Acadiana Park Nature Station

I had a guided nature walk with Kyle and it was fabulous! This area is stunning and his knowledge of the flora and fauna made the walk even more enjoyable. If you’re looking to escape the city for a dose of nature, I highly recommend visiting this area.

I ran 11 miles at the Acadian Park Nature Station and had a great experience. The staff and attendees were friendly and welcoming. Once you cross over the coulee, it gets incredibly quiet and peaceful. The trails wind all over the place, surrounded by lots and lots of trees. You truly feel like you’re deep in the forest, miles away from the city. If you’re running, just watch out for some exposed roots—many are thoughtfully marked with orange spray paint—but overall the trails are well cared for. An outstanding place to run, walk, or just unplug. Thank you, APNS!

The nature station building is usually open on weekdays until 5 pm, unless they’ve announced otherwise. Some of the trails are currently closed, but I’ve visited the nature station before for our class field trip in 4th grade, and I can honestly say it’s still a hidden gem in Lafayette! They’ve even added a “take a book leave a book” library! If you’re a nature lover, a newcomer to Lafayette, or anyone who needs to get some fresh air and greenery, I highly recommend checking out the nature station!!