Exploring State Park In Louisiana Is The Definition Of An Underrated Adventure
By Jackie Ann|Published December 26, 2023
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
With 6,400 acres to explore, you could easily spend an entire week enjoying Chicot State Park. Louisiana’s largest state park is easily one of my favorite state parks in Louisiana because there are so many things to do. While most visitors will stick to land and enjoy the hiking trails at Chicot State Park, I’d encourage you to take the path less traveled and take to the water. Chicot State Park has some of the best canoeing and kayaking in Louisiana, and it’s so underrated! Let’s check it out:
Lake Chicot is popular with fishermen hoping to reel in freshwater catches of largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill, but there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this beautiful lake in Louisiana.
There is an eight-mile canoe trail that will show you an entirely new perspective of the park, and it’s a great activity that the entire family can enjoy.
The cabins at Chicot State Park are very spacious and are located right over the water. There are huge windows in the living room that give you glorious views of the lake!
I'd highly recommend taking a detour and paddling into the little alcoves around the lake.
It's pretty safe to assume that every body of water in Louisiana has alligators in it. Generally speaking, they won't bother you if you don't bother them! Just admire these creatures from afar and paddle right past them.
The paddle trail is open year-round, but you probably won't see many alligators if you're visiting during colder months. In the summer they can be seen sunbathing on just about anything they can climb on!
While alligators are certainly the star of the show, they're not the only wildlife you may encounter. Turtles are often seen sunbathing, and plenty of birds, too! Egrets, anhingas, herons, and a variety of songbirds are just a few of the critters that call this lake home.
Read on to learn more about all of the things to do at Chicot State Park. If you’re planning on hitting any of the hiking trails, an AllTrails+ account is always a good idea.
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