Recent News

Join Friends of Hodges Gardens and come often all year long

Submitted by admin on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 09:45

Individuals and businesses are invited to join Friends of Hodges Gardens. There are two levels of membership... the first level at $100 annually gets you an annual pass to the Gardens. This pass also can be used in entering all Louisiana State Parks. The first level, at $250, entitles corporations, businesses or individuals to two annual passes to the Gardens and all other Louisiana State parks.

Please CLICK HERE to download the membership form

Hundreds attend Spring Fling celebration

Submitted by admin on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 16:43

A classic car show, food booths, art in the park, a race on foot, and just enjoying the beautiful gardens. Mother nature cooperated with the event and brought sunny skies and the temperatures were neither too chilly nor sweltering hot.

The grounds were incredibly spruced up for this big event and it did not go unnoticed, as visitors complimented the clean and groomed look. Hodges Gardens' Manager Kim Kelly was very complimentary herself of the Hodges' staff who readied up the Gardens for the Spring Fling.

A time to bloom... and to breed

Submitted by admin on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 16:41

April is a nature lovers paradise at Hodges Gardens. During this month, among flowers in bloom are many varieties of camellias, irises and lilies in many colors, magnolia flowers on their host trees, as well as all sorts of berries on their host vines, shrubs and trees.

In the Old Fashioned Rose Garden, there is a rainbow of antique roses in bloom. Among them, China roses, climbers, bourbons, and damasks.

Easter Sunrise Service

Submitted by admin on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 16:39

For nearly 60 years, Hodges Gardens has been host to the ultimate Easter Sunrise Service presented by Centenary College Choir and joined by surrounding church and community choirs. As the sun peaks over the lake, the angelic sounds of the choir fill the park.

The gates open early and close at 5:45 a.m. so the 6 a.m. service is not interrupted, so please arrive early. Bring blankets and/or lawn chairs, as sometimes there is still a morning chill in the air by Easter, which is Sunday, April 8 this year.

Choirs for Easter Sunrise Service will perform at the pavilion of Hodges Gardens

Camellias of all kinds in bloom in the Main Gardens

Submitted by admin on Fri, 03/02/2012 - 13:12

Red, pink, pink and white... Camellias are blooming in the Main Gardens of Hodges now. Don't miss the beautiful sight of the spectacular flowers lining pathways from the Main Gardens to the lake area. Even their hundreds of petal and full flower droppings are a sight to see. Plus there are many other species of camellias waiting to bloom in coming weeks. Shown here, 12-year-old Siarah, a Florien Jr. High student, lays amongst the fallen petals and flowers.

Natural Gardens re-open to public

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 11:05

The Natural Gardens of Hodges Gardens State Park are again open to visitors of the park. Also known as the North Gardens, the Natural Gardens had been closed to the public for several years. The Hodges Gardens staff team has been working diligently this past fall and winter to clear the entire mile of walkways from fallen trees and underbrush well as identifying and tagging special plants.

Spring Fever. Catch It!

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 10:53

Catch the Wonders of Nature at Hodges Gardens

Although Hodges Gardens offers beauty and splendor unique to each of the four seasons, Spring brings the largest variety of colors and blooms to the Louisiana State Park located in the center of Western Louisiana.

Annual Day Passes

Submitted by admin on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 10:52

Hodges Gardens State Park now has the 2012 Louisiana State Park Annual Day Use Passes available for sale.

An annual pass provides the cardholder and anyone in their vehicle entrance to any Louisiana State Park from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.

In addition, gift certificates may be purchased for that hard to buy for person on your Christmas list. The Gift Certificates may be used to purchase an annual pass, rent a cabin or shop in the gift shop.

Masons move to save Flag Island

Submitted by tourism on Wed, 08/24/2011 - 13:50

In year’s past, Hodges Garden’s Flag Island, the monument to the Louisiana Purchase and United States, witnessed the delightful screams of children, who played tirelessly on top of the structure’s 96-foot long map of the United States, and adults, who stared in reverence at its 18 flags while taking in spectacular views of the park’s massive lake.

Volunteer Opportunities

Submitted by kim on Sun, 08/15/2010 - 09:20

Hodges Gardens State Park has had a tremendous outpouring of volunteer support from the community and surrounding areas this past year. Volunteering in the gardens give us the opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of others that are united for a common goal. Some of the work days will coincide with seasonal plantings and others are for working trails and other areas of the park. This is a great opportunity for scouts, schools and service organizations to earn community service credits or for garden lovers to help maintain the quality of the gardens.