Louisiana might only have 21 state parks, but many of them rank as some of the most beautiful, historical and culturally significant public recreational areas in the whole of the USA.
Managed by the Office of Lieutenant Governor, which is a division of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, these state parks provide wonderful opportunities to experience the joys of the great outdoors.
If you are into fishing, swimming or recreational water sport activities like canoeing and kayaking, numerous rivers, lagoons, swamps, bayous and lakes will serve as your playground.
Those who love hiking, backpacking or biking can explore miles of trails that will take you through lush hills, verdant marshlands and dense forest. Much of which contains some of the best conditions for birdwatching in the country. As well as sites and landmarks that showcase over 1750 years of the park’s history.
If you live in and around the city of Lake Charles, all of Louisiana’s state parks can be easily accessed. Should you need inspiration of where to go, this list of 5 State Parks near Lake Charles will provide some great options.
Map of State Parks Near Lake Charles, LA
Here is a map of the state parks in Louisiana covered by this post:
List of State Parks Near Lake Charles
All of these five state parks near Lake Charles can easily be reached within a journey time of around 3 hours. So they are all excellent places to visit on a day trip. However if you would like to stay for a couple of nights or more they all offer various camping options.
1. Sam Houston Jones State Park
Distance from Lake Charles: about 5 miles northwest of Lake Charles (straight-line).
Location: Sam Houston Jones State Park Road, Louisiana 70669
Sam Houston Jones State Park is a park near the city of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, in southwestern Louisiana (USA), located where the Houston River joins the Calcasieu River and Indian Bayou.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include rental cabins.
See our full Sam Houston Jones State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Village Creek State Park
Distance from Lake Charles: about 56 miles west of Lake Charles (straight-line).
Location: 8854 Park Rd 74
Lumberton, TX 77657
Village Creek State Park is a 2,466-acre (998 ha) state park in the Piney Woods of eastern Texas in the Hardin County city of Lumberton.
Highlights associated with Village Creek State Park include beach access, river access, and wooded landscapes.
See our full Village Creek State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Sea Rim State Park
Distance from Lake Charles: about 63 miles southwest of Lake Charles (straight-line).
Location: Port Arthur, TX
Trusted Guide to Texas’s Gulf Coast Wilderness – Updated 2025.
Highlights associated with Sea Rim State Park include beach access, lake recreation, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include a campground, rental cabins, and RV sites with hookups.
See our full Sea Rim State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Chicot State Park
Distance from Lake Charles: about 68 miles northeast of Lake Charles (straight-line).
Location: 3469 Chicot Park Rd, Ville Platte, LA 70586
Situated a 90 minute drive northwest of Lake Charles, the Chicot State Park encompasses over 6,400 acres of stunning rolling hillsides and cool, clear waters.
Centered around picturesque Lake Chicot, the park is a noted spot for fishing, with the likes of crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, and red-ear sunfish all being available in abundance.
Anglers are provided with three boat launches and a boathouse, and there are also boat rental facilities too if you don’t have your own.
Aside from fishing, the park also has a wonderful hiking, biking and backpacking trail that showcases its gorgeous natural landscape of hardwood forest, whilst completely circling the perimeter of the lake.
The lake itself is also a popular spot for swimming, canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding.
Within the park there are a number of options for camping including 8 stylish glamping tents and 198 campsites that have water and electrical hookup. In addition, there are also backcountry campsites and primitive camping areas too.
See our full Chicot State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Palmetto Island State Park
Distance from Lake Charles: about 70 miles east of Lake Charles (straight-line).
Location: 19501 Pleasant Road, Abbeville, LA 70510
Cajun Country Swamp Camping Palmetto Island offers camping in authentic Louisiana swampland—Spanish moss, alligators, and Cajun culture near Abbeville!
Highlights associated with Palmetto Island State Park include river access, island scenery, and old-growth forest.
See our full Palmetto Island State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
