Highland Lakes

Located along Baton Rouge’s outer edges, Highland Lakes offers easy access to hospitals, the airport and several lakes stocked with bass, catfish and bluegills. Known for its relaxing atmosphere, the neighborhood is fairly new, as most homes were built in the early to late 1980s. Only one hour's drive from New Orleans, the area has lots of trees, so lots can be as private as you like. It’s also close to numerous attractions, like the Mall of Louisiana, museums and nightlife. If you’re eager to live a life of swimming, boating and jet skiing before taking in dinner or playing a round of golf, Highland Lakes is the ideal place to call home.

Prices in the area range from $185,000 for a home needing a bit of TLC to several million for homes with five bedrooms and bathrooms along Bayou Fountain. Subdivisions are common in the area, as are mature trees to shade the houses and streets. Custom-built estates are popular along with Acadians, cottages, and ranch-style residences. Further, you’ll notice contemporary, French Provincial and Mediterranean dwellings scattered throughout the neighborhood. Houses are also found on large lots here, many of which reach up to an acre in size.

Students in Highland Lakes can attend any of several public schools in the greater Baton Rouge area. Woodlawn Elementary, Middle, and High Schools guide students through their prekindergarten through senior years. The elementary facility was rated in the top #35 standout elementary schools in Louisiana by Niche and earned a B-plus grade from the same website. Encouraging a growth mindset, the institution has Scholastic Academy programs as well as talented art, music and theater. Woodlawn Middle is one of the top 50 most diverse middle schools in the state and offers an accelerated Magnet Program to prepare children for college. Woodlawn High School began in 1888 as Rosedale, a one-room school. It expanded several times over the years, until finally, in 2003, the first new school in 30 years was finished. Known for its dual enrollment program, the facility also teaches agricultural science, welding and electrical engineering, and hospitality and tourism.

Green space isn’t hard to find in Highland Lakes, and the 144-acre Highland Road Community Park is one of the most popular spaces for sports and recreation. There’s a rec center with indoor basketball courts, an outdoor fitness station and a disc golf course. Lighted multi-purpose ball fields make up the majority of the park but there’s plenty of room to run and play. Pickleball courts, tennis courts, and a walking track make up the rest of this southeastern Baton Rouge green place.

Located in the southern part of the park, the Highland Road Park Observatory makes science accessible to everyone. The octagonal main building contains 16-inch and 20-inch reflecting telescopes, the larger of which has discovered over 50 different asteroids. The staff is trained to answer astronomy and science questions and has been since the observatory opened in 1997. Partnered with the Baton Rouge Recreation Department, LSU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society, it hosts a Friday night lecture series and evening sky viewings.

The Santa Maria Golf Course is part of the Audubon Golf Trail and was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Occupying 150 acres of rolling terrain, the Bermuda fairways contain numerous sand bunkers, 18 lakes, and groves of mature oak trees. Open daily, the 18-hole championship course has a pro shop, clubhouse, full-service restaurant and private dining room. Located just off Highland Road and Interstate 10, it’s one of the best public golf courses in Southeastern Louisiana.

When you need to fill the pantry, Alexander’s Highland Market is waiting to serve you. In business for over 100 years, a new state-of-the-art facility was opened in 2011 along Highland Road. Family-owned and operated, this full-service neighborhood grocery still takes your bags to your vehicle, making it one of a handful in the state to do so. Along with a wonderful bakery and large seafood selection, the shop sells artisan cheeses and specialty sausages like boudin and andouille.

Less than 20 miles from Downtown Baton Rouge, the quiet Highland Lakes area lets residents relax in the beauty of nature while remaining close to all the conveniences of the city.

Written By

K.T. Phillips

Photography Contributed By

Andrew Williams

Video By

Mark Barakat