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