Lake Bistineau State Park

Step into a Southern dream covered in Spanish moss at Lake Bistineau State Park. The lake itself is fairly shallow, allowing all kinds of trees to grow from its waters. It is this unique feature that takes this Louisiana recreation area from ho-hum to hidden gem, as many visitors have found out for themselves.

The grounds here are not large, offering just over 60 campsites -- all of which come with hookup options. There are cabins here as well, but the park doesn't allow our furry friends inside of these structures. Restroom facilities and showers are provided, though word on the street is that these amenities are a bit tired. A dump station is accessible on-site for trailers and RVs, and many of the campsites come with their own wooden decks. That last feature may sound out of place, but with wetlands like these, flooding can happen at any time! 

To get into the park, you'll need to purchase a permit costing $3 per person (excluding kids and seniors, who get in for free). Overnight charges begin at $14 a night when you use a special code provided by the state website, and go all the way up to $33 a night for a premium lot on Fridays and Saturday.

While you're here, you'll want to head down to the lake itself for some incredible views. Be sure to bring your rod along, as the fishing at Lake Bistinieau is top-notch, being home to species like bass, crappie, and catfish. You may want to check with management at the time of booking that the lake is not currently being drained, as they sometimes do this to manage plant and algae overgrowth. 

During your stay, be sure to keep your fur-buddy out of any buildings on the premises. Also, though the leash rules are unclear, we suggest you bring one along and keep your woofer off of other campers' sites for the entirety of your visit. As always, remember to stoop and scoop up any messes your pooch happens to leave behind!

For a fun stay in a Louisiana swamp, add Lake Bistineau to your must-visit list!