Louisiana's Outback Thrives On This Gulf Coast Trail Brimming With Beaches, Lakes, And Wildlife Refuges

"The Outback" may conjure visions of kangaroos and crocodiles, but swap the kangaroos for armadillos and alligators for crocodiles, and you've found yourself in Louisiana's Outback — considered one of America's "last great wildernesses." Louisiana's Outback, sprawling through the state's southwest, teems with life thanks to its diverse geography and ecosystems. Vast wildlife refuges host all kinds of habitats — prairies, swamps, freshwater marshes, forests, estuaries, coastal dunes, and beaches – threaded with small fishing and Cajun communities that have long called the backcountry home. 

Rambling through this rugged terrain is the 180-mile scenic road called the Creole Nature Trail, which begins around the town of Sulphur – about 200 miles west of New Orleans — and meanders to the Gulf of Mexico (renamed the Gulf of America in 2025 by U.S. President Donald Trump). It parallels the Gulf along Highway 82, then loops inland on Highway 27 around massive Calcasieu Lake before ending near Lake Charles, a popular vacation destination with world-class beaches and shoreside casinos.

The Federal Highway Administration recognizes 37 All-American Roads in the United States, and the Creole Nature Trail is one of them — meaning the road's not only a destination in itself but also has at least two "intrinsic qualities" that exist nowhere else. The Creole Nature Trail is also one of 150 designated scenic byways in the country, each offering at least one feature of scenic, natural, recreational, historic, cultural, or archaeological significance. Louisiana is home to two All-American Roads — the other is the Great River Road, an underrated highway drive that runs the length of the Mississippi River. But the Creole Nature Trail offers a uniquely different landscape and a chance to see photogenic alligators up close, add exotic birds to your life list, explore wildlife refuges, cast a line into the Gulf of Mexico, and taste local Cajun flavors.

A self-guided tour can take one or two days  – at least a half-day is recommended — and the best place to begin is the Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point in Sulphur, an interactive visitor center in a town named for its former sulfur mines. With immersive displays showcasing the Outback's landscapes, wildlife, and Cajun and Creole culture, visitors leave equipped with valuable information to explore the Outback. Also, stop by the Henning Cultural Center to learn more about the area's mining history. Make sure you have a full tank of gas, plus snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and binoculars. You're ready to hit the trail!

Drive south on Highway 27 through flat prairie that gives way to coastal marsh and 700,000 acres of wetlands. Hackberry, along Kelso Bayou and dotted with shrimp and crab houses, was once a smuggler's hideout. Privateer Jean Lafitte roamed this area before becoming an unlikely hero fighting in the War of 1812. Just 8 miles south of Hackberry lies Sabine National Wildlife Refuge: 125,000 acres of wetlands filled with alligators. A scenic overlook off Highway 27 allows you to park and take in views of the marsh. Two trails — the Blue Goose Trail and the Wetland Walkway — offer easy access. The latter, a boardwalk about 4 miles south of the overlook, includes an observation tower. Alligators, waterfowl, butterflies, armadillos, muskrats, and migrating songbirds are just a few of the locals you might encounter.

Highway 27 eventually curves east at Holly Beach and the Gulf. Nicknamed "The Cajun Riviera," Holly Beach is a calm, white-sand stretch with few crowds and rustic camping nearby. From here, stay on 27 east toward Cameron or turn west on Louisiana 82 toward Texas.

Thirty miles west of Holly Beach, you'll reach Peveto Woods Sanctuary, an island haven for millions of migratory birds . It's Louisiana's first chenier sanctuary, named for ancient oak-covered ridges unique to this area. Retrace your coastal route east and take the drive-on Cameron Ferry over the Calcasieu Ship Channel (watch out for dolphins!). You're in Cajun country, so keep an eye out for roadside restaurants and seafood shacks. Anchors Up Grill, for example, serves excellent shrimp po'boys. Past Rutherford Beach and Grand Chenier is the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, the most alligator-populated refuge along the Creole Nature Trail. A 3-mile cruise along Price Lake Road or a drive along Pintail Wildlife Drive offers more chances to see wildlife.

Double back toward Cameron Prairie and Lacassine National Wildlife Refuges, which offer world-class birdwatching and more alligators, especially in warm weather. At this point, you may need to refuel, so Chesson's Grocery is a great spot nearby for gas, burgers, and boudin. For overnight stays, consider Gross Savanne, a historic lodge and 50,000-acre private tract of cypress swamps and pine forest. Book an eco-boat tour, create a custom tour, or hire a local guide to find hidden fishing and crabbing spots.

Intrepid cyclists can explore by bike, but most navigate the Creole Nature Trail by vehicle. Lake Charles has a regional airport, but your best bet is flying into Houston (about 145 miles from Sulphur), Baton Rouge (140 miles), or New Orleans (roughly 200 miles east of Lake Charles). From Houston, you can take the trail in reverse: Veer off Interstate 10 onto Texas 73 East, which connects to Louisiana 82 East, part of the Creole Nature Trail. Follow the Gulf along Highway 82 until you reach Holly Beach, then continue to Highway 27.