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Home/Staycations/Explore Louisiana State Parks

Explore Louisiana State Parks

Take time to explore and relax in one of Louisiana’s beautiful state parks. You will find wonderful camping, hiking, fishing and recreation in landscapes of forested hills, clear-water lakes, lowland swamps, marshes and Gulf beaches.

alert – hurricane closures

Nearly all of Louisiana’s State Parks have fully reopened following damage from Hurricane Ida. As of August 2022, Grand Isle State Park remains closed until further notice. The cabins at Fountainbleau State Park are closed, but the campground and other facilities are open. All boardwalk trails at Tickfaw State Park are closed due to hurricane damage. Get the latest closure updates from the Louisiana Office of State Parks.

yellow map of state of Louisiana showing all 21 state parks

The state of Louisiana operates 20 state parks that begin near the state’s northern border with Arkansas and extend south to a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. You will find a state park conveniently located near all of Louisiana’s major cities.

sunrise behind cypress tree sun reflection in lake

Chicot State Park

Enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Chicot with native flowers and plants in the arboretum at this central Louisiana State Park.

    large cypress tree with moss in lake bistineau

    Lake Bistineau State Park

    A 27 square mile lake loaded with moss-draped cypress trees. Great fishing, kayaking and camping.

      sunset over lake pontchartrain with moss-covered cypress trees and bare roots along shoreline

      Fontainebleau State Park

      Fountainebleau State Park in Mandeville, only a short 45-minute drive from downtown New Orleans, the state’s most visited park.

        trees line shoreline of toledo bend reservoir with fishing boat in distance in late afternoon sunlight

        Toledo Bend State Parks

        Toledo Bend Reservoir was created in the 1960’s on the Sabine River and is the fifth largest man-made lake in the United States.

          orange sky and still lake water and view of cypress trees after sunset

          Poverty Point Reservoir

          Sunsets at this state park are amazing, and the best place to watch is from the back porch of one of the state park cabins that sit above the man-made lake.

            Jimmie Davis State Park

            This north Louisiana state park is famous for its record-sized catches of bass. The clear waters of Caney Lake are also great for swimming and water sports

              wooden bench near the shorline of pond surrounded by trees Bogue Chitto State Park

              Bogue Chitto State Park

              Enjoy a float on the river, camping, horseback riding, hiking and extreme bike trails.

                cabin floating on the water in Bayou Segnette State Park Louisiana

                Bayou Segnette State Park

                Sleep in a cabin floating on the water on the edge of the marsh.

                  setting sun through cypress trees in Lake Bruin State Park Louisiana

                  Lake Bruin State Park

                  A hot spot for fishing from a boat or long fishing pier, and a great place to enjoy beautiful sunsets.

                    suspention bridge in forest over river in Tickfaw State Park

                    Tickfaw State Park

                    A great place for nature lovers to explore a variety of Louisiana habitats from pine forests to boardwalks over a river swamp.

                      giant cypress tree with large hollow in trunk in bayou water at Chemin-a-Haut State Parkin Louisiana

                      Chemin-a-Haut State Park

                      Louisiana’s first state park featuring the “Castle Tree”, a nearly 1,000 year old cypress giant.

                        tall grass with dew and morning sun at pond at Palmetto Island

                        Palmetto Island State Park

                        A south Louisiana treasure where you can canoe, kayak or hike in a jungle-like environment.

                          long fising pier through wooded shoreline extends far over water of Lake D'arbonne

                          Lake D’Arbonne

                          Enjoy north Louisian’s hill country with fishing, camping and hiking.

                            giant cypress tree in the water at Lake Fausse Pointe

                            Lake Fausse Pointe

                            This southern LA state park puts you in America’s Great Atchafalaya Basin Swamp.

                              bicycler flies above several jump features on mountain bike trails in Bogue Chitto State Park Louisiana

                              Mountain Bike Trails

                              Take the challenge on these extreme mountain bike trails at Bogue Chitto State Park.

                                gravel hiking trail along creek surrounded by autumn color trees backlit by afternoon sun hike Bogue Chitto State Park Louisiana

                                Hiking the Gorge

                                The 5.5 mile long Gorge Run Trail loops through pine-covered hillside and river lowlands.

                                  boardwalk through yellow wildflowers and cypress swamp in Louisiana Arboretum at Chicot State Park

                                  Louisiana State Arboretum

                                  Chicot State Park is home to the state arboretum with miles of nature trails and seasonal wild flowers.

                                    Kayak in tree covered Lake Chicot State Park Louisiana

                                    Chicot Canoe Trails

                                    The large cypress tree filled lake at Chicot is the perfect place to canoe or kayak.

                                      Trail and bridge over water with trees

                                      Sam Houston Jones State Park

                                      After two years of hurricane cleanup, this state park is open with new upgraded cabins and campground.

                                        state parks stargazing milky way reflected in still water of lake at North Toledo Bend State Park

                                        State Park Stargazing

                                        Some Louisiana state parks offer a unique opportunity to enjoy a star-filled dark sky.

                                          fishing pier on Gulf of Mexico overlooking sandy beach at Grand Isle State Park with mix of sun and clouds

                                          Grand Isle State Park

                                          Temporarily closed due to Hurricane Ida damage.

                                            2 black cast iron pots dutch oven over log flames

                                            Dutch Oven Cooking

                                            Outdoor cooking demonstrations at Louisiana State Parks.

                                              people on horses cross shallow creek on horse trail ride in Bogue Chitto State Park in Louisiana

                                              Trail Rides

                                              No horse, no problem. Guided trail rides at Bogue Chitto State Park

                                                Great blue heron flying over river

                                                Tchefuncte River Tours at Fairview-Riverside Park

                                                Great wildlife viewing along Tchefuncte River from Fairview-Riverside State Park

                                                  A fram shaped beach pavilion on sand near water at Cypremort Point

                                                  Cypremort Point

                                                  Southern LA state park with sandy beach & fishing near the Gulf of Mexico

                                                    Written by:
                                                    Dave McNamara
                                                    Published on:
                                                    June 24, 2021
                                                    Thoughts:
                                                    4 Comments

                                                    Categories: Staycations

                                                    Reader Interactions

                                                    Comments

                                                    1. Kitty Carlisle

                                                      July 6, 2021 at 1:13 pm

                                                      Would love to have a book “Heart of Louisiana” to travel with

                                                      Reply
                                                      • Dave McNamara

                                                        July 6, 2021 at 2:20 pm

                                                        Thanks Kitty. It’s always a possibility.

                                                        Reply
                                                    2. Susan Merrick

                                                      July 15, 2021 at 8:54 am

                                                      Just saw your report on Lincoln State Park but don’t see it on the map or shown on this site? Any info on where it is? How close is it to Covington? Thanks

                                                      Reply
                                                      • Dave McNamara

                                                        July 15, 2021 at 5:11 pm

                                                        Hi Susan, Lincoln Parish Park is not a State Park. It’s owned & operated by the parish police jury. It is a very nice park. The park is located in Ruston, so it is a bit of a drive from Covington – 200 miles and will take you about 4.5 hours to get there. Not a day trip for you but a very nice campground if you camp. Thanks for watching! Here is the link to the Lincoln Parish Park story: https://heartoflouisiana.com/lincoln-parish-park-thrill-ride/

                                                        Reply

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