| Toledo Bend Reservoir is a large | | | | Gardens is a short, pleasant drive South |
| artificial lake on the Sabine River | | | | of Many, Louisiana. |
| between Texas and Louisiana. | | | | Hodges Gardens is the nation's largest |
| Construction on the Toledo Bend Dam | | | | privately owned horticultural parkland |
| began on May 11, 1964, and water | | | | and wildlife refuge and is one of Sabine |
| impoundment began on October 3, 1966. | | | | Parish's most celebrated attractions. |
| The lake has an area of 185,000 acres | | | | The gardens have a staff of 23 full time |
| (749 km2), and the dam is capable of | | | | and 5 part-time employees. Most of these |
| generating 92 megawatts of electrical | | | | work in the formal garden, gift shop and |
| power. It is the largest lake either | | | | greenhouse areas, though there is a |
| wholly or partially in Texas. | | | | small administrative staff. The |
| The reservoir is a popular location for | | | | greenhouse personnel raise many of the |
| freshwater fishing. | | | | Garden's flowers and foliage from either |
| Sabine National Forest and Hiking Trails | | | | seeds or cuttings. However, some |
| Wild Azalea Canyons - Famous since the | | | | flowers, such as 42,000 tulips from |
| 1800s, this area provides a wonderful | | | | Holland, must be bought from outside |
| spot for year round hiking and in March | | | | growers. The flowers are used to fill |
| it blossoms with wild Azaleas - about a | | | | the 75 beds located throughout the |
| 30 minute drive South. | | | | 60-acre main garden area. The gardeners |
| Canyon Rim Woodlands Trail - Nearby, | | | | replace the plants several times each |
| easy access, well marked trails, and an | | | | year with the different spring, summer |
| easy walk in the woods makes this trail | | | | and autumn seasonal plant groups. |
| a great one to visit. About 20 minutes | | | | Horseshoe Casino - Shreveport Gaming A |
| driving time from the resort. | | | | scenic drive North will take you to |
| Trail Between the Lakes - This 28 mile | | | | Shreveport - Bossier City and some |
| trail, primarily through Sabine National | | | | exciting riverboat gambling on the |
| Forest, has many points where you can | | | | historic Red River, fine restaurants, |
| enter or leave the trail to make your | | | | shopping and entertainment. |
| excursion in the woods as long - or | | | | Two Indian casinos in Marksville and |
| brief - as you like. It begins "just | | | | Coushotta are also only a pleasant drive |
| down the road" from Fin & Feather, at | | | | away from the resort. |
| the Lakeviw Recreation Site. and passes | | | | Other Attractions Nearby Hemphill, Texas |
| right by the resort. | | | | offers some charming craft and gift |
| Boles Field Recreation Area - The Boles | | | | shops, a historic county jail and |
| Field area is a tradition with fox | | | | museum, and the unforgettable "Cedar |
| hunters and is home to the National Fox | | | | Tree Domino Players". |
| Hound cemetery. Boles Field is about a | | | | Sabine Speedway is a quarter mile oval |
| 45 minute scenic drive away. | | | | stock-car racing track that has races |
| Moore Wildlife Management Area: A few | | | | March through November on Saturday |
| miles up the road, the 27,034 acre Moore | | | | nights - just North of Many, Louisiana. |
| Plantation Wildlife Management Area | | | | Many major fishing tournaments are held |
| offers hunting and camping. Portable | | | | on Toledo Bend Reservoir - some weekends |
| deer stands may be used but may not be | | | | will find two tournaments being held at |
| left unattended for more than 72 hours. | | | | the same time! Frequent festivals in the |
| Birding Blessed with many native species | | | | area such as: Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, |
| and a multitude of migratory species | | | | Fisher Sawmill Days, Battle of Pleasant |
| passing through, the area is a favorite | | | | Hill Festival, Florien Free State |
| among bird watchers. A number of eagles | | | | Festival, Zwolle Loggers Festival Fort |
| makes their homes on the lake. | | | | Polk - Ft. Polk is the nation's fifth |
| Cypress Bend Golf Resort Area Golfing | | | | largest military installation and is the |
| Cypress Bend is a championship 18-hole | | | | cornerstone of this west central part of |
| golf course. Experience playing through | | | | Louisiana. It began as Camp Polk in the |
| an impressive series of inlets and | | | | early 1940's, but has evolved into one |
| bluffs while overlooking the lake on all | | | | of the U.S. Army's most modern |
| 18 holes. Cypress Bend is across the | | | | facilities. It now serves as the home of |
| lake, a pleasant drive of about an hour. | | | | the Army's Joint Readiness Training |
| Hodges Gardens World famous Hodges | | | | Center. |