Fort Polk history, including uniforms, equipment, weapons, training aids and more to help visitors understand the role that Fort Polk has played in preparing the Army for war. In addition, a portion of the museum highlights the "Heritage Families" who suffered considerable hardship when they were displaced from their homes to make room for the Army community.
Two separate Audubon Sites for Birding
There are ample opportunities for birding throughout Vernon Parish, Louisiana's Legend Country. Kisatchie National Forest beckons, and water birds are abundant at our many lake and bayou habitats. Birding tours can also be set up with local operators - check the location listings and bring along your binoculars! Make sure to also download our birding guide to help plan your adventure!
Hiking and Fishing opportunities abound
Beautiful trails and parks will beckon you to stay awhile in the great outdoors. Lovely, shady spots provide options for picnics and play, and hiking trails including those throughout the Kisatchie National Forest, including Wolf Rock!
Lions Camp for Crippled Children
