Wind through the rolling hills and lush forests of West Feliciana Parish on the Tunica Trace Byway, a 32-mile Louisiana State Scenic Byway that reveals a landscape most people never associate with the Pelican State. This route traces ancient paths once walked by the Tunica people, cutting through dramatic loess bluffs — towering windblown soil formations that create an unexpectedly rugged terrain draped in hardwood forest and wild azaleas.

Along the drive, discover historic plantation homes, quiet country churches, and the charming town of St. Francisville, one of Louisiana’s most picturesque small towns. Stop at the Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area for hiking trails that wind past creek-carved ravines and seasonal waterfalls. Nearby, the Audubon State Historic Site marks where John James Audubon painted many of his famous bird studies, surrounded by the same moss-draped oaks that stand today.

Spring brings the most spectacular scenery, when wildflowers carpet the hillsides and migrating birds fill the canopy. Fall offers golden light filtering through hardwoods ablaze with color. Allow two to three hours for the drive, more if you plan to hike or explore St. Francisville’s antebellum architecture and local restaurants.

Explore Nearby

• Clark Creek Natural Area — State Park in Mississippi
• State Capitol State Park — State Park in Oregon
• Natchez LightA — Lighthouse in Mississippi
• Homochitto National Forest — National Forest in Mississippi
• Kisatchie National Forest — National Forest in Louisiana