Wild Azalea Trail

This trail is for bikers and hikers only, with trailheads at the Town Hall in Woodworth and at the Valentine Lake Recreation Area. There are many points where you can join the trail, so you can determine the trail length according to your preference.

The Wild Azalea Trail is not a loop. It is bisected about midway by Louisiana Highway 488. Designated by the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service as a National Recreation Trail because of its outstanding scenic values, the trail is for foot or mountain bike traffic only. The route is conspicuously marked with bright yellow paint blazes. Traversing flat to rolling terrain, it winds through pine hills and hardwood bottoms, passing through managed forest areas, clearings and untouched areas. Visitors can enjoy the Castor Creek Scenic Area, a 90-acre site where large pine and hardwood trees are left in their natural state.

Streams along the trail are unsuitable for drinking purposes, so it's best to bring water. Parking is available at the town of Woodworth (at the Town Hall), on Forest Roads 273 and 279, and at the Valentine Lake Recreation Complex near the Southshore Campground. See Wild Azalea Trail or call the Calcasieu Ranger District at 318-473-7160.