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10 Reasons to Visit Lincoln Parish Park in 2024

Looking for reasons to visit Lincoln Parish Park? We’ve got what you’re looking for! Many People wonder what they can expect from Ruston, Louisiana‘s largest park. Fortunately, we’ve gathered everything you need to know right here!

In this article, we’re reviewing the most popular reasons people visit Lincoln Parish Park. By the end, you’ll have some excellent ideas to try on your next trip there. Get ready to explore Ruston’s Yellowstone National – here are 10 reasons to visit Lincoln Parish Park!

About Lincoln Parish Park

Lincoln Parish Park is located in the northeastern corner of Ruston, Louisiana. It’s on the left as you head north down Farmerville Hwy / LA-33, towards the outskirts of the city. You’ll find it on Parish Park road at the very end of a peaceful suburban neighborhood.

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The park’s 260 acres are full of fun outdoor activities for all ages. If you love natural Louisiana locations, you owe it to yourself to visit every now and then. Its 10-mile mountain bike trail is nationally recognized and beloved by locals and visitors alike, and people from all over come to challenge themselves and others on the intense terrain. If you bring your bicycle, make sure to bring a helmet!

The land for Lincoln Parish Park was officially obtained in 1981 and dedicated in 1990. Over the years, it’s been built into the nature preserve it is today. It even has a waterfall that’s in full swing after heavy rains. People visit to take pictures and relax under the falling water, so if you’re in town, make sure to swing by–it’s one of the 7 wonders of Ruston!

Best Lincoln Parish Park Activities

  • Tanning
  • Plant Identification
  • Geocaching
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Exercise
  • Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Mountain Biking

#10 – Tanning

Lincoln Parish Park has a beach, so if you need sun, you can tan!

#9 – Plant Identification

Plant identification is a lost art, but that doesn’t mean it has to be!

Lincoln Parish Park is home to many of Louisiana’s native plants, making it a great place to practice your plant or mushroom identification skills. Sure, you can use apps such as PlantSnap to do the work for you, but it’s not as fun! Challenge yourself and see if you can learn which species grow in your area. You never know when the time will come for you to put your survival skills to the test!

#8 – Geocaching

Shhh…don’t tell the Muggles!

At least, that’s what people who Geocache say when they’re trying to keep the game a secret. Geocaching is a worldwide treasure hunt game you can play by searching for hidden containers in public locations. The game’s app lets you select and track treasure via GPS in just about every city around the world. When you find a treasure box, you write your name on a log inside, take a treasure item, and leave something behind. It’s very simple, and you can even Geocache in Lincoln Parish Park!

#7 – Camping

tent camping

Become one with nature as a camper. Lincoln Parish Park has a series of campgrounds that accommodate both recreational vehicles (RVs) and tents. There’s a central bathroom station as well as picnic tables in the camping area. Campers can set up in a secluded location across from the lake’s swimming area and public parking lot and enjoy a nice stay in nature’s finest. It’s a great location to spend a few days during your summer, and all the amenities are there for you to settle down and take it all in. 

#6 – Fishing

Why not try some Lincoln Parish Park fishing? If you enjoy angling for fun, you can do so in the lake! Plenty of visitors fish from the lake’s main pavilion and scattered docks, reeling in fish of small to medium size.

It’s important to note the park isn’t built for fishing, and only non-motorized boats are allowed on the lake.

Grab a fishing pole, tackle, bait, and head out. If you’re adventurous, take a paddle boat and see what’s hiding below the waters in the center of the lake. Catch a fish, catch a tire…it doesn’t matter. At least you caught something!

#5 – Exercise

Don’t sweat the details, sweat the calories off. In big cities, it’s common for people to bypass a gym membership altogether in exchange for park exercise routines. Using a combination of exercise bands and park equipment, you can turn Lincoln Parish Park into a total gym.

You can’t overlook the opportunities for exercise in the outdoors. With all the space available, you can find a personal location to set up and do your thing. Legacy Park, a small playground, gives children a place to play and dispose of their energy as well.

#4 – Picnicking

Picnicking as an activity doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. It’s so simple that people overlook it as a reason to get out, but it’s one of the best! Packing a lunch and blanket to take and eat outside is like sharing a meal with nature. When the weather is right, you can relax and enjoy the day without a care in the world. You can go all out, blanket on the ground style, or you can set up on a picnic table. Either way, you can’t go wrong. And if you have a picnic basket, you’ll look like a professional!

#3 – Hiking

Journey into nature. Hiking isn’t as popular in Louisiana as it is in neighboring states like Arkansas, but it’s still just as fun. The trails of Lincoln Parish Park give you an excellent reason to start hiking for sport.

The park has trails that run all throughout its wooded areas, and you’ll find some of the most challenging paths in Ruston there. Pack a backpack with some fun supplies, a lunch, and a picnic blanket. Venture down any one of the trails and see where it leads. Hiking involves exploration while providing great exercise, making it one of the best all-around Lincoln Parish Park activities.

#2 – Kayaking

Lincoln Parish Park is the best place for kayaking in Lincoln Parish There’s plenty of room for a group to bring equipment and spend the day in the water.

#1 – Mountain Biking

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Lincoln Parish Park has a nationally-recognized mountain biking trail that every local knows about. It’s ranked #1 in Louisiana and within the top 25 in the United States, making it an essential for your bucket list if you haven’t been down it yet. The park’s loop stretches 10 miles, crossing several times on its way around. It features a variety of slopes and obstacles that present a challenge for bikers of all skill levels.

Final Words

These are just a few of the many reasons to visit Lincoln Parish Park. There’s a lot to do, especially if you’re a nature lover. Plan a trip with family and friends to explore the outdoors through open trails and wooded places. You’ll find everything you need for a fun-filled day of recreation in Ruston, Louisiana!

Note: Park trails are weather permitting. Check with the front office prior to visiting to confirm openings and closures.

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