Baton Rouge, Louisiana, offers numerous scenic routes and stunning byways that you can enjoy from your motorcycle.
Whether you’re planning to visit Baton Rouge soon or have lived in the area your whole life, taking time to complete these scenic motorcycle routes can allow you to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the bayou. However, these routes can also expose you to the rich history that shaped Louisiana culture and life today.
Here is our curated list of the top Baton Rouge motorcycle rides that show off the area’s natural beauty.
Louisiana River Road
If you’re only passing through Baton Rouge on your way north or south, you can easily fit the Louisiana River Road into your journey. This road makes up a portion of the Great River Road, which follows the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana.
Louisiana’s portion of this scenic byway passes through Baton Rouge and New Orleans. When you begin the route in Baton Rouge, you’ll pass through the following areas:
- Nottoway Plantation
- Plantation Alley
- Cajun Country
- Oak Alley Plantation
Then, you’ll eventually end up in New Orleans, which borders Lake Pontchartrain.
You’ll find plenty to do and see along this route, ranging from exploring the quaint towns of New Roads and St. Francisville to shopping at the historic shops on Magazine Street in New Orleans. We recommend turning this ride into an all-day event or even a weekend trip to make the most of your journey along the Great River Road.
Creole Nature Trail Byway
The Creole Nature Trail byway is an All-American road that takes you through beautiful views of Louisiana marshes, shores, prairies, and wildlife. This 180-mile road offers numerous natural attractions that you can view from your bike, such as:
- America’s largest bird migration
- 700,000 acres of wetlands
- Alligators and indigenous animals
- Lake Charles, offering a unique fusion of city life and natural beauty
The natural areas along this byway are often considered Louisiana’s Outback. Along the route, there are plenty of places to stop to enjoy walking trails and take photos of the wildlife. For example, you can walk the Wetland Walkway, a 1.5-mile loop through a marsh at the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge.
You can also head east on this route to access the car ferry that will take you across the Calcasieu Ship Channel to Cameron.
Altogether, the Creole Natural Byway Trail offers an impressive selection of natural scenery that can give you a glimpse into the stunning, sprawling nature of the Louisiana bayou.
Cane River National Heritage Trail
If you’re looking to connect a Baton Rouge scenic route to a historical trail, we recommend traveling northwest of Baton Rouge along the Cane River National Heritage Trail. This route spans 71 miles, making for a perfect weekend trip to explore some of the historical sights of central Louisiana.
The Cane River National Heritage Trail begins in Natchitoches, a charming town featured in the movie “Steel Magnolias.” Then, the road follows the Cane River through sprawling Louisiana farmland and several quaint towns, showcasing the historical beauty of Louisiana’s heritage. For example, you’ll pass through Cloutierville, the hometown of author Kate Chopin.
As you travel southeast, you’ll pass through Natchez and the Cane River Creole National Historical Park. This park features impressive plantations and numerous park displays that can help you learn more about the enslaved people who once worked on the land.
You can then continue your route in the same direction, eventually ending the trip in central Baton Rouge. This route is an excellent choice if you’d like to learn more about Louisiana’s plantation history and dedicate time to a few small towns you may never experience otherwise.
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