Home › Louisiana › Natchitoches › Grady Erwin Nature Preserve and NSU Nature Study Area
Grady Erwin Nature Preserve and NSU Nature Study Area
5 ★★★★★ 3 Google reviews · Running trail in Natchitoches, Louisiana · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Grady Erwin Nature Preserve and NSU Nature Study Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Grady Erwin Nature Preserve and NSU Nature Study Area
Easy hiking trail right off University Parkway in Natchitoches, LA. Parking is open around the old forestry building, there are 3 trails to choose from. We walked the longest loop that took us by a pond and Young’s Bayou
Walked the nature preserve with a group of classmates from The Rattlesnake Conservancy Level 1 Venomous Handling Training held at NSU. We had a local with us showing us some of his favorite spots for herping. The entire nature preserve is exquisite!
I visit 1 to 2 times a week to work in the parking lot, walk my dog, and/or hike with family. Trails are easy enough to hike with young children and pets. They have 3 different trails to follow depending on the amount of time you want to spend hiking.
Trail conditions & character
“I visit 1 to 2 times a week to work in the parking lot, walk my dog, and/or hike with family.”
Plan your run at Grady Erwin Nature Preserve and NSU Nature Study Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitecanerivernha.org
- Phone(318) 357-5431
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–6 PM |
Running trails near Natchitoches
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Parc Natchitoches
4.6 ★★★★★ 39 reviews
Public park featuring a fishing pond, playground, and covered pavilions with ceiling fans.
Natchitoches City Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 254 reviews
Park with a playground and picnic tables, plus a walking trail along a river.
Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery
4.6 ★★★★★ 78 reviews
Open since 1931, a fish hatchery with 53 ponds & an aquarium on a historic Native American site.
Kisatchie Hills Wilderness
4.9 ★★★★★ 8 reviews
Longleaf Vista Nature Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 99 reviews
Popular spot with a 1.5-mi. hiking trail through a longleaf pine forest featuring scenic overlooks.