Chicot State Park

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 freshwater catches of largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and red-ear sunfish. Fishermen will enjoy the convenient boathouse, three boat launches and boat rental facilities.

An extensive hiking/backpacking trail completely encircles Lake Chicot and includes several primitive campsites along the way. The hiking trails allow visitors 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.

The South Landing includes cabins, a group camp, picnic areas and playground, a water playground, a boat launch, a fishing pier and a dock with rental boats. A scenic road links the South Landing with the North Landing.

The North Landing features campsites, a boat launch, a dock, a 400 ft. fishing pier and a primitive group-camping area. Lodges also are located in this area.

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 room and a barbeque pavilion, which makes this area ideal for day visitors.

The Louisiana State Arboretum, now located within Chicot State Park, is home to a magnificent mature beech-magnolia forest and features an outdoor classroom and several miles of nature trails with labeled plant life native to Louisiana.

Trails At Chicot State Park:

20-mile hiking trail
8-mile canoe trail

On-Site Activities:

Water Playground - Louisiana State Parks' water playgrounds operate Tuesdays through Sundays, April 1 through October 31, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the facilities will be closed on Mondays for cleaning and maintenance. Please contact the park directly, to confirm that the playground is open or for additional information.

Birding

A Birder's Guide to Louisiana gives directions to over 100 areas for birding throughout the state, includes maps, Louisiana specialties, and contains beautiful photography and checklists of Louisiana birds and other wildlife. The Guide was produced through a partnership between the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area and the American Birding Association.