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Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery
4.6 ★★★★★ 78 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 Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery'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.
Open since 1931, a fish hatchery with 53 ponds & an aquarium on a historic Native American site.
What runners say about Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery
This is a small but nice aquarium. The hatchery is located on an original Caddo village so they have dioramas of the village and artifacts found on the grounds as well. There are fish, turtles, and an alligator named Kevin.
Worth the admission (free). Near to see the tanks they had set up. Would love to go walking along the raceways out in the hatchery but I think that was off limits.
In reading the other reviews here, I don't see anyone mentioning a great aspect of this little jewel. We are nature/bird lovers and the walk along the levee was the best part...just being outdoors and a lot of bird activity including some species that we just don't get to see at home which is about 60 miles away.
Trail conditions & character
“They have nice bathrooms but if you're in there too long without moving, the sensor lights turn off, leaving you in the dark.”
Plan your run at Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery
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.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadwater — reported by runners
- Websitefws.gov
- Phone(318) 352-5324
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–3 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–3 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–3 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–3 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–3 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–3 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.
Natchitoches City Park
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Park with a playground and picnic tables, plus a walking trail along a river.
Grady Erwin Nature Preserve and NSU Nature Study Area
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Parc Natchitoches
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Public park featuring a fishing pond, playground, and covered pavilions with ceiling fans.
Kisatchie Hills Wilderness
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Longleaf Vista Nature Trail
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Popular spot with a 1.5-mi. hiking trail through a longleaf pine forest featuring scenic overlooks.