The air conditioners are humming, the snowball stands have lines around the block. This can only mean one thing—summer has arrived in Louisiana! We've compiled a list of some of our favorite things to do in Louisiana in the summer so that you can start planning your epic weekend adventures.

Best Summer Vacation Destinations In Louisiana

Whether you’re looking for a natural landscape where you can listen to the songbirds or a concrete jungle where you can go on endless shopping sprees, these three picks each offer something completely different.

1. Toledo Bend Reservoir

Location: Texas/Louisiana border.

Popularity: Very popular.

Need To Know: You can access the reservoir via North or South Toledo Bend State Parks, and there are plenty of Airbnbs peppered along the waterfront.

The Toledo Bend Reservoir is one of the largest man-made lakes in the country. Just building this body of water was an impressive act in itself! The reservoir straddles the Louisiana/Texas border, and you’ve got plenty of access points. Both North and Toledo Bend State Parks offer visitors plenty of outdoor attractions including hiking trails, boat launches, disc golf, and beaches. This is where you’ll find some of the best fishing in Louisiana, too!

This waterfront rental is the perfect place to call home while you explore this side of Louisiana. The views are incredible and there’s plenty of space (five bedrooms!)

2. Avery Island

Location: Avery Island

Popularity: Very popular

Need To Know: There are no ride-share options to get to/from Avery Island. You’ll need to drive yourself.

Louisiana’s most famous salt dome makes for the perfect day trip. Start your adventure on Avery Island by taking a tour of the Tabasco Factory. Here, you’ll learn how this iconic pepper sauce is made, starting with the growing process. After your tour, take a stroll through Jungle Gardens, check out Bird City, and then end the day with a delicious meal from Restaurant 1868.

3. New Orleans

Location: New Orleans

Popularity: Very popular

Need To Know: Wear comfortable sneakers. Downtown New Orleans is easily walkable.

There’s always something to do in New Orleans. Of course, taking a stroll through the French Quarter is a no-brainer. Jackson Square has plenty of historic attractions and restaurants to try. Take a tour of St. Louis Cathedral, enjoy the music from street performers…maybe grab an ice-cold beverage or two… you’ll never be bored in New Orleans! And once the sun sets, you may be interested in exploring the haunted side of New Orleans.

Check out some of our favorite places to stay in New Orleans while you’re at it!

Best Beaches, Lakes, & Rivers To Visit In Louisiana This Summer

Louisiana summers can be brutal. Finding new ways to beat the heat is important, and what better way than a beach? Here are some of our favorite beaches, lakes, and rivers in Louisiana that are perfect for summer day trips. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

4. Valentine Lake

Location: Elmer, Louisiana

Popularity: More popular on the weekends

Need To Know: No lifeguards on duty. Restrooms, trash cans, and water are available.

Valentine Lake is one of my favorite places to spend a summer day in Louisiana. The Valentine Lake Recreation Area has plenty of parking, and the little stretch of beach is just delightful. There is a boat launch for a kayak/canoe, but no motorized boats are allowed. The Valentine Lake Northshore Campground offers 14 campsites, almost half of which are waterfront.

After splashing around, check out the Valentine Lake Trail. This 3-mile trail begins and ends at the campground and meanders through the pine trees with beautiful lake views along the way. You can even hop onto the Wild Azalea Trail from this trail!

5. Holly Beach

Location: Cameron, Louisiana

Popularity: Moderately popular on weekends

Need To Know: You can drive right onto the beach!

Even though Louisiana sits along the Gulf of Mexico, we aren’t known for our beaches in the same way that our eastern coastal neighbors are. Holly Beach is a great beach in Louisiana that’s perfect for a summer afternoon. It’s certainly a little bit out of the way, so I’d recommend pairing it with the Creole Nature Trail so you can explore this part of Louisiana. Holly Beach is great for finding seashells, so keep your eyes peeled!

Also, just a short drive east and you’ll find Rutherford Beach. This beach is just as fabulous as Holly Beach, especially when it comes to finding seashells. Check out both beaches and see which one you prefer!

6. Bogue Chitto River

Location: Franklinton, Louisiana

Popularity: Very popular

Need To Know: Remember: no glass or styrofoam on the river!

River floats are simply the best. I’ve spent many summers floating down the Bogue Chitto River. Louisiana River Adventures offers two and four-hour trips and they take care of everything. Once you arrive, they’ll load up a tube and take you further up the river so that you can float the day away. Signs are posted at the end so you know where to get out. I’d recommend packing some sandwiches so you can pull up to a sandbank halfway through. Make sure you apply (and reapply) sunscreen.

Parks To Visit In Louisiana This Summer

With over 20 state parks in Louisiana, you can bet you’re never too far away from one. Each one of these state parks offers a water feature with plenty of ways to enjoy. From splashing to casting, these are some of the best state parks in Louisiana to visit this summer. If you plan on doing any hiking, be sure to snag some trail maps from AllTrails ahead of time.

7. Lake Claiborne State Park

Location: Homer, Louisiana

Popularity: Popular on weekends

Need To Know: Admission to any Louisiana State Park is $3.00 per person

Lake Claiborne State Park is one of the best state parks in Northern Louisiana. The state park is centered around the 6,400-acre lake and offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. Jet skiing, boating, and fishing are always a good time, but my personal favorite is the beach. The area is roped off for swimming, so you won’t have to worry about boats. The picnic tables peppered along the tree line offer plenty of shade, so be sure to bring some snacks. While you’re here, be sure to check out the White Tail Trail. The 2.5-mile loop trail is a great way to explore the park and you might even see some deer along the way!

8. Cypremort Point State Park

Location: Cypremort Point, Louisiana

Popularity: Popular on weekends

Need To Know: Admission to any Louisiana State Park is $3.00 per person

Unless you live in the area, you may have never heard of Cypremort Point State Park. It takes a bit of effort to get here, but I promise it’s worth it! You do feel a little bit like you’re at the end of the earth (in the best way). The park sits on the shores of Vermilion Bay and offers incredible fishing opportunities. Folks with larger boats can launch from the Bay and head out to deeper Gulf waters or just putt around the Bay to find a honey hole. The park has a half-mile stretch of beach and plenty of swimming, and it’s also a great spot to watch the windsurfers. Cypremort Point State Park has some of the best sunsets in Louisiana, so be sure to pull up a patch of sand and stick around til dusk. You won’t regret it!

If you want to extend your stay, the park offers several cabins that come with everything you need for a relaxing stay.

9. Jimmie Davis State Park

Location: Chatham, Louisiana

Popularity: More popular on weekends

Need To Know: Admission to any Louisiana State Park is $3.00 per person

Jimmie Davis State Park sits on the northern shores of Caney Creek Lake. This 5,000-acre reservoir is just overflowing with water activities. Two boat launches make it easy to drop into the water, and it’s one of the most popular places for waterskiing in Northern Louisiana.

No boat? No problem. The park’s white, sandy beach is a popular spot. There are also plenty of hiking trails to explore, and piers to drop a line from land.

Best Free Summer Activities

I’m a firm believer that a good time doesn’t have to cost a dime. Outside of the gas, these three summer activities in Louisiana won’t cost you a cent.

10. Kisatchie National Forest

Location: Central and northern Louisiana

Popularity: Some areas are more popular than others

Need To Know: Make sure you download trail maps in advance, cell coverage can get dicey

The Kisatchie National Forest is Louisiana’s only National Forest. The forest is over 600,000 acres and sprawls across seven parishes. The Kisatchie is broken up into five ranger districts, each offering plenty of incredible hiking trails and scenic roads that will bring out the inner explorer in you. The Wild Azalea Trail is the longest primitive hiking trail in Louisiana, but if you don’t want to tackle a 24-mile trail on your first visit, there are plenty others. The Caroline Dormon Trail and Tim’s Canyon Trail are two great places to start. Of course, the Kisatchie is home to many surprises, too! How about exploring a cave? Yep, there is a cave in Louisiana and the history behind it might surprise you.

11. Tammany Trace

Location: St. Tammany Parish

Popularity: Some sections are more popular than others

Need To Know: Great for rollerblading and biking!

If you were wondering why The Wild Azalea Trail is the longest primitive hiking trail in Louisiana, allow me to introduce you to the Tammany Trace. This 31-mile trail is the longest paved trail in Louisiana. It’s a rail trail that upcycled a portion of the Illinois Central Railroad to connect five towns: Lacombe, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, and Abita Springs. Each town has its own trailhead, and on the weekends these trailheads are very popular! It’s not uncommon to hit a trailhead and stumble into a farmers market or an outdoor concert series.

There’s even a section of the trail that’s equestrian-friendly!

12. Community Parks

Location: All over the state

Popularity: Some are more popular than others

Need To Know: Finding a good community park can be hit or miss. If you don’t love the first one, don’t give up! Chances are, there’s another one within five miles.

Community parks are underrated. I’m willing to bet that your town has one, but have you ever taken the time to explore it? There are so many incredible community parks in Louisiana, I can’t possibly mention them all. I will mention a few of my favorites, though!

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite community parks in Louisiana:

Independence Community Park in Baton Rouge

Greenwood Community Park in Baker/Baton Rouge area

City-Brooks Community Park in Baton Rouge

Lake End Park in Morgan City

Evangeline Oak Park in St. Martinville

Moncus Park in Lafayette

Prien Lake Park in Lake Charles

Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park in Shreveport

I know this barely scratches the surface of community parks here in Louisiana, but it’s a good start!

Best Summer Events And Festivals In Louisiana

If we're being honest, most festivals in Louisiana take place outside of summer. It's just because most festivals are an outdoor event, and it's just much more comfortable to be outdoors any other time of year. There are a few summer festivals in Louisiana that are worth your while, though!

13. Sunflower Festival

Location: Gilliam, Louisiana

Popularity: Fairly popular

Need To Know: The festival is held on the 3rd Saturday in June every year, but the sunflower fields are in bloom for the entire month. Feel free to take a drive along the trail to see them!

The Sunflower Festival takes place on the 3rd Saturday in June every year. It’s a wonderful day where local artisans come together to celebrate all things sunflower-related while eating delicious food and enjoying live music. The actual sunflower trail is a self-drive route that will take you through all of the beautiful sunflower fields in the area. Feel free to pull over and snap some pictures! Be sure to follow the Sunflower Festival on Facebook so you can stay up to date on the blooms. Both the festival and the trail are free to attend.

14. Delcambre Shrimp Festival

Location: Delcambre, Louisiana

Popularity: Very popular

Need To Know: It’s a five-day festival, so pace yourself!

Delcambre is home to one of the most productive shrimp fleets in Louisiana so it makes sense that there would be a five-day festival dedicated to it. The festival takes place in August, and you can learn all about it on the Delcambre Shrimp Festival website. There will be live music, a shrimp cook-off, carnival rides, and all of your favorite shrimp dishes.

15. Landry Vineyards Summer Concerts

Location: West Monroe, Louisiana

Popularity: Very popular

Need To Know: Bring your own blankets and chairs.

Landry Vineyards is a locally-owned winery in Louisiana that offers tours and tastings year-round. During the summer, they open up part of the property to host a summer concert series that’s not to be missed. Check out the lineup for the summer and mark your calendars!

Before you head off into the sunset, be sure to check out our Ultimate Road Trip Packing Guide. It covers some of our favorite essentials to make the journey much more pleasant.