Are you looking for the best state parks in Louisiana? You have come to the right place!
Situated on the Gulf of Mexico to the south and having 4,600 square miles of inland waters including the Mississippi River, these state parks of Louisiana are the perfect places for a getaway! Whether you are looking for an outdoor family vacation spot, a peaceful weekend retreat, Louisana state parks with cabins, or the best places to view a sunset over the water, these state parks are the place for you!
Swamps, Spanish moss, and typically warm weather make Louisiana a perfect place to plan a vacation. Louisiana is a large state, so be prepared to travel between these LA state parks, but with options for everyone you will not regret planning a trip. From family-friendly vacations to wonderful outdoor hikes, there is something for everyone!
Pull out your camera, pack your sunscreen, bathing suit, and hiking gear, and let’s take a trip to 14 beautiful state parks in Louisiana!
11 Best State Parks in Louisiana You Must Visit
Chicot State Park
Chicot State Park is 6400 acres of pure beauty. Located near Ville Platte, Louisiana on Lake Chicot, the rolling hills and beautiful water make this one of the best state parks in Louisiana!
26 miles of hiking and biking trails around the lake, wildlife, fishing, boating, and more. This state park is an outdoor lover’s playground! The largest state park in Louisiana, there is no shortage of activities to do while visiting.
This beautiful LA state park is also home to the Louisiana State Arboretum. The oldest state-supported arboretum in the country, hosting 600 acres of diverse natural growth. Opened in 1961, the arboretum is a varied combination of almost all of Louisiana’s vegetation and plenty of wildlife!
Last but certainly not least, this park is where you can find some of the most interesting camping experiences in Louisiana. There are 8 glamping tents available for rental, and peaceful waterfront cabins, some even being over the water! If you are looking for state parks in Louisana with camping, this is the park for you.
Fountainebleau State Park
Fountainebleau State Park is located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, just a 45 minute drive across the lake from New Orleans near Mandeville! This 2800 acre state park of Louisiana is the perfect spot to watch the sunset or relax on the beautiful sandy beach and watch the sailboats float by!
For the adventurous, there are over 4 miles of hiking trails and a beautiful nature trail where you are bound to spot plenty of wildlife. Hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and more await you at Fountainebleau State Park, making this one of the best state parks in Louisiana.
Once home to a sugar cane plantation, the founder of Mandeville, Bernard de Marigny de Mandeville, built the sugar mill in 1829, and the ruins still stand today! This state park is full of history and stories to be told. Take time to visit the two historical markers, one noting the place where slave cabins once stood, and one in memory of the Native Americans who inhabited the land before European settlement.
If you are looking for cabins in Louisiana state parks, this is the place for you. Premium RV camping, primitive camping, and even 10 glamping tents, there is something for everyone. The lakefront cabins are also a must when visiting, giving uninterrupted views of the lake!
At the time of writing this, the cabins at Fountainebleau State Park are closed due to damage from Hurricane Ida. The campgrounds are reopened with hopes that the cabins will be operational soon!
Bogue Chitto State Park
Opened in 2010, Bogue Chitto is a fairly new state park in Louisiana. Located south of Franklinton, the name translates to ‘big creek’ in the Choctaw language. 1785 acres of swamps, streams, forest, and rolling landscape, located on the Bogue Chitto River, there is plenty to see and do when visiting.
Fricke’s Cave, a gorge with sandstone spires, is a must-see. The 7 mile Gorge Run trail will lead you here. There is also a river overlook trail, giving you a wonderful view of the river with a place to rest and take in the views! One of the best state parks in Louisiana, this park is perfect for the outdoor lover!
Tubing and swimming are summer favorites here! The river is also the perfect place for fishing, kayaking, and soaking up the sun. Over 14 miles of equestrian trails, horse rentals, 4 miles of bike trails, and even disc golf, there is something for everyone at this LA state park!
If you are looking for cabins in Lousiana state parks, the deluxe cabins here overlooking beautiful bluffs are a great option. For an even more unique experience, there are 11 glamping tents for rent, or you can choose from the premium campsites and even a lodge that sleeps 14!
Jimmie Davis State Park
Jimmie Davis State Park, located in Chatham on Lake Caney, has some of the best beaches in northern Louisiana. This is the perfect LA state park to visit in the summer for all of the outdoor activities.
Two boat launches make the lake a perfect place to take out your watercraft for fishing or waterskiing. The beaches are a wonderful place to spend a hot summer day at this state park in Louisiana. There are also hiking trails and even a water playground for the kids!
If you are looking for a state park in Louisiana with camping, look no further. 10 glamping tents make the most unique getaway! There are 6 single tents and 2 group sites with 2 tents each for friends and family to stay together. There is a lodge for group travel, and 19 incredible waterfront cabins available for rent as well!
A 5000 acre reservoir surrounded by woodlands and incredible scenery, this is one of the best state parks to visit in Lousiana!
Grand Isle State Park
If a beach vacation is what you are looking for, Grand Isle State Park is the LA state park for you! Located between the Gulf of Mexico and several inland channels, with Grand Isle being the only inhabited inland channel in the area.
Fishing is the thing to do at this state park in Louisiana, especially in the spring and summer! It is known as one of America’s best fishing spots, and has over 300 species of fish to catch! You can use this state park as your launching point for excellent deep sea fishing, or fish off the 900 foot boardwalk!
When traveling south towards Grand Isle, you will have to go through a toll bridge and are able to pay this with cash. The toll is a small price to pay to make it to this beautiful state park in Lousiana!
Along with fishing and a boardwalk, there is also an observation tower to give you incredible views of the beach and park. The best part of Grand Isle may be the 14 available beach campsites! Fish, swim, hike, and end the night with a sunset at your campsite.
At the time of writing this, Grand Isle State Park is closed until further notice due to damage from Hurricane Ida. Please check with the Lousiana State Parks website to inquire on reopening before planning a visit!
Lake Bistineau State Park
Located outside of Shreveport, Lake Bistineau State Park is on the western shore Lake Bistineau which was formed from flooding due to a log jam, of all things! The state park in Lousiana has plenty to do on any length trip. This is just one of the many fun things to do in Shreveport you must see!
One of the best state parks in Louisiana with camping, there are plenty of options. RV camping, group camping, and even deluxe cabins, there is something for everyone! The scenery is beautiful, with open waters and hardwood forest, finding something to admire on your stay shouldn’t be hard.
For the hiker, there are over 10 miles of woodland trails to explore! Open water, disc golf, trails, and a hardwood forest to explore, there is no lack of adventure. This reservoir also offers an 11-mile canoe trail, with a canoe, kayak, and boat rentals available on site!
Fairview-Riverside State Park
If you like history, you will love Fairview-Riverside State Park. This state park in Louisiana is located in Madisonville on the Tchefuncte River. North of Lake Pontchartrain, and only an hour from New Orleans by car, this is the perfect LA state park for a day trip from the French Quarter!
This beautiful state park in Louisiana is where you will find the Otis House. Built in the 1880s, this house was home to sawmill own William Theodore Jay. Frank Otis purchased this house in the 1930s to renovate and when he died in 1962, he left it to the state. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Make sure to check this out on your visit!
A beautiful historic home is not all you will find here. There is also wonderful freshwater fishing, 2 miles of a boardwalk nature trail, and plenty of accommodations. With campsites and pavilion rentals, this state park is a perfect place to spend an afternoon or even a long weekend!
Often called one of Louisiana’s best kept secrets, this is definitely one of the best LA state parks to visit!
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
Located in two parishes, Iberia and St. Martin, Lake Fausse Pointe State Park is 6000 acres of diverse landscapes. The park is surrounding a former homesite of the Chitimacha Tribe of Native Americans in the middle 1700s. It was dominated by French and Acadian farmers and trappers. It was under Spanish control from 1763 to 1802. This all caused cultural diversity in the area.
From glamping tents, deluxe cabins right on the water, premium campsites, waterfront camping, canoe campsites, backcountry camping, and primitive camping, there is a place to stay for everyone. With plenty of family-friendly activities, this beautiful state park in Lousiana is the place to visit. Fishing is plentiful in the area and there is also a boat and canoe launch that leads to a labyrinth of waterways through the basin including a 7-mile canoe trail.
If boating and fishing aren’t enough, there is also a water playground and 3 hiking trails. This LA state park is a great starting point for the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest river swamp in the United States. Elevated boardwalks throughout the park allow you to keep your shoes dry and take in the views. A beautiful state park in Lousiana, Lake Fausse is the perfect state park for your getaway.
Lake Claiborne State Park
Do you enjoy disc golf? If so, then Lake Claiborne State Park is the perfect place for you. The number 1 and 2 disc golf courses in the state are found here, along with plenty of other outdoor activities!
A beautiful state park in Lousiana, Lake Claiborne has a 6400-acre lake with a beach. The beach is located on an inlet and no boats are allowed in the area, making for a perfect place to relax for the afternoon! These sandy beaches are a perfect place to cool off during a hot Louisiana summer. There is also fishing, boating, and waterskiing available on the lake.
The park also offers bird watching and plenty of wildlife. You can view all of these on the over 10 miles of trails or even the scenic overlook. Staying overnight in the park will give you the opportunity to experience everything Lake Claiborne has to offer. There are large cabins, glamping tents, premium campsites, and even primitive camping to choose from. Located in Homer, Lousiana, there is plenty to do in the area during your stay!
Palmetto Island State Park
Palmetto Island State Park, located in Abbeville is one of the best state parks in Louisiana! On the Vermilion River, this is a wonderful park to visit for an authentic outdoor experience.
If you are looking for a Louisiana state park with cabins, this is the perfect park for you. 6 cabins that sleep up to 8 people, located in the trees, or if campsite and RV camping is your thing there are 96 available sites.
On the river, you will find a boat launch leading to river for fishing and spending the afternoon on the boat. There are also lagoons near the river offering canoeing and kayaking, and plenty of palmetto plants for you to see! You won’t have to question where the park got its name. You can also spend the afternoon hiking or strolling along nature trails, to spot birds and other wildlife!
Bayou Segnette State Park
One of the most unique state parks in Louisiana, Bayou Segnette is the perfect place for a day trip or extended getaway! Located in Westwego, just 15 minutres outside of New Orleans, this is the perfect state park to add to your list of places to visit.
Floating cabin rentals are one of the main reasons for a overnight stay here. If you are looking for state parks in Lousiana with camping, this is a great option, especially if you want to spend time in New Orleans. Access to salt and freshwaster fishing also make this LA state park a huge hit!
A 2.8 mile nature trail will let you take in the sights and the wave pool is a perfect way for the entire family to cool off on those warm Lousiana nights!