Map of state parks maintained by the Office of State Parks (Each dot is linked to the corresponding park article)
The state of Louisiana has 21 state parks, which are governed by the Office of Lieutenant Governor, a division of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.[1] Louisiana's state park system began in 1934 when the state passed legislation that created the State Parks Commission of Louisiana.[2] In 1952, legislation broadened the role of the commission to include the development of outdoor recreation programs and resources. The commission was renamed to the Louisiana State Parks and Recreation Commission.[2] In 1977, the Office of State Parks was created in the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism.[2]
After the State Parks Commission of Louisiana was formed in 1934, 7 sites were acquired for use as state parks.[2] During World War II, the rate of new park acquisition declined with the addition of only one new site, Sam Houston Jones State Park in 1944. In 1966, the National Park Service reviewed Louisiana's state parks system and made many recommendations, which led to specific guidelines and requirements for state parks.[3] Over time, many state parks that did not meet these guidelines were either reclassified as state historic sites or were turned over to local or state agencies. Some of these parks include Lac des Allemands, Saline Bayou, and Black Lake.[4] During the 1970s, government management of the state parks was restructured. The Office of State Parks was created, and 2 new parks were acquired. From 1995 to 2009, $80 million were invested in creating new facilities, or updating existing facilities.[2]
Louisiana state parks are selected on the criteria that they must be natural areas of unique or exceptional scenic value.[3] Many of the state parks also have historic or scientific importance. For example, Chemin-A-Haut State Park served as a route used by Native Americans during seasonal migrations.[5] Louisiana state parks have many accommodations, including overnight cabins, boating rentals, guided daily tours, and fishing piers. In 2002, Louisiana state parks had more than 2 million visitors.[2] With the addition of Palmetto Island State Park in 2010, Louisiana state parks comprise more than 30,000 acres(12,000 ha) of land.
Bogue Chitto State Park, pronounced bo–guh chit–uh,[11] contains 14 miles (23 km) of equestrian trails with the trailhead located near Fricke's Cave.[9]
Many of the largest bass caught in Louisiana have been in Caney Lake Reservoir which is in the park.[27] As of 2010, the largest bass from Louisiana was caught at Caney Lake.[28]
Lake Bistineau State Park is the first state park in Louisiana to accommodate African Americans, starting in 1956. The two separated areas are an artifact of the segregated nature of the park at the time.[31]
Lake Claiborne State Park is situated on, but does not include, Lake Claiborne, the park's main attraction. When at full reservoir level, Lake Claiborne has a surface area of 6,400 acres(2,590 ha).[37]
The park is located north of the most productive birding region of Louisiana. At certain times of year, nearly 200 species of birds can be seen within 30 miles (48 km) of the park.[52]
South Toledo Bend State Park is a nesting ground for the bald eagle, which feeds from the supply of freshwater fish, including largemouth bass, catfish, bream, and white perch.[53]
Tickfaw State Park contains four distinct ecosystems: a cypress/tupelo swamp, a bottomland hardwood forest, a mixed pine/hardwood forest,[55] and the Tickfaw River.
Other names of current parks
The following are significantly different former or alternate names for current Louisiana state parks.
The land was originally owned by Bernard de Marigny who called the area Fontainebleau after a forest in Paris he admired.[20] When designated a state park, Governor Richard W. Leche named it Tchefuncte State Park and Conservation Reservation, which was later reverted to Fontainebleau.
Former state parks
The following are parks that were officially recognized as a state park after the 1966 National Park Service review, but were later removed.
The park features a 225-acre man-made lake that was built in 1954.[56] After a funding issue, the donated property was reverted to the A.J. and Nona Triggs Hodges Foundation.[57]
^ abcdefHistorical Overview of LA State Parks System. Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. 2009.
^ abLouisiana State Parks Plan, 1975-1990–Master Plan for Improvements to the State Parks System. Gulf South Research Institute. 1973.
^State of Louisiana comprehensive outdoor recreation plan–1970-1975. Louisiana State Parks and Recreation Commission. 1971.
^ abc"Chemin-A-Haut State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^ abLouisiana Conservationist. Vol. 40–42. Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission, Louisiana. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries. 1988. Bayou Segnette State Park in Jefferson Parish and Lake Fausse Pointe State Park in Iberia Parish since the grand opening in 1987 have been very popular.
^"Bayou Segnette State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^ ab"Bogue Chitto State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^ abc2009 Wall Calendar–75 Years of Celebrating Louisiana's Treasures and Making Memories. Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. 2009.
^ ab"Chicot State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^ ab"Cypremort Point State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^ ab"Fairview-Riverside State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^ ab"Fontainebleau State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^"Make a Weekend Stop to Grand Isle State Park". Houma, Louisiana: Gumbo Entertainment Guide. July 6, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2012. Nestled in the northeastern portion of the only inhabited barrier island in the state, Louisiana purchased the 150-acre park in 1968.[permanent dead link]
^"Facebook–Grand Isle State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Retrieved April 11, 2012. The park was purchased in 1968 by the State.
^ abc"Jimmie Davis State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^Louisiana State Parks–A Guide to Louisiana's State Parks, State Historic Sites and Preservation Areas Brochure. Louisiana State Parks. 2007.
^"Lake Bistineau State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on March 5, 2005. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
^Otto, David (August 17, 2007). Insiders' Guide to Shreveport. Insiders' Guide. p. 127. ISBN978-0-7627-5702-2.
^Fonseca, Mary (August 8, 1996). Weekend Getaways in Louisiana. Pelican Publishing. p. 188. ISBN978-1-56554-096-5.
^"Lake Bruin State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^Outdoor Recreation Action. United States. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. 1974. p. 67.
^"Lake Claiborne State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^ ab"Lake D'Arbonne State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^ ab"Lake Fausse Pointe State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^ ab"North Toledo Bend State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^Louisiana State Parks Crossroads Brochure. Louisiana State Parks. 2007.
^Louisiana statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan: Information base for executive decision, 1993-1998. Vol. 1. Division of Outdoor Recreation. 1994. North Toledo Bend State Park has been developed and has been operational since 1987.
^"North Toledo Bend (WMA)". Austin, Texas: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. April 21, 2009. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
^"Palmetto Island State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^"Poverty Point Reservoir"(PDF). Louisiana Department of Public Works and Water Resources. Archived from the original(PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
^"Poverty Point Reservoir State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^Sternberg, Mary Ann. The Pelican Guide to Louisiana (2 ed.). Pelican Publishing Company Inc. p. 160. ISBN978-0-88289-901-5.
^ ab"St. Bernard State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^ abc"Sam Houston State Park". Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^ abc"South Toledo Bend State Park". Louisiana: Office of State Parks, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
^Gomez, Ms. Gay M. (October 9, 2008). The Louisiana Coast: Guide to an American Wetland. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. p. 161. ISBN978-1-60344-033-2.