Hodges Gardens State Park, Botanical garden and state park in Sabine Parish, US.
Hodges Gardens State Park is a botanical garden and state park featuring formal gardens, an arboretum, walking paths, waterfalls, and a lake surrounded by natural rock formations. The grounds span approximately 1900 acres and include diverse planted areas alongside natural woodland.
A.J. Hodges Sr. transformed a former quarry site into gardens during the 1950s. The estate was donated to Louisiana in 1975 for public use.
The gardens display native Southern plants like azaleas and magnolias alongside imported species such as tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils cultivated in tropical greenhouses. This mix lets visitors experience different botanical worlds within the same space.
The park has hiking trails, fishing spots, camping areas, and cabin lodging for various visitor groups. Wear comfortable shoes and note that access to certain areas may vary with the seasons.
The irrigation system recycles water through waterfalls, pools, fountains, and a geyser, creating a sustainable water cycle from the main lake. This engineering approach demonstrates how water moves continuously through the landscape without external sources.
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