Explore Louisiana State Parks

Park Pass & Fees

Louisiana state parks charge a modest $1–$3 per person entry fee (children 3 and under free, seniors 62+ free). Camping fees range from $18–$33/night. Cabins are available at 11+ parks and are extremely popular. Lodge accommodations are available at select parks. Reservations can be made up to 13 months in advance and are highly recommended for cabins, especially during peak season.

Parks by Region

North Louisiana

Lake Bistineau State Park offers excellent fishing on an ancient cypress-studded reservoir. Poverty Point Reservoir State Park surrounds a 2,700-acre reservoir with modern cabins and outstanding bass fishing. Lake D’Arbonne State Park provides pine forest camping and fishing near Monroe. Chemin-A-Haut State Park sits atop scenic bluffs overlooking Bayou Bartholomew.

Central Louisiana — Cajun Country

Chicot State Park — one of Louisiana’s largest parks at 6,400 acres — features the Louisiana State Arboretum (the oldest in the state), miles of trails, and a 2,000-acre lake. Sam Houston Jones State Park near Lake Charles showcases the confluence of three rivers flowing through old-growth forest with elevated boardwalks and cabins among the pines. Lake Fausse Pointe State Park offers paddle-in camping and canoe trails deep into the Atchafalaya Basin swamp.

Greater New Orleans & Southeast

Fontainebleau State Park on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain is the most visited park, with a sandy beach, nature trails, and ruins of a sugar plantation. St. Bernard State Park near New Orleans provides quick nature escape from the city. Fairview-Riverside State Park on the Tchefuncte River offers live oak-shaded camping.

Southwest Louisiana

Grand Isle State Park — Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island park — offers Gulf fishing, birding, and beach camping on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a premier fishing destination for redfish, speckled trout, and tarpon.

Best Parks by Activity

Best for Fishing

• Grand Isle State Park — Gulf saltwater fishing
• Poverty Point Reservoir SP — Trophy bass fishing
• Lake Bistineau State Park — Cypress-studded reservoir
• Lake D’Arbonne State Park — North Louisiana bass

Best for Swamp & Bayou Experience

• Lake Fausse Pointe State Park — Atchafalaya Basin paddle-in camping
• Sam Houston Jones State Park — Elevated boardwalks through cypress
• Chicot State Park — Arboretum and swamp trails
• Palmetto Island State Park — Cajun wetland boardwalks

Best for Cabin Stays

• Chicot State Park — Lakeside cabins with great fishing
• Sam Houston Jones State Park — River cabins on stilts
• Fontainebleau State Park — Lake Pontchartrain cabins
• Lake Fausse Pointe State Park — Bayou-side cabins

Best for Families

• Fontainebleau State Park — Beach, trails, historic ruins
• Sam Houston Jones State Park — Boardwalk exploration
• Chicot State Park — Nature center and arboretum
• Grand Isle State Park — Beach and fishing pier

Best Time to Visit

FAQs

How much does it cost to visit Louisiana state parks?

Entry fees are $1–$3 per person at most parks. Seniors 62+ and children under 3 enter free. Camping and cabins are separate.

Can I camp in a swamp in Louisiana?

Yes! Lake Fausse Pointe State Park in the Atchafalaya Basin offers paddle-in tent camping on platforms surrounded by cypress swamp — a truly unique experience.

What is the best fishing park in Louisiana?

Grand Isle State Park is premier for saltwater fishing. For freshwater, Poverty Point Reservoir and Lake Bistineau offer excellent bass and crappie.

Are Louisiana state park cabins popular?

Very! Cabins at popular parks book 6–12 months in advance. Reserve early, especially for spring and fall weekends.

Start Your Louisiana Adventure

Louisiana’s 21 state parks deliver an outdoor experience you won’t find in any other state — paddle through Spanish moss-draped swamps, fish for Gulf tarpon from a barrier island, and fall asleep in a cabin perched over a bayou. Laissez les bons temps rouler!