For the Outdoors Enthusiast

There is nothing quite like spending a weekend exploring the outdoors in Ruston and Lincoln Parish.

Lincoln Parish offers a wide range of outdoor adventures for those who like biking, camping, fishing, hiking, birding and other recreational activities. We’ve created an itinerary of how you can enjoy the outdoors during your weekend stay.

Eat

Breakfast

For your first breakfast for your weekend in Ruston we recommend heading over to Common Goods Co. for a latte and a homemade pastry.
The, sleep in on Sunday and make your way to Trio’s for a delicious Sunday brunch. Their brunch menu features all the classics, in addition to several house specials and brunch cocktails. If you feel like a little fresh air, enjoy your meal on their breezy patio.

Lunch

Heard Freighthouse Food Park is the perfect lunch spot for anyone who likes the outdoors and delicious food. It features an outdoor dining area with covered picnic tables and a variety of food trucks to choose from ranging from BBQ and sandwiches to classic Cajun style fish and authentic Chinese food.
Dawg House is great place to visit before, after, or even during sporting events as fans can catch a game on their TVs located inside. This local favorite has a diverse dining menu ranging from salads and sandwiches to burgers and Tex-Mex.

Dinner

The perfect way to end a fun-packed day is with good food and drinks. Utility’s whimsical outdoor patio is a perfect dining location. Grab a beer at Ruston's only microbrewery! This gem also serves cocktails, delicious brick-oven pizzas, and salads made from fresh, locally produced ingredients.
Another Ruston staple is Ponchatoula's. Once the sun sets, head over to for a Cajun style dinner and drinks. Try the Crawfish Shirley or Stuffed Catfish for a delicious twist on traditional seafood dishes.

See

Lincoln Parish Park

After lunch, you can enjoy an afternoon of activities at the pristine Lincoln Parish Park The park boasts world-class bike trails, a path around the beautiful lake, and several fishing piers. If you’re really looking for an adventure, set up camp at one of the park’s primitive or RV campsites for the weekend.

Rock Island Greenway

Kickstart your day with a morning walk on the Rock Island Greenway, a multi-use path that stretches 6 miles across the city. This scenic path is great for a casual walk, run, or bike ride.

Hideaway Park

After lunch head over to Hideaway Park and enjoy a relaxing hammock session. If you’re looking for a little more activity, the park also features an 18-hole frisbee golf course and a 7-acre pond for fishing.

Bulldog Project Scavenger Hunt

The Bulldog Project is a public art installation that consists of 22 large bulldog statues each designed by a local artist. To find a full map of our artistic Bulldogs, click here. Be sure to snap a photo at each bulldog and share your adventure on social media using #TheBulldogProject.

Experience

There is no better way to begin the weekend than in Ruston’s walkable historic downtown. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, make your way downtown where you’ll find unique shops, local restaurants, public art installations and murals, and the historic Dixie Theater.

We recommend returning to downtown Saturday from 9:00am-1:00pm to check out the Farmers Market and shop at our local businesses. From fresh produce to hand carved cutting boards, there's no shortage of unique treasurers you can find at the Farmers Market.

If you want to find some gear to rep the Bulldogs, be sure to swing by FanBase for all your official Louisiana Tech merch.

Stay

RV Sites
For the RV campers, we recommend you book an RV spot at Lincoln Parish Park or the Piney Hills RV Park.
Lincoln Parish park Park amenities include covered pavilions, picnic tables, and benches throughout the park. A 1.25-mile walking path winds around the beautiful lake. Guests can fish from piers or from non-motorized boats. Kayaks and canoes are welcome.
Piney Hills is located at the Ruston Sports Complex which is located just minutes from downtown Ruston, with plenty of activities, shopping and restaurants to keep you entertained for a long weekend getaway.

Camping Grounds

To really tune into nature during your stay in Ruston, try staying at the Lincoln Parish camping grounds. Camping amenities include permitted campfires, pet-friendly sites, full hookups, pull-through sites, RV sites, tent sites, water hookups, and Wi-fi.

Cabins

For the outdoors feel but indoors stay, we recommend booking a cabin at Lake D'arbone State Park. Take a short 30 minute drive out of Ruston and you'll find Lake D'Arbonne State Park. The park has cabins, lodges, tennis courts, camping, picnicking and fishing with a boat launch and a fishing pier on a man-made lake. Amenities include covered pavilion, dump station, pier, tennis court, boat launch, cabins, campsite

For more lodging options and hotels, click here.

We hope you enjoy your weekend experience in Ruston, complete with a little outdoor adventure. Be sure to come visit again soon!

For more information on any of these attractions, or for other trip ideas, visit www.experienceruston.com.