PEAKLIFE
06-Aug-2025
Take a trip to one of the most scenic and rural parishes in Louisiana.
Located in Louisiana’s Northshore area, Washington Parish is one of the state’s most scenic underexplored parishes. Its beauty lies in its pristine wilderness dotted with rolling hills, pine forests, meandering waterways, charming farms and small towns. With abundant nature reserves, rich culture, local cuisine, and home to the nation’s largest free fair, the parish reveals untamed charms and beautiful landscapes of the south.
If you plan to take a trip to one of the most scenic and rural parishes in the state, here are the 10 best places to visit in Washington Parish.
What to do in Washington Parish?
1. Attend the Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival
The city that gave us legendary pianist Professor Longhair is where you will also find one of the region’s premier music festivals. Every September, the Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival features some of the best in contemporary and classic blues. You will also find local cuisine that includes Cajun specialities and soul-food staples. As a bonus to overnight visitors, the fest offers camping accommodations for tents and RVs, so you can enjoy the whole weekend sleeping next to Bogue Lusa Creek.
2. Picnic at the Bogue Chitto State Park
One of the gems of the Louisiana State Parks system, Bogue Chitto State Park is a haven for anglers, families, campers, and disc golfers. Fourteen miles of designated horse trails crisscross the park, meaning that visitors on horseback are never far from good views of the park’s namesake river. The topography of rolling hills and cypress forests makes Bogue Chitto State Park a truly special place to spend time while visiting Washington Parish.
3. Spend the day Canoeing and Tubing
Load up the coolers, pack some sunscreen and get ready to chill out in the cool waters of the Bogue Chitto River, offering Northshore visitors an awesome opportunity to beat the heat while paddling or floating through some of the wildest terrain in south Louisiana. The Bogue Chitto is well known for tubing, and numerous outfitters offer drop-off and pick-up, along with tubes, kayaks, canoes, and life jackets. Two local businesses to check out are Louisiana River Adventures in Franklinton and Bogue Chitto Tubing Center in Bogalusa.
4. Visit the Washington Parish Free Fair
Dating back to 1911, the Washington Parish Free Fair is the second-oldest fair in the entire state. Carnival rides, games, a pageant, rodeo, and tons of family-friendly attractions await visitors every October. Visitors can also take a step back in time with the Authentic Historical Pioneer Village at the Mile Branch Settlement. Costumed hosts tour the various log buildings from the 1800s, from where one can get a bird's-eye view of the fairgrounds.
5. Plan a trip to the Mile Branch Settlement
Peek into pioneer life as it was lived circa 1850 at the Mile Branch Settlement. This collection of original pioneer cabins (two are listed in the National Historic Register) is located at the Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton and includes structures from throughout the local region. It is open three times a year during the Washington Parish Free Fair, the first weekend in December for Pioneer Christmas and during the Antique Tractor Show each May. Mile Branch Settlement is also open for group tours by appointment on Fridays, seasonally.
6. Witness Parades at the Mardi Gras
Washington Parish knows how to throw elaborate Mardi Gras celebrations, which are on display every year when the Krewe of Magic City Carnival Association (MCCA) rolls through the streets of Bogalusa. The Krewe claims to have one of the largest parades of its kind anywhere, with more than 50,000 spectators in attendance.
7. Celebrate Christmas in Washington Parish
The Washington Parish Fairgrounds in Franklinton get into the Christmas spirit the first weekend of every December, with events such as Pioneer Christmas. The historic cabins comprising Mile Branch Settlement are decorated for the season, and to get visitors into the spirit, there are local artisans exhibiting and selling crafts such as holiday ornaments and jewellery on-site. The pioneer spirit makes this a unique Christmas as carollers stage the area and sing on cabin porches, while folks dressed in period costume will be offering demonstrations of local cuisine.
8. Cool off at White Sands Lake Day Beach
If you are looking for a beachy getaway, head to White Sands Lake Day Beach. Located a few miles south of Franklinton and Bogalusa, this sunny getaway is especially popular among families and groups. Take a dip in the cool, spring-fed waters of White Sands Lake, or take your pick of boat rentals: kayaks, pedal boats and paddleboards are all available. For the kids, there is an aqua park with trampolines and water slides. After drying off, head to one of White Sands Lake Day Beach's cabanas, all of which come equipped with barbecue grills.
9. Collect Antiques and Visit Flea Markets
Treasure hunters will be delighted to find a wealth of antique stores and flea markets to explore everything from vintage furniture to antique china while in the Washington Parish area.
10. Take a Blueberry Farm Tour
The rich soils of Washington Parish make it well suited for farming, and travellers with a sweet tooth and a love of the outdoors can see how it is done up close at a pick-your-own blueberry farm. L&E Blueberry Farm in Franklinton is a local “u-pick” farm that welcomes visitors and is a great experience for the family. Their season begins in May.
Image credit: Louisiana Office of Tourism
