Here's a map to find places that apparently give a naked eye view of the Milky Way. We'll never see it in Louisiana unless it's a really good night between Alexandria and Natchez.
https://darksitefinder.com/maps/world.html#3/13.84/-108.46
And an article on seeing the Milky Way:
https://darksitefinder.com/how-to-see-the-milky-way/