You know that feeling when a favorite local spot goes away for a while, and you're just kind of holding your breath hoping they don't ruin it? That’s basically how everyone in Northwest Louisiana felt about Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park over the last few years.
Honestly, the old visitor center was charming, but it was tiny. It felt like a 1970s time capsule. Fast forward to early 2026, and the "new" Walter B. Jacobs is finally here. It’s bigger—six times bigger, to be exact. The Parish dropped about $20 million into a massive facelift, and the result is a 24,000-square-foot facility that actually does justice to the 160 acres of old-growth forest surrounding it.
If you haven't been since the grand reopening on January 17, 2026, you're walking into a completely different experience.
The 2026 Reopening: What’s Actually New?
Let’s get the logistical stuff out of the way first because it’s a big change. For decades, this park was totally free. Now, while the trails and the outdoor bird of prey aviary remain free, there is a fee to enter the new Exhibit Center. It’s $8 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors.
💡 You might also like: Tiempo en East Hampton NY: What the Forecast Won't Tell You About Your Trip
Is it worth the eight bucks? Yeah, probably.
Inside the new complex, they’ve installed a 28-foot white oak tree right in the middle of the building. It’s not just a decoration; it’s the anchor for a bunch of interactive exhibits. There’s a new alligator exhibit, a "scent panel" where you can smell the forest (which is cooler than it sounds), and a massive 4,000-square-foot exhibit hall.
One thing that hasn't changed is the vibe of the forest itself. You’re still looking at a rare pine-oak-hickory upland forest. This isn’t just some suburban park with a few trees; it’s an Old-Growth Forest Network site. That means the trees here have been largely left alone for a very long time, which is rare in a state that has been heavily logged.
📖 Related: Finding Your Way: What the Lake Placid Town Map Doesn’t Tell You
The Birds of Prey
The aviary is still the heart of the park for most families. You’ll find permanently injured raptors that can’t survive in the wild—hawks, owls, and a bald eagle. The naturalists here, like Joe Drane who has been a staple of the park’s education, really know these birds. If you catch a program on a Saturday, you might get to see a red-tailed hawk up close during a feeding or educational talk.
Hiking the 5 Miles of Trails
The trail system at Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park isn't about crushing miles or getting a high-intensity workout. It's about looking at stuff. There are seven trails, and none of them are particularly grueling, but they all offer something slightly different.
- The Caddo Trail (1.8 miles): This is the "big" one. It takes you through hilly upland areas down into flooded palmetto flats. If you want to see the diversity of the park in one go, this is it.
- The Audubon Trail (.3 miles): This one is paved. If you’ve got a stroller or a wheelchair, or if you just don't want to deal with mud after a Louisiana rain, stick to this. It leads right to the bird of prey aviary.
- The Miracle Trail (1 mile): This is the "greatest hits" loop. It hits every habitat type on the property, including a meadow that’s usually buzzing with butterflies in the spring.
- Adai Trail (1 mile): If you’re into plants, head here. It features some of the less common plant species that the naturalists have carefully preserved.
Basically, you can link these together to get a solid 5-mile hike, but most people just pick one or two and take their time.
👉 See also: Why Presidio La Bahia Goliad Is The Most Intense History Trip In Texas
Why People Get This Park Wrong
A lot of people think Walter B. Jacobs is just a playground or a place to walk the dog. First off, keep the dog on a leash—the park is a sanctuary, and they’re pretty strict about it, especially near the deer pen.
Secondly, the real value here is the floristic diversity. There are over 520 species of native plants here. That’s nearly 20% of the entire flora of Louisiana in one 160-acre plot. If you go with a "hike fast" mentality, you'll miss the vernal pools on the Ozark Trail or the rare fungi that pop up near the Adai Trail.
Owl Night and Special Events
The park is famous for "Owl Night," which usually happens around February. In 2026, it was scheduled for February 14. It’s a huge deal where they bring in local artists and let people see the owls at night, which is when they’re actually awake and doing owl things.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
- Check the Weather: Northwest Louisiana is humid. If you’re hiking the Miracle Trail in July, you’re going to sweat. Bring water. There are fountains in the new visitor center, but once you’re on the Caddo Trail, you’re on your own.
- Bring Binoculars: Even if you aren't a "birder," the view of the raptors in the aviary is much better when you can see the detail in their feathers. Plus, the park is a hotspot for migratory songbirds in the spring.
- Start Early: The park usually opens at 8:00 AM (Wednesday through Saturday) and 1:00 PM on Sundays. The wildlife is much more active in those first two hours.
- The "Please Touch" Table: If you have kids, find the "Please Touch" table in the visitor center. It’s full of tortoise shells, animal skulls, and pelts. It’s the best way to keep a seven-year-old engaged for twenty minutes.
- Park Hours: Be aware that the gates usually close at 5:00 PM. Don't be that person who gets their car locked behind the gate because you decided to do a "quick" loop on the Caddo Trail at 4:45 PM.
Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park has managed to grow up without losing its soul. The new building is flashy and the entry fee is a change, but the quiet of the pine-oak forest remains the same. It’s still the best place in Caddo Parish to disappear into the woods for a few hours.
To make the most of your trip, aim for a Wednesday or Thursday morning to avoid the school field trip crowds. If you're coming from Shreveport, it's a quick 15-20 minute drive up LA-173 to Blanchard Furrh Road. Pack a lunch, use the picnic pavilion, and actually take the time to read the interpretive signs—they've put a lot of work into explaining exactly why this patch of dirt is so special.