Park it

Standard cabin $70/night

Deluxe cabin $90/night

Lodge $125 to $150/night

Group camp price varies

Premium campsite $18 (improved campsite with sewerage or pull-through or prime location)

Improved campsite $16 (water and electrical hookup)

Unimproved campsites $12 (without hookup)

Primitive $1

More information:

For reservations at any of the camps mentioned, call 1-877-CAMP-N-LA (877-226-7652) or visit lastateparks.com. Site lists each state park and includes a summary, map, and list of available facilities.

High gas prices make staying close to home more attractive than ever, which means Louisiana’s State Park system may be the perfect vacation alternative.

“You don’t have to travel far to have a vacation. All that you want and/or need is provided,” says Charles Gauthier of the Office of State Parks. “They have a great family atmosphere, are very clean, have a wide variety of family activities and a low cost to use.”

“We’ve been to some of the parks in surrounding states, and ours are above and beyond,” he says. “Their cabins tend to be very rustic, while ours are nicely furnished with great amenities. Also, we have more recreational activities to offer due to our diverse landscape.”

The system has 20 parks, several of which are only about an hour’s drive (or less) from Baton Rouge. They all provide an array of fun activities as well as comfortable lodging, including RV and tent sites as well as cabins and group camps.

Whether you’re looking to avoid spending too much on fuel, or want simply to get away for a few days of peace and quiet, state parks provide an excellent destination.

Many of the parks offer comfortable, affordable, but limited accommodations, so reservations have to be made months in advance.

Bayou Segnette State Park

Bayou Segnette State Park has numerous RV and tent sites, as well as group cabins; however, it’s the innovative floating cabins that provide the most unique lodging and are a new concept within the park system. The park has plenty of public-use tables and charcoal grills for picnicking, as well as a boat launch giving you access to both fresh and saltwater fishing. With its wonderful nature trails, fully functioning wave pool, and convenient location, it is easy to see why Bayou Segnette is the most visited park in the system.

7777 Westbank Expressway

Westwego

(504) 736-7140 or (888) 677-2296

Take I-10 East towards New Orleans, then Exit 226 to Clearview Parkway South, then to the Huey P. Long Bridge. At the bridge traffic circle, take the second exit onto LA-18 W/US-90 W. Follow US-90 W to merge onto the Westbank Expressway via the ramp to Gretna. You’re there.

Chicot State Park

Quite possibly one of the best parks in Louisiana is Chicot State Park. It has 12 brand-new cabins set on piers in the alluring Lake Chicot, each equipped with a pier for easy access to the park’s world-class fishing. The park also has older modular cabins, numerous RV and tent sites, and a few primitive camping areas scattered throughout. With a swimming pool, boat and canoe rental, boat launch, equestrian trails, canoe trails, and an extensive hiking trail that circles around the lake, there is no shortage of adventuresome activities. Adjoining the park is the highly touted Arboretum, which contains miles of hiking trails coupled with an impressive collection of plant life from across the state.

3469 Chicot Park Rd.

Ville Platte

(337) 363-2403 or (888) 677-2442

Take I-10 West toward Lafayette. Take Exit 103B, merge onto I-49 toward Opelousas and follow I-49 N. Go toward Ville Platte on Exit 40, LA-29. Turn right at Cabot Road, which becomes Indian Hill. Continue on Blue Spring Road, take a slight right onto Indian Hills Road and turn left at LA-3042.

Fairview-Riverside State Park

Having been completely rebuilt following the 2005 hurricanes, the Fairview-Riverside State Park sits on the clear waters of the Tchefuncte River, which is perfect for enjoying a variety of water sports and, due to its proximity to Lake Pontchartrain, yields an impressive variety of fish. Public-use tables and charcoal grills are available for picnicking beneath the beautiful oak trees, and RV and tent sites provide wonderful space for camping. While at the park you can visit the Otis House, an antebellum-style home on the National Register of Historic Places.

119 Fairview Drive

Madisonville

(985) 845-3318 or

(888) 677-3247

Take I-12 toward Hammond, take Exit 57 for LA-1077 toward Goodbee/Madisonville. Turn right at LA-1077, left at St John Street, right at Main Street, left at LA-22/Mulberry Street. Then go left at Fairview Drive; a left, a right and you’re there.

Fontainebleau State Park

Fontainebleau State Park, located just outside of Mandeville on the sandy shores of Lake

Pontchartrain and positioned between bayous Cane and Castine, is home to a diverse ecosystem that can be enjoyed throughout the park.

Fountainebleau has hiking and nature trails, a sandy beach, a new fishing pier, a large area for picnicking and grilling and access to the Tammany Trace trail designed for biking, hiking, and in-line skating. For lodging, the park has 12 newly designed cabins that sit out over Lake Pontchartrain and offer impressive views of the lake. Numerous RV and tent sites are available as well.

67825 Highway 190

Mandeville

(985) 624-4443 or (888) 677-3668

Take I-12 East toward Hammond, then Exit 65 for LA-59 South toward Mandeville. Merge onto LA-59, turn left at Florida Street and right on Highway 1089.

Lake Fausse Pointe State Park

Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, located on the dry side of the scenic Atchafalaya Basin, is the perfect place for canoeing, kayaking, and boating, all of which are available for rental. Well-known for its excellent fishing, the park also provides a boat launch and is equipped with nature trails for hiking as well as a canoe trail. With 16 cabins on the bayou’s edge, larger group cabins, and a variety of RV and tent sites, this park is the ideal place to spend a few days getting acquainted with nature.

5400 Levee Rd.

St. Martinville

(337) 229-4764 or (888) 677-7200

Take I-10 West toward Lafayette, take Exit 109 for LA-328 toward Breaux Bridge, and go left onto LA-328. Take a right at E. Bridge Street, left at LA-31/S. Main Street and another left to continue on LA-31. Turn left at St. John Bridge Road, right at LA-347 and left at St. John Field Road. Take a slight right onto Catahoula Highway, left at Coteau Holmes Highway and left onto Bayou Alexandre Highway. Take a right and then a left to stay on Bayou Alexandre. Turn right onto Levee Road.

St. Bernard State Park

Located just east of New Orleans along the banks of the Mississippi is St. Bernard State Park, which is home to many man-made lagoons that create a serene setting ideal for canoeing, kayaking, or simply relaxing and taking in the scenery. Due to its location, the park offers enticing saltwater and freshwater fishing and is very close to a public boat launch. The park’s nature trail provides excellent hiking and sightseeing, while the swimming pool helps keep you cool, and RV and tent sites make for unforgettable camping.

501 St. Bernard Parkway

Braithwaite

(504) 682-2101 or (888) 677-7823

Take I-10 East to New Orleans until Exit 236B to N. Claiborne Ave. Take a slight left at N. Robertson Street, continue on N. Claiborne Avenue and onto W. Judge Perez Drive. Turn right at Paris Road, left at LA-46/E. St. Bernard Highway and right at St. Bernard Parkway.

Tickfaw State Park

Along the banks of the Tickfaw River sits Tickfaw State Park, which is unique in its combination of ecosystems including forest, swamp, and river, each providing a diverse nature experience. The park has a family-safe splash park, a canoe launch equipped with rentals, an outdoor amphitheater, group hiking excursions, and night hikes for the more adventurous souls. With 14 new cabins that sit on the edge of the enchanting marsh and a large number of RV and tent sites, it’s a wonderful weekend getaway.

27225 Patterson Rd.

Springfield

(225) 294-5020 or (888) 981-2020

Take I-12 East toward Hammond, then Exit 29 for LA-441 toward Holden. Turn right at LA-441, left at LA-42 and right at Hutchinson CC Road. Continue along CC Road, go right at Lilly Road, left at LA-1037 and right at Patterson Road.

Bogue Chitto State Park

The Bogue Chitto State Park—a new park under development and projected to open in June ’09—could be the system’s most impressive park to date due to its variant terrain consisting of river, swamp, and uplands. The park will be located in the hilly uplands just north of Covington, with cabins overlooking a 200-foot bluff as well as RV and tent sites in both the uplands and bottomlands of the park. With a beach pavilion, canoe launch, amphitheater, play area, splash park, and seven miles of equestrian trails, there will be no shortage of activities.