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Louisiana
11

Louisiana State Parks

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USA Parks
Louisiana
Cajun Country Region
Chicot State Park
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Chicot State Park © Susan Touchet
Chicot State Park cypress tree lichens © Eric Landreneau
red lichens on the bark of a cypress tree in a cove near south landing
Chicot State Park © Susan Touchet
Chicot State Park Lake Chicot © Lisa Bailey
Chicot State Park Chicot Lake © Heath Fontenot
This is the view from the primitive campsite along the canoe trail.
Chicot State Park Rental Boats © Lisa Bailey
Rental boats at Chicot State Park.
Chicot State Park water moccasin © Eric Landreneau
water moccasin climbs a tupelo gum tree and enters a cavity.
Chicot State Park butterfly 2 © Eric Landreneau
butterfly visits flower on the island of flowers between south landing and area 2 or east landing
Chicot State Park butterfly 3 © Eric Landreneau
butterfly visits flowers on the island of flowers between south landing and area 2 east landing.
Chicot State Park cove 8 © Eric Landreneau
series of photos from a particular cove that are overlapping.
Chicot State Park island of flowers © Eric Landreneau
a mat of weeds with flowers and butterflies.
Chicot State Park © Eric Landreneau
water moccasin climbs a tupelo gum tree and enters a cavity.
Chicot State Park cove 7 © Eric Landreneau
series of photos from a particular cove that are overlapping.
Chicot State Park butterfly 1 © Eric Landreneau
butterfly visits flowers on the island of flowers between south landing and area 2 east landing.
Chicot State Park moon thru cypress © Eric Landreneau
view of the moon through cypress tree near the east end of the lake.
Chicot State Park fallen tree near north landing © Eric Landreneau
Chicot State Park cove 3 © Eric Landreneau
series of photos from a particular cove that are overlapping.
Chicot State Park cove 4 © Eric Landreneau
series of photos from a particular cove that are overlapping.
Chicot State Park cove 6 © Eric Landreneau
series of photos from a particular cove that are overlapping.
Chicot State Park cove 5 © Eric Landreneau
series of photos from a particular cove that are overlapping.
Chicot State Park slot bass © Eric Landreneau
slot bass caught on olive green jig between those trees
Chicot State Park cove 1 © Eric Landreneau
series of photos from a particular cove that are overlapping.
Chicot State Park butterfly 5 © Eric Landreneau
butterfly visits flowers on the island of flowers between south landing and area 2 east landing.
Chicot State Park butterfly 6 © Eric Landreneau
butterfly visits flowers on the island of flowers between south landing and area 2 east landing.
Chicot State Park cove 2 © Eric Landreneau
series of photos from a particular cove that are overlapping.
Chicot State Park under walker branch bridge © Eric Landreneau
photo taken while fishing under walker branch bridge
Chicot State Park butterfly 4 © Eric Landreneau
butterfly visits flowers on the island of flowers between south landing and area 2 east landing.
Chicot State Park Canoe Campsite © Heath Fontenot
A primitive campsite along the canoe trail.
Chicot State Park cypress knees © Eric Landreneau
group of cypress knees on the shore from a cove across from new lake cabins.
Chicot State Park © Eric Landreneau
Chicot State Park fishing under walker branch bridge © Eric Landreneau
Chicot State Park north cove blue springs © Eric Landreneau
view of the east side of the north cove near blue springs
Chicot State Park half dead cypress © Eric Landreneau
half dead cypress on the west side of the north cove near blue springs, look for moon.
Chicot State Park blue springs © Eric Landreneau
view of blue springs from the northern cove.
Chicot State Park egret feeding © Eric Landreneau
Chicot State Park Chicot Lake © Heath Fontenot
This is the view from the canoe trail on the north side of the lake
Chicot State Park osprey © Eric Landreneau
osprey on a branch of a dead cypress tree found in a cove across from new lake cabins. cove is blocked by a thick grove of tupelo gum trees.
Chicot State Park Comfortable Cabins © Cecil Fuselier
Lake Cabin
Chicot State Park © Eric Landreneau
Chicot State Park Swamp Area © Lisa Bailey
Swampy area of Lake Chicot South Landing by Loop C.
Chicot State Park Boat Launch © Lisa Bailey
South Landing Boat Launch at Chicot State Park.
Chicot State Park alligator on fallen cypress © Eric Landreneau
alligator on fallen cypress
Chicot State Park RV area © Lisa Bailey
Chicot State Parks RV area in the South Landing Loop C.
Chicot State Park bowfin © Eric Landreneau
bowfin in the net, ready for release
Chicot State Park north landing cove © Eric Landreneau
cypress trees near north landing during draw down for weed control.
Chicot State Park north landing boat dock © Eric Landreneau
view of north landing boat dock during draw down for weed control.
Chicot State Park north landing fishing pier © Eric Landreneau
view of fishing pier during water draw down for weed control.
Chicot State Park morning launch © Eric Landreneau
launching at south landing launch
Chicot State Park north landing launch © Eric Landreneau
launch site at north landing
Chicot State Park north landing fishing pier © Eric Landreneau
view of the fishing pier from the channel north of the pier.
Chicot State Park spillway © Eric Landreneau
spillway located between north landing and area 2 east landing. notice water is about 3 feet from spilling over spillway.
Chicot State Park spillway © Eric Landreneau
spillway between north landing and area 2 east landing.
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CHICOT STATE PARK
CHICOT STATE PARK
3469 Chicot Park Road
Ville Platte, Louisiana   70586

Phone: 888-677-2442
Toll Free: 888-677-2442
Reservations: 888-677-2442
Email: park email button icon
Fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking programs--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.

Hiking trails allow the visitor to experience and enjoy the park's natural landscape.

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 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.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Swimming Beachyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
 Water/Electric Sitesyes
Swimming
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.
Boating
The park offers a wide range of boating options for visitors. There is an extensive 2,000-acre man-made lake that allows both motorized and non-motorized boats. Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities on the water body with rentals available at the boat dock. For those interested in fishing, there's also a boat launch area providing easy access to prime spots where bass, crappie and bluegill can be caught.
Fishing
Enjoy fishing in a 2,000-acre man-made lake stocked with bass, crappie and bluegill. Boat rentals are available for convenience.


Location
Chicot State Park is located near Ville Platte

Picnicking
Picnickers will find a wide choice of beautiful spots to dine. Most of them feature tables, grills and pavilions, and many of the areas overlook the huge lake. Playgrounds will delight the kids after a day at the pool or on the lake.
Bicycling
For biking enthusiasts, a 22-mile trail offers an adventurous ride. Be mindful of the hilly terrain and wildlife encounters.

The path is well-marked but can be challenging due to its length and occasional muddy conditions after rainfalls.

Mountain bikes are recommended for this rugged track; road bicycles may struggle with the uneven surfaces present throughout the route.

Bike rental services aren't available on-site so remember to bring your own equipment or rent one before arriving at this location in Louisiana.

Cyclists should wear helmets as safety precautions since parts of trails have steep descents which could lead to accidents if not careful.

Remember that no night riding is allowed - plan accordingly ensuring you finish up while daylight remains.
Trails
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.
Birding
The park offers over 6,400 acres of natural beauty ideal for birdwatching. It is home to a variety of species including woodpeckers, owls and waterfowl. Bird enthusiasts can explore the extensive trail system or enjoy views from waterfront cabins and campsites. The park's lake attracts numerous migratory birds during spring and fall seasons.
Area 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 magnificent mature beech-magnolia 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 Acadians. Artifacts, exhibits and live demonstrations portray aspects of the unique culture.

Acadian Town of Ville Platte -- (on US 167 and LA 10 north of US 190)--Ville Platte means "flat town" in French. Its strong agrarian and Cajun traditions and cultural influences can still be found in the spoken French, music, and food of the area.

Historic Town of Opelousas -- The Confederate capital of Louisiana during the Civil War, it was also the boyhood home of the legendary Jim Bowie.

Historic Town of Washington --Once the largest steamboat port between New Orleans and St. Louis, the town preserves its 19th-century architecture and offers an antique mall and shops.

Zydeco Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway --Traces the historic towns, musical traditions and culture of the Prairie Acadians.

Liberty Theatre/City of Eunice--(200 W. Park Ave., Eunice)--"Rendez-vous des Cajuns" is a live radio show held every Saturday night featuring Cajun & Zydeco music in the style of the Grand Ole Opry.

Thistlethwaite Wildlife Management Area--(Off I-49 north of Opelousas and southeast of Chicot 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.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
February 18 Worst State Park Ever
park review stars; one to five Narrow hilly roads to nowhere. Bad directions given by office. Did not want to part with a map. Primitive campers are sprinkled among RV Sites. Almost dark when I finally found my campsite. First and last visit.
April 22 First Visit and Will Be Back
park review stars; one to five Loved the park! Good - lots of wildlife, beautiful wooded area and lake with cypress trees. Saw an alligator, two deer, squirrels, turtles, birds. The arboretum is nice if you enjoy horticulture and wildlife. Each site has lined trash can that is picked up daily. Great trails to hike (can be muddy) and walking or biking along streets. Bad - most sites are too close for my comfort, some littering, little park patrol. Fishing for us and for everyone there Easter 2014 weekend was not good. Tried worms, crickets, blue and white lure. Caught two small perch off pier. :(
December 11 We had a great time!
park review stars; one to five Did some primitive camping with friends, really enjoyed the park.
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Directions
Located in northern Evangeline Parish, six miles north of Ville Platte. Coming from the north on I-49, exit on LA 106 south. Turn left off LA 106 onto LA 3042 south, and continue to the main entrance. From the south, exit I-49 on US 167 and drive toward Ville Platte.

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Louisiana
11

Louisiana State Parks

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