Chemin-a-Haut State Park: Cabin Area to Castle Tree (Blog Hike #985)

Trail: (unnamed)
Hike Location: Chemin-a-Haut State Park
Geographic Location: north of Bastrop, LA (32.90658, -91.84063)
Length: 2.3 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: February 2024
Overview: An out-and-back along Chemin-a-Haut Creek to old-growth bald cypress forest.
Park Information: https://www.lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/chemin-a-haut-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=955413
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming December 6)

Directions to the trailhead: From Bastrop, take US 425 north 8.1 miles to Loop Park Road.  Turn right on Loop Park Rd.  Drive Loop Park Rd. east 0.9 miles to the park entrance, and turn right to enter the park.  Pay the small entrance fee, turn left at the first intersection, and drive the park road to the cabin area at its end.  Park here, taking care not to park in spots reserved for people renting cabins.

The hike: Established in 1935, Chemin-a-Haut State Park (pronounced like "Shem in a HOT") is one of the oldest state parks in Louisiana.  The northeast Louisiana park protects 750 acres along Bayou Bartholomew, and many of those acres sit on a relatively high bluff overlooking the bayou.  The park's name comes from the French phrase that translates to "high road," a reference to a nearby blufftop route taken by migrants many centuries ago.

            The park sees few visitors due to its rural location, but it still offers some nice amenities.  The park offers a cozy 26-site developed campground, 14 cabins, a large picnic area, 2 playgrounds, and a wading pool.  In terms of trails, the park has only 2 short hiker-only trails, but hiking is also allowed on the park's 8 miles of bridle trails.  The out-and-back described here heads into the bridle trail system, but it leads to a scenic area along Chemin-a-Haut Creek that features old-growth bald cypress trees.  Thus, it forms a hike that is both longer and more scenic than the park's short hiker-only trails.

Trailhead at cabin area

            The unsigned two-track dirt trail starts to the left of cabin #14 and immediately heads into the woods.  After only a few hundred feet, you reach a trail intersection.  The trail going left leads past the campground to the gatehouse, and both of those destinations are alternate starting points for this hike.  To continue to the old-growth bald cypress trees, turn right to begin heading east.

Big Slough Lake

            Soon Big Slough Lake, a crescent-shaped body of water formed by damming a tributary of Bayou Bartholomew, comes into view on the right.  I did some nice bird watching along this lake that included a heron, some blue jays, and some cardinals.  Pine trees dominate the high ground, but bald cypress trees take center stage when you get closer to the water.

Hiking along Chemin-a-Haut Creek

            Near 0.5 miles, you pass the earthen dam that forms Big Slough Lake.  Next the trail descends slightly and curves left to begin heading upstream along the west bank of Chemin-a-Haut Creek.  A few muddy areas will need to be negotiated, but the entire trail was easily passable on the warm Friday afternoon in early February that I hiked here.

Picnic area near castle tree

            At 1.15 miles, you reach a cluster of picnic tables along Chemin-a-Haut Creek.  These picnic tables sit beside the grove of old-growth bald cypress trees, and a particularly large cypress tree known as the "castle tree" grows on the far side of the creek.  You cannot see the opening of the "castle" from this angle; you would need to paddle to the other side to see it.  Take some time to admire these giants while sitting at the picnic tables for a water break and/or trail snack.

Old-growth cypress trees

Old-growth cypress trees

            The bridle trail continues for several more miles past the picnic area, but the old-growth bald cypress grove that is the main attraction has already been attained.  Thus, I turned around here and retraced my steps to the cabin area to complete the hike.  If you want to add more distance, you can add the spur trail to the gatehouse.  Alternatively, another trail called the Cypress Trail forms a short hiker-only loop through the developed part of the park.