Fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking-Chicot has all this and much more. The park covers over 6,400 acres of rolling hills and water in South Central Louisiana. The cool, clear waters of Lake Chicot have yielded record catches of largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and red-ear sunfish. Fishermen will enjoy the convenient boathouse, three boat launches and boat rental facilities.
Chicot also boasts a unique combination of natural resources on land. Mature hardwood uplands and extensive beech-magnolia forest areas add to the beauty of the cypress-tupelo forested lake environment. Large numbers of deer, raccoon and other wildlife live in the surrounding woods. A birding guide to Chicot State Park is also available for bird watchers. The 300-acre Louisiana State Arboretum, an area devoted to a living, natural exhibition of over 150 species of plant life native to Louisiana, is located adjacent to the main entrance.
Swimming is a pleasure at the Olympic-sized pool on the shore of the lake. Open between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, the pool is supervised by certified lifeguards.
Picnickers will find a wide choice of beautiful spots to dine. Most of them feature tables, grills and shelters, and many of the areas overlook the huge lake. Playgrounds will delight the kids after a day at the pool or on the lake.

An extensive hiking/backpacking trail completely encircles Lake Chicot and includes several primitive campsites along the way. The hiking trail allows the visitor to experience and enjoy the park's natural landscape, its bottomland hardwood forest and the lake itself.

For visitors who enjoy a quicker pace, much of the trail is geared toward mountain bikers, and all cyclists are welcome to ride the roadways throughout the park.

Chicot is conveniently located near the center of the state, only a two-hour drive or less from Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles and Alexandria.

Park Areas:

South Landing . The South Landing includes 27 cabins, a group camp, a lodge, two picnic areas, a swimming pool, a boat launch, a fishing pier and a dock with rental boats. All cabins feature air conditioning and heat, an outside table and a grill. The camping area includes 100 spurs with water, electricity and a playground. A scenic road links the South Landing with the North Landing.

North Landing. The North Landing features 100 campsites with water and electricity, a boat launch, a dock- a 400ft. fishing pier and a primitive group-camping area. The conservation lodge is perfect for groups of 15-16 guests, and there are two other three-bedroom facilities (one at North and one at South Landing)with fireplaces that may be reserved for up to nine visitors.

East Landing. The East Landing is accessible from LA 106. It is less developed than the other two areas. It includes a boat launch, a dock, a meeting lodge and a picnic area, which makes this area ideal for day visitors.

Take a trip to Chicot State Park-for the day or for the week. Chicot State Park will be a memorable encounter with an area perfect for recreation and relaxation in a beautiful natural environment.

Nearby Attractions:

Louisiana State Arboretum-(LA Hwy. 3042, one-and-a-half miles from entrance of Chicot State Park)-The Arboretum is the home of a beech-magnolia climax forest and features an outdoor classroom and several miles of nature trails with labeled plant life native to Louisiana.
Prairie Acadian Cultural Center-Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve---(250 W Park Ave., Eunice)-The Center depicts the heritage of the Prairie Arcadians. Artifacts, exhibits and live demonstrations portray aspects of the unique culture.
Thistethwaite Wildlife Management Area -(Off 1-49 north of Opelousas and southeast of State Park)-In this 11,000-acre area of bottomland hardwoods managed for wildlife, visitors may hunt (in season), day-hike, bird-watch and view wildlife.

Office of State Parks
P.O. Box 44426
Baton Rouge, La. 70804-4426
(504) 342-8111 or 1-888-677-1400
http://www.crt.state.la.us

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Cypremore Point
State Park

Catch the wind & bask in the sun here on the water...
Directions/Maps: Regional Area Map (27K) and Park Map (23K)

Location:  306 Beach Lane, Franklin, La. 70538 (Southern Coastal La.) Regional Area Map
Phone: (318) 867-4510  and 1-888-867-4510 (318) 867-4510  and 1-888-867-4510

Sailing, windsurfing, pleasure boating, fishing, swimming, water-skiing -if it's a water-related activity, you can enjoy it at Cypremort Point State Park.
One of Louisiana's finest areas for sailing, the park includes a sand launch designed especially for catamarans, sunfish and windsurfers. As sailboats and windsurfers race across Vermilion Bay, families picnic, sunbathe, play along the beach and enjoy the spectacle.

Between Grand Isle and Cameron, Cypremort Point is the only locality near the Gulf of Mexico that can be reached by car. A half-mile stretch of a man-made beach provides a delightful area for relaxing, picnicking and enjoying the water. It also affords an opportunity for fishing, crabbing, water skiing, windsurfing and, of course, sailing.

Numerous picnic tables, barbecue grills and covered picnic pavilions with nearby restroom facilities and outdoor showers are located throughout the park, adding to Cypremort Point's family appeal.

Go Fish...

A boat launch just outside the park's entrance is only a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico, and fishermen can venture out to fish in the Gulf or Bay. Catches of flounder and redfish are not uncommon in the area. For those interested in fishing from the shore, a 100 foot fishing pier is situated on the Bay.

In addition to excellent sailing and swimming facilities, the 185-acre park also holds a special attraction for nature enthusiasts. Located in the heart of a Louisiana marsh, the site contains an abundance of wildlife. The quiet observer may happen upon nutria, muskrat, alligator or a number of bird species native to the state. Deer, black bear, rabbits, opossum and red fox also make their home in this area, so stay aware of your surroundings and you may discover more of the natural charm of Cypremort Point.

Whether you prefer slicing through the water on the wind, venturing out into the Bay or nearby Gulf for great fishing, quietly watching for the wildlife of the Louisiana marsh to make an appearance, or picnicking with the family, you will enjoy a journey to Cypremort Point-where every day is a day at the beach.

Nearby Attractions:

Longfellow-Evangeline State Commemorative Area (LA Hwy. 31, St. Martinville,)-Situated on the banks of Bayou Teche, this 157-acre park interprets the history of the French-speaking peoples of Louisiana. The park features , Maison Olivier, built circa 1815, and an Acadian Farmstead and house. The visitor may see livestock, crops, kitchen and herbal gardens, living history and interpretive programs, the Visitors Center, a picnic pavilion and an outdoor classroom. Try not to make this more than a brief rest stop…really!
Lake Fausse Point State Park-(18 miles southeast of St. Martinville)-Located at the edge of the Atchafalaya Basin, the park offers 50 improved campsites, 8 Acadian-style waterfront cabins ,with fishing pier, pavilions, picnic tables, a playground and nature and walking trails through woods and swamp. A Conference center is also available.
Plantation Homes along Bayou Teche-The rich and colorful heritage of South Louisiana is kept alive in the stately plantation homes, churches and unique historic structures along Bayou Teche.
Original Swamp Gardens-(725 Myrtle Street, Morgan City) - A guided walking tour through 3.5 acres of natural swamp depicts life in the great Atchafalaya Swamp and native animals such as deer and alligator.

 Office of State Parks
P.O. Box 44426
Baton Rouge, La. 70804-4426
(504) 342-8111 or 1-888-677-1400
http://www.crt.state.la.us

 
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Fontainebleau
State Park

Offers A Setting Fit For A King
Directions/Maps: Regional Area Map (29K) and Park Map (18K)
Campground Maps: Group 1, 2, 3 (69K) and New & Old Sites (43K)

Location: P.O. Box 8925, Mandeville La. 70470  (South Eastern La.)
Phone: (504) 624-4443  and 1-888-677-3668
From the time you stumble upon the ruins of the old sugar mill, drive past the historic oak grove and then discover the vast expanse of Lake Pontchartrain, you'll realize this park is something special.  The crumbling brick ruins of a sugar mill built in 1829 by Bernard de Marigny de Mandeville, founder of the nearby town of Mandeville, suggest an interesting history for this site, and indeed there is. The wealthy Marigny developed this area across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans as a sugar plantation until 1852. The plantation income helped support his lavish lifestyle.
He named his large land holding Fontainebleau after the beautiful forest near Paris, a favorite recreation area of the French kings.

Along the Lakeshore

The day use area of the 2,800-acre park is located on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Numerous picnic sites, complete with tables and grills, and an adjacent pavilion are nestled under the oak trees in sight of the lake. On a clear day, visitors can see the lake dotted with multi-colored sailboats of all sizes and types. Fontainebleau contains a sailboat ramp where sailors may launch small, non-motorized sailboats directly into Lake Pontchartrain.

The sandy beach is a delight for sunbathers, while the nearby swimming pool offers refreshment from the summer heat. Two pavilions are located along both sides of the pool's bathhouse. The pool is open six days a week during the summer. It is closed on Mondays, except holidays.

Large cleared areas next to the picnic sections are handy for sporting events. An old railroad track that runs through the park has been converted into the Tammany Trace as a part of the Rails to 'Trails program. It is a wonderful route for cycling, hiking and in-line skating. The park's nature trail is a favorite of nature lovers. Interpretive signs along the trail will help you identify many of the common trees and shrubs. Always be on the lookout for birds and other animals. Over 400 different species live in and around Fontainebleau. Some species to look for include the endangered red cockaded woodpecker, turkey, opossum, squirrel, mink and other native Louisiana creatures.

The Fontainebleau Birding Guide is a good resource for birding enthusiasts to identify the numerous species found in the area. Bordered on three sides by water-Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou Cane and Bayou Castine-and characterized by a convergence of diverse ecosystems, it has a multitude of habitats for birds. Fontainebleau offers an excellent opportunity for you to discover the wildlife of the marsh, pines, mixed hardwoods, open fields and lake.

Spending the Night...

For the overnight visitor, Fontainebleau has several different types of accommodations:
In the camping area, there are 127 improved campsites with water, electricity and picnic tables at each. An adjacent bathhouse and dump station are also provided.
In addition, there are 180 unimproved campsites and a primitive camping area for those who want to have somewhat more of an outdoor experience; and get a little less of that generator whining sound through out the evening.  We're big on the Primative sites what little solitude one can  find!

The park also offers three group camps:
Camp # 1, which can sleep up to 150 people
Camp # 2, which sleeps 30, are located close together on the beachfront. A nearby swimming pool is available for guests at the group camps.
Camp # 3 is in another part of the park and can accommodate 65 people. An enclosed swimming area and freshwater fishing are available at this camp. All group camps include dormitory sleeping areas and fully equipped kitchens.

There is also a Primitive group camping area which is used by Scouts and other organizations. Located near Camps Number 1 and 2, this area has access to running water and a bathhouse, but no other improvements are provided.

Just across US 190 from the main part of the park is the Fontainebleau Park Lodge. The Lodge includes sleeping facilities for ten people, with a maximum capacity of twelve, as well as a kitchen and two baths.

Near by Attractions:

Fort Pike Commemorative Area, Fairview-Riverside St. Park, St. Bernard St. Park, Bayou Segenette St. Park, Tammany Trace, Pearl River Wildlife Mgt. Area, and New Orleans!

 Office of State Parks
P.O. Box 44426
Baton Rouge, La. 70804-4426
(504) 342-8111 or 1-888-677-1400
http://www.crt.state.la.us

 
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