Did you know that Louisiana has 21 state parks? From the rolling hills of the northern portion of the state to the sandy beaches of Grand Isle, each state park offers something unique, and it's one of the most convenient ways to check out some of Louisiana's most stunning natural scenery. Clocking in at a staggering 6,400 acres, Chicot State Park is the largest in Louisiana, and we think it's the single best in the state.

You'll find Chicot State Park nestled in the sleepy little town of Ville Platte.

Since it's pretty much in the center of the state, it's a great park to visit no matter where in Louisiana you reside.

The park is a nature lover's paradise.

As we mentioned before, Chicot State Park covers an impressive 6,400 acres to explore, so you'll want to make sure you give yourself enough time to truly experience the park.

Anglers will love getting to drop a line in the water and see if they can catch their record largemouth bass, bluegill, or crappie.

You can also bring your boat and launch into the water to find your own little honey hole.

One of the most popular attractions of the park is the extensive backpacking trail.

The 20-mile trail completely encircles the lake, and you'll have some stunning scenery along the way.

There's even a smaller kid's trail that's great for families with little ones.

Informative signs and whimsical artworks pepper the trail, adding a fun pop of color to your stroll. It's a fun little trail that's ideal for introducing your kids to nature and hiking without being too lengthy (it's less than half a mile long).

After exploring the kid's trail, swing by the spray ground to cool off.

The spray playground is open Tuesdays-Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can even rent a canoe and experience the park from an entirely new perspective.

There's an eight-mile paddle trail that's filled with stunning views, but you can always just rent a canoe and paddle out on your own, exploring all of the nooks and coves around the lake.

But even after you've hiked the trails and paddled around the lake, you're still not finished exploring this incredible park.

Located within the park is the Louisiana State Arboretum, the only state-supported arboretum in the country. This natural oasis is filled with even more trails to explore!

With so much to discover, you'll probably want to make a weekend of it.

There are plenty of RV sites and primitive campsites available for rent, as well as a few glamping tents, too!

Of course, nothing beats the views from the cabins.

They're right over the water with huge windows, making you feel like you're right in the center of the lake. You'll also have your own dock, so you can paddle right on up to your cabin.

For more information regarding the park, including cabin and canoe rentals, check out their website.

Once you visit Chicot State Park, you'll want to check out all of the other state parks peppered around the state. Check out our previous article featuring some of our favorite tiny buy mighty state parks.