12 Scenic State Parks In Louisiana To Explore, One For Each Month Of The Year

Louisiana isn't known to see much of that fluffy white stuff, but if you're just dying to see some snow, northern Louisiana state parks are the place to be. Chemin-A-Haut State Park takes on a whole new beauty when covered in snow, don't you think?

January and February are your best months for seeing snow in Louisiana, and Lake Claiborne is a great spot to check out when you're on the hunt for snow. No, that's not sand in the photo above, it's snow! There are several miles of hiking trails to explore within Lake Claiborne State Park, and they're beautiful with or without snow.

March brings the beginning of spring, but it still may be a bit chilly to actually get into the water. Toledo Bend Reservoir is a wonderful natural area for the outdoor explorer. It's so wonderful, in fact, that we have two state parks on its shores! Both North and South Toledo Bend State Park offer endless outdoor adventure, and the water is a prime fishing area. Whether you prefer to traverse the water via a boat, kayak, or an inflatable swan, you're in for a beautiful day.

Chicot State Park is the largest state park in Louisiana, and you'll want to give yourself a few days to explore the full 6,400 acres. The crown jewel here is Lake Chicot, which is a great fishing spot, but it's also a picturesque kayaking area, too. If you'd rather stay on land, then be sure to check out the Louisiana State Arboretum, which is a part of the park. There are several hiking trails within the arboretum with plenty of informational signs along the way so you can learn more about the natural plants/trees here.

We begin to see the start of warmer weather in May, and if you're just itching to get out on the water, Poverty Point State Park is the place to be. The 2,700-acre man-made reservoir is ideal for watersports and it's even a great spot to drop a line and do a little fishing. The waterfront cabins offer the best views, so consider extending your stay and enjoying a morning view like this!

By June, the kids are out of school and you may be looking for outdoor adventures that the entire family can enjoy. Most of the state parks in Louisiana have splash pads, including Palmetto Island State Park. One of the newer parks to Louisiana's state park system, this 1,300-acre oasis opened to the public in 2010 and has been a favorite for folks in Cajun Country.

We're putting this one on the list as wishful thinking, because as of December 2022, Grand Isle State Park remains closed to the public while dealing with damages it sustained from Hurricane Ida in 2021. One of the main reasons to visit Grand Isle in July is the famous Tarpon Rodeo, which is held during the last weekend in July. Dating back to 1928, Grand Isle's Tarpon Rodeo is the oldest fishing tournament in the country, and even if you don't plan on entering the tournament, the island comes alive with people from all over the country.

Keep your fingers crossed and check the park's Facebook page to follow along on the clean-up process.

Trading Gulf beaches for bay beaches, Cypremort Point State Park's beach will have you thinking you're on a Caribbean island. Pull up some sand and watch the sailboats traverse Vermilion Bay, or do a little fishing off the pier. Stick around until sunset, trust us on this one.

Hopping over to Livingston Parish, Tickfaw State Park's labyrinth of hiking trails will show you several different ecosystems within the park, as well as an awesome nature center where you can learn even more about Louisiana's wild side.

Beautiful views and peace and quiet await you at Lake Bistineau State Park, one of the most underrated state parks in Louisiana. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the fall foliage, but you'll want to wait until the end of October for that. Regardless, the 10 miles of hiking trails will take you on an incredibly scenic adventure!

If it's fall foliage you're after, wait until November. Northern Louisiana tends to see more of these vibrant colors, which is why we've chosen Jimmie Davis State Park as the park to visit in November. Nestled on the shores of a massive 5,000-acre reservoir, Jimmie Davis State Park will mesmerize you with its beauty. There are both hiking and biking trails here, and this is a great park to bring your bike and experience the rolling hills of northern Louisiana.

Oh deer, is it December already? Sam Houston Jones State Park is a nature lover's paradise, making it the perfect state park in Louisiana to end the year. You'll have over 1,000 acres to explore, making you feel like you're a million miles away from everything, but still being a hop, skip, and jump away from Lake Charles. As you can tell from the photo above, the deer here aren't very shy and you may find yourself a new little friend!