Cypress tupelo swamp, streams, hardwood forest, and a scenic river surround Bogue Chitto State Park in Washington Parish, only 64 miles north of New Orleans. This picturesque 1,786 acre public recreational area features riverside activities, campgrounds, cabins, and miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Bogue Chitto,‘Big Creek’ in Native Choctaw, attracts visitors with the allure of tubing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, glamping, camping, picnicking, and bird watching.
Nearby Lodging Options
Here are some great nearby hotels and Airbnb options for staying near the park:
Activities
This wild and interesting Louisiana state park offers a perfect escape. Pack up your overnight bags and prepare to: Spend a couple of nights tucked up in the campground nestled along the river or maybe in one of the rustic cabins overlooking the bluffs.
That’s a great way to relax after spending the day floating downstream, exploring Fricke’s Cave, taking a guided horseback ride, fishing, playing a round of Disc Golf, and enjoying a shaved ice treat from the Snowball stand after cooling off in the water park.
Here are some of the many activities that you can do during your visit to Bogue Chitto State Park:
Boating at Bogue Chitto State Park
Canoe, kayak, or tube along the scenic river inside Bogue Chitto State Park. If you don’t have your own you can rent tubes, kayaks, and canoes from the park’s concessionaire.
Swimming at Bogue Chitto State Park
Between May and September guests enjoy cooling off in the water park or floating down the river inside Bogue Chitto State Park. Both of these fun options are very popular!
If you don’t have your own tubes you can rent them inside the park. Just get a ride upriver and then float back into the park. And on your way back downstream you can stop off in one of the many hidden sandbars along the way. These shaded soft white sandy beach areas are ideal for having a picnic.
Or if you’d rather sit in the pool, then check out the 200-foot long water park. It features waterfalls, waterspouts, waterslides (for little kids), and a separate playground area. Whichever option you choose, just remember to apply lots of sunscreen!
Hiking at Bogue Chitto State Park
Bogue Chitto State Park’s 21 miles of nature trails wind throughout the hardwood forest, over small streams and other wetlands and out to the river and lakes. Many of the trails are shared with mountain bikes or horseback riders.
Here are a couple of the trails at Bogue Chitto State Park:
- Gorge Run Trail – A moderate 5.1-mile trail. This highly popular trail begins in the day-use area and leads through the woodlands, up a few steep hills, and along the creek. The Discover Nature Interpretive Trail and the River Overlook Trail branch off of this trail.
- The River Trail – Easy 2.2 mile trail that winds through the peaceful woodlands and out to the river.
Biking at Bogue Chitto State Park
Don’t forget to pack your mountain bike! Bogue Chitto State Park features close to 21 miles of trails. Seven miles of those are designated for mountain bike use.
Here are a couple of popular mountain bike trails:
- The Bird Dog Trail – A moderate 1.4 mile singletrack trail.
- The Zephyr Trail – Moderate 2.5-mile loop that climbs up hilly sections through the hardwoods and along the creek.
Horseback Riding at Bogue Chitto State Park
14 miles of bridle trails wind throughout the hardwood forest and wetlands inside Bogue Chitto State Park. Trails and an Equestrian Campground are available for guests who bring their own horses, an additional fee does apply for trail access and camping. Guests must also provide a negative Coggins report for each horse that is brought into the park.
For all other visitors interested in riding, Bogue Chitto Horse Rentals offers public or private guided rides. In addition to the horses, they also provide any needed riding gear.
Fishing at Bogue Chitto State Park
Be sure to bring your angling gear with you and take advantage of the prime fishing opportunities provided inside Bogue Chitto State Park. With 11 lakes, a creek, and a river, it’s a good chance you’ll catch plenty of bass and crappie.
You’ll just have to decide whether to fish from the pier or from your canoe. The sloughs along the river are excellent for catching gar and catfish, just be aware of alligators! And be sure to pick up a Louisiana fishing license ahead of time.
Birding at Bogue Chitto State Park
Bogue Chitto State Park’s trails, campground areas, and along each of the 11 lakes provide guests with prime bird viewing opportunities, especially early in the morning. Check out A Birder’s Guide to Louisiana before heading into the park for an idea of which birds you may see.
Discover Falcons, Gulf Sturgeons, Swallow-tailed Kites, Great Blue Herons, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Brown-headed Nuthatches, Bachman’s Sparrows, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Prairie Warblers, Long-tailed Ducks, Summer Tanagers, Eastern Bluebirds, Mourning Doves, and Blue Jays during your visit.
Nature and Wildlife at Bogue Chitto State Park
Birds, deer, squirrels, rabbits, gopher tortoise, raccoons, gazelles, sables, foxes, otters, wild hogs, armadillos, coyotes, alligators, and more may be observed within Bogue Chitto State Park. The park’s wetlands surrounded by picturesque Spanish Oaks make this a prime habitat for many wildlife species.
Pets at Bogue Chitto State Park
Well behaved pets are allowed at Bogue Chitto State Park but should be supervised and kept on a leash. Pets are not permitted inside park buildings, including cabins.
Camping at Bogue Chitto State Park
Spend a peaceful evening under the stars inside Bogue Chitto State Park. The park features several camping options – RV campground, Glamping, group camping area, Equestrian campground – plus cabins, and 2 group lodges.
The main campground area has 2 RV camping sections, one with 46 premium sites (electric, water and sewer), and the other with 53 premium sites (water and electric) plus 81 premium campsites (water and electric; several also have sewer hookups) for tents, campers, or RVs.
Many of these campsites lie nestled along the water’s edge. All campsites have a picnic table, bbq grill, and a fire ring and are located near restrooms and showers.
The separate Equestrian Campground features 100 campsites, with space for RVs and trailers. Each campsite has a picnic table, grill, fire ring, and horse tie-ups. A common area with a water trough lies within the campground and near the bridle trails.
A short distance from the main campground area and overlooking the bluffs lies 4 deluxe cabins. Each cabin can accommodate up to 8 guests with 1 queen bed, 2 bunk beds, and a sleeper sofa. Cabins also have a bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, dining area, living room, cable TV, and a fireplace. No linens are provided.
Upland Lodge, located near the cabins and also overlooking the bluff, sleeps up to 14 with 2 queen beds, 4 bunk beds, and a sleeper sofa. This rustic lodge has a fully equipped kitchen, living room area with a fireplace and cable TV, and a screened-in porch with a view of the bluff.
For larger groups of up to 52 people, the Group Camp Lodge is a good choice. This large building features 2 dormitories with bunk beds and bathrooms plus a full commercial-sized kitchen, large dining room and a common area. Linens are provided.
Park Location
Bogue Chitto State Park
17049 State Park Blvd
Franklinton, LA 70438
Phone: 985.839.5707
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Bogue Chitto State Park:
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