This geocaching adventure challenges you to visit each of
Louisiana's State Parks and Historic Sites. Each
State Park and Historic Site has a unique special
mission with a story to tell, and offers its own
very special geocaching adventure for you to
experience. Each of these facilities has an official Geo Project
cache, containing a special clue for you to find
and record. These clues collectively will enable you to determine
the coordinates of the mystery location of the Final Cache, which
is located somewhere in the state of Louisiana. Use this Official
LAOSP Clue
Tracking Sheet to record all your clues.
As you travel our fine state, we encourage you to upload photos
of your travels on the geocaching.com web pages. However, we ask
that you please do not log clues or spoilers to the caches...they
would have to be deleted to keep the game fun for everyone! Do tell
us all about your travels and what you liked best about our parks
and historic sites. As an extra incentive, and for a limited time,
you can earn a
Louisiana State Park Geocoin for visiting all of our State
Parks and Historic Sites, and finding all the official geocaches
placed for your pleasure! Prizes are limited to the supply in hand
and will not be replenished.
Before you hunt for your first cache, click this
link to read the rules for the
Geo Project * Louisiana Office of State Parks. You must
follow all the rules, to qualify to win one of these great prizes
and collectibles.
This cache was place by the geocachers of Louisiana, on behalf
of the Louisiana Office of State Parks. It is designed to bring
your attention to these beautiful State Parks and Historic Sites.
We ask that you join us by visiting them whenever you get a chance.
Our State Park system is a great resource, so remember to "cache in
and trash out".
Congratulations to ***
FTF!
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Hodges Gardens
State Park
1000 Hodges Loop, Florien, LA 71429
318-586-4020 or 800-354-3523 toll free
For reservations, call 1-877-CAMP-N-LA (877-226-7652) toll
free.
Email: hodgesgardens@crt.state.la.us
Directions:From I-20, take
Hwy. 171 south. Hodges Gardens State Park is located approximately
14 miles south of Many. From I-10, take Hwy. 171 north. Hodges
Gardens State Park is located approximately 20 miles north of
Leesville. GPS Coordinates: N
31 22.1526, W 93 25.4891.
Hours of Operation: 7 a.m. to
9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. All park sites close at 10 p.m. on
Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.
Entrance Fees: $5 per person;
$4 for Seniors (62 and older) free for children age 3 and
under.
Trails at Hodges Gardens State
Park:
Over 700 acres of wild and cultivated beauty, Hodges Gardens
State Park, located in Sabine Parish, is a unique member of the
State Parks system. Originally designed and opened to the public in
1956 by oil and gas businessman A.J. Hodges Sr., the site's gardens
consist of a variety of plants and flowers, from a formal rose
garden to bushes that colorful Southern standard, the azalea.
The northwest region of Louisiana bears an interesting history,
from the Native American tribes to the French and Spanish settlers
to the outlaws of the "No Man's Land" that arose following the
Louisiana Purchase. Early explorers passed through the area on
their way to Mexico and California, a trail now designated as the
historic El Camino Real de los Tejas. In the late 19th
century, mining operations in the area provided sandstone for the
jetties at Port Arthur, Texas. When the quarry was abandoned, the
large natural rock formations remained exposed.
The Hodges recognized the potential of the abandoned quarry on
the property and planned a scenic garden using the natural rock
formations. Flowers were planted on one level above another,
creating a terraced effect. Walkways and footbridges throughout the
gardens allow the visitor to stroll through an abundance of flora.
Water from a 225-acre lake, built in 1954, is pumped from the lake
through the gardens to waterfalls, pools, a geyser, fountains and
to the watering system before it is recycled back into the lake.
A testament to one family's contribution to the preservation of
our land's natural beauty, Hodges Gardens was donated to the State
by the A.J. and Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation in 2007.
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Your Clues to this
Cache...
Find it, collect clue, take
picture, now log & post picture!
This cache is a simple ammo box hidden just off the main road
that loops around beautiful Hodges Gardens State Park. There's a
small paved shoulder for parking (see coordinates listed below).
Please do not park on the grass. From the parking area the cache is
just a short stroll away on fairly even but often soft, sandy
terrain. Make sure to re-hide the cache in its original location so
it will not be discovered by muggles. Have fun!
This cache was hidden by
Broken Trowel as part of the Louisiana Office of State Parks
geocaching project.