2 Incredible Caves in Louisiana (From Popular Spots to Hidden Treasures)

Are you a sucker for spelunking hell-bent on discovering the incredible caves in Louisiana? Tell you what, the odds are in your favor because there’s one in store for you! So, some adventurous Louisianans spend most of their leisure time club-hopping, slow dancing to relaxing jazz tunes, enjoying the state’s impressive culinary scene, and taking up with new people. 

But others – fueled by an insatiable desire to explore the outdoors – comb through the Pelican State’s over 13 million acres of forestland to unearth the jewels it holds, including caves. Suppose you’re ready to join the bandwagon, come with us on this journey as we look into this region’s only cave and divulge little-known secrets to having a great time at the destination. 

Also, we know you’re probably itching to learn about Louisiana’s second cave but don’t fret—we’ll tell you all about it right before we show you how to ensure your next expedition is as thrilling as anticipated. Let’s dive in!

1. Wolf Rock Cave

Tucked away in Kisatchie National Forest’s Vernon Unit, Wolf Rock Cave takes pride in being Louisiana’s oldest and only cave system. It has been around since 2500 BC and is believed to be a whopping 30 million years old! Louisianans are convinced that archaic people occupied this cave centuries ago because remnants alluding to their way of life are still there, including fish hooks, arrowheads, axes, and beads. 

Wolf Rock Cave served as more than a home for the ancient people of Louisiana. Historians allege that its countless back rooms were handy in the American Civil War as they served as barracks for the Confederate forces. The soldiers tucked their supplies in the cave while preparing to attack their enemies.  

But those aren’t the only interesting stories about Wolf Rock Cave. Lore has it that the legendary American fugitive, gang leader, and robber Jesse Woodson James, successfully hid in it for a long time. 

Camping

People settled around Wolf Rock Cave in the 1950s. Some were merely fascinated by the idea of living so close to one of Louisiana’s natural beauties. However, others craved easy access to the cave to spend their free time exploring its every nook and cranny. Soon enough, they began to set up camp, transforming the destination into a campsite for numerous outdoor enthusiasts across the state. 

Naturally, Wolf Rock Cave appealed to more than just local campers. Teens from nearby regions – longing to spend time away from home – frequented the destination to enjoy beer and have fun indulging in other shenanigans. 

Today, Wolf Rock Cave is a prime location for history buffs looking to learn more about the archaic people that inhabited it centuries ago. Because it’s located in Kisatchie National Forest, it also paves the way for revelers to enjoy a host of other exciting activities. 

About Kisatchie National Forest 

Louisiana is endowed with a vast array of natural resources, including natural gas, salt, and seafood. But it only has one national forest—the Kisatchie National Forest southwest of Alexandria. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service manages this 604,000-acre forest established in 1930. 

Besides exploring Wolf Rock Cave, here are other exciting things to do at Kisatchie National Forest: 

Marvel at the Thriving Plant Life 

Plants are among our planet’s most interesting life forms. In fact, they made way for the existence of Kisatchie National Forest. It was established to restore ground cover after nearly all native longleaf pine occupying it was cut at the beginning of the 20th century. This objective saw the planting of thousands of seedlings, which were also handy in controlling wildfires and minimizing soil erosion. 

Kisatchie National Forest now harbors trees and countless other species that reflect the state’s diverse plant life. These include the restored longleaf pine, bald cypress, pinewoods, black tupelo, and calcareous prairies. In addition, parts of this national forest host hillside seepage bogs where some of the rarest species thrive, including predators. 

One of them is the pitcher plant, whose leaves create tube-like structures to trap insects and digest them. The species also boast slippery surfaces that make it hard for their prey to escape. Sundews are other carnivorous plants inhabiting Louisiana’s sole national forest. These alluring sit-and-wait predators draw in insects and trick them into sitting on them so they can eat the creatures. 

Nevertheless, some animals grab every opportunity they get to munch on pitcher plants without experiencing any side effects, including: 

• Elk 
• Sheep 
• Dogs 
• Cows
• Buffalo

View Wildlife 

Kisatchie National Forest is arguably the best destination for animal lovers in the Pelican State. If you’re in that pool, here are some species you might spot at the Kisatchie Ranger and Catahoula/Winn districts. 

• Louisiana black bear: A subspecies of the American black bear, this is Louisiana’s official state animal. Its distinguishing features include longer, narrower, flatter skulls and massive molar teeth. 
• Wild boar: With roughly 750,000 specimens, Louisiana harbors one of the largest wild boar populations in the United States. Expect to see some of these destructive but enthralling animals in Kisatchie National Forest. Despite their unpredictability and aggressiveness, they only attack humans when threatened. Hence, you don’t have to run if you encounter them; watch them from a distance. 
• Snakes: Your chances of seeing a Louisiana pine snake meandering around the Kisatchie National Forest are high. The reptile, which belongs to the family Colubridae, is one of the most popular species here. If you spot it, there’s no need to be scared because its bite is not deadly despite its large size. 
• Red-cockaded woodpeckers: You’ll likely spot the black and white red-cockaded woodpeckers at Kisatchie National Forest. The bird’s population has considerably declined within the past few years, prompting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to declare it an endangered species. 

Many other creatures reside in Louisiana’s only national forest, including frogs, turtles, salamanders, coyotes, foxes, bats, and otters. Because the destination has a vast network of horse riding trails, you’ll also see herds of the beautiful equines traversing the land. 

Hiking 

If you’re an enthusiastic hiker, tremendous fun awaits you in Kisatchie National Forest, thanks to the many trails available. The Calcasieu Ranger District, which hosts Wolf Rock Cave, offers the Big Branch Trail, Turkey Pen Trail, Fullerton Mill Trail, and Ouiska Chitto Trail. Of course, you shouldn’t limit yourself to these alone, as the rest of the forest has many more to offer. Some of these are: 

• Wild Azalea National Recreation Trail 
• Valentine Lake Loop Trail
• Lamotte Creek Trail 
• Camp Livingston Trails 
• Stuart Lake Nature Trail 
• Glenn Emery Trail 
• Caroline Dormon Trail 
• Sandstone Multi-Use Trail 
• Dogwood Interpretive Trail

Note that most of Kisatchie National Forest’s trails are versatile and serve horse riders and bikers as well.  

Fishing 

The vast Kisatchie National Forest welcomes passionate anglers in Louisiana and beyond. One of the best fishing holes here is Lost Creek, a scenic, small woodland stream roughly 43.5 km (27 miles) west of Sandy off State Highway 26. The main fish species to catch here is the rainbow trout (catch and release). You can leverage fly or spin fishing, depending on what you deem most convenient. Additionally, flies or artificial lures are allowed.  

Another fantastic location for anglers near Wolf Rock Cave is the Clackamas River. Years ago, this fishing spot supported massive steelhead trout and coho salmon populations. But unfortunately, those species don’t inhabit its waters anymore; only the rainbow trout is available. Bear in mind the official angling season here is summer. If you come here at any other time, make the most of the nearby well-maintained campgrounds, which include Carter Bridge, Sunstrip, Lazy Bend, and Armstrong. 

We also recommend the Salmon River for avid anglers visiting Wolf Rock Cave. Like Lost Creek and Clackamas River, this body of water only supports the rainbow trout, which you can only fish for during summer. 

2. Murrell’s Cave

Here’s Louisiana’s second known cave, which regrettably no longer exists! Nestled in Western Louisiana near Sheard Branch, Murrell’s Cave was a network of caves believed to have been the hideout of famous bandit John Murrell. The renowned outlaw reigned the Mississippi River and Natchez Trace in the 1880s. 

Interestingly, Murrell’s fame didn’t fade into oblivion after he died in 1844. Quite the opposite, he triggered the creative juices of fiction writers across the Pelican State. Even more fascinating, he motivated film and television producers to get the cameras rolling in the 19-20th century. 

Works Inspired by Murrell 

John Murrell’s life inspired these works: 

• The Cruel Redeemer Lazarus Morell (published in 1935)
• Virginia City (released in 1940)
• Sow the Seeds of Hemp (1976)
• The Life and Adventures of John A. Murrell, the Great Western Land Pirate (2014)

Louisianans believe Murell used Murrell’s Cave not only as a living space but also as storage for his stolen goods, including silver and gold. According to legend, some of these valuables remain in the cave, explaining why many people scoured its rooms for years to find them. 

What Happened to Murrell’s Cave? 

Unfortunately, the US Forest Service blew up Murrell’s Cave in 1942 to prevent revelers from getting lost or injured while hunting for the bandit’s treasure. Therefore, not much of this cave remains. 

What’s worse, passionate cavers can’t access Murrell’s Cave because the land it once sat on is now privately owned. 

Plan Your Next Spelunking Adventure in Louisiana

Excited about your next spelunking trip? Gear up for the upcoming journey to Wolf Rock Cave in Kisatchie National Forest! Once you’ve had enough of the cave, check out the destination’s angling, hiking, and camping locations while observing the countless plant and animal species calling it home. 

Thankfully, caving presents many benefits no matter how many hours you invest. These include enjoying the peace and tranquility of nature, learning about different cave formations, and improving cardiovascular fitness. Additionally, the thrilling venture takes your teamwork and problem-solving skills up a notch as you try to navigate the incredible caves.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Yury Birukov/Shutterstock.com