Looking to skip the crowds at Chicot and Fontainebleau? Louisiana has 21 state parks, and some of the best ones fly completely under the radar.
Palmetto Island State Park
Want to feel like you’ve stepped into a jungle without leaving Louisiana? Palmetto Island does exactly that. This 1,300-acre park near Abbeville opened in 2010 and still feels like a secret.
The Vermilion River cuts through the property. You can rent canoes by the hour and paddle through narrow channels lined with palmetto trees and cypress. The water playground keeps kids busy while you figure out where to set up camp.
Six cabins sleep up to eight people. They’re tucked in the woods with basic cookware and linens included. The 96 RV sites give you more options if cabins book up.
The park sits on the Mississippi Flyway. Bring binoculars in spring and fall when migratory birds pass through. The .7-mile Cypress Trail gives you a close look at the swamp ecology without needing a boat.
Abbeville is 15 minutes away. Stop at Shucks! for oysters or hit the Giant Omelette Celebration if you’re visiting in November.
Chemin-A-Haut State Park
This 503-acre park sits on a bluff overlooking Bayou Bartholomew in northern Louisiana. The name means “high road” in French.
Chemin-A-Haut was designed for families. Two playgrounds, a wading pool, and a seasonal swimming pool (Memorial Day through Labor Day) give kids plenty to do. The swimming pool alone makes this worth the drive on a hot day.
Kayak rentals are available by the hour or day. Bayou Bartholomew holds over 115 fish species. That’s one of the highest counts in North America. Cast a line from the bank or paddle out to find your spot.
The park has 26 campsites with water and electricity. Cabins range from basic units near the day-use area to secluded waterfront options on the bayou. An eight-mile equestrian trail runs through the property if you bring your own horse.
The 2.9-mile Camp Trail takes you to a centuries-old cypress tree nicknamed the Castle Tree. Cell service is sketchy here. That’s the point.
Bastrop is 10 miles south. Granny’s Family Restaurant serves fried chicken and pecan cobbler. The Snyder Museum occupies a 1929 Craftsman home and covers northeast Louisiana history.
Poverty Point Reservoir State Park
This park near Delhi centers on a 2,700-acre man-made lake. Eight waterfront cabins stand on stilts over the water. Four lodges with loft bedrooms sleep up to 10 people.
The reservoir sits on the Mississippi Flyway. Cormorants, ducks, geese, and pelicans rotate through depending on season. The half-mile trail along Bayou Macon gives you the best vantage point for spotting them.
Louisiana black bears live in this park. Bear-proof containers are scattered around the campsites. Store your food properly and you’ll be fine.
Fishing runs year-round for largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish. The north marina has a swimming beach with grills and picnic tables. More than 50 RV campsites spread across the south end of the property.
The campground has a water playground. Bathrooms and showers stay cleaner than you’d expect at a state park. Sites aren’t crammed together.
Ancient Native American mounds dot the park grounds. The tallest reaches 13 feet and dates back 1,000 to 2,000 years. Poverty Point World Heritage Site is 15 minutes away if you want to see the full 72-foot Mound A.
Black Bear Golf Course borders the park. It’s on Louisiana’s Audubon Golf Trail if you need a break from hiking and fishing.
Making the Trip
All three parks cost $3 per person to enter. Reserve cabins and campsites through the Louisiana State Parks website at least 48 hours ahead. Weekends fill up fast in spring and fall.
Palmetto Island works best for Cajun Country exploration. Chemin-A-Haut gives you the most family-friendly setup. Poverty Point delivers if you want serious fishing and birdwatching.
Pack bear spray for Poverty Point. Bring bug spray for all three. Louisiana mosquitoes don’t care that you’re on vacation.
These parks don’t show up on tourist lists. That keeps them quiet even during peak season. Visit before everyone else figures it out.
