Walking among rolling hills blanketed with towering trees, visitors might think they stepped into a park in Tennessee. However, Chicot State Park and its associated Louisiana State Arboretum sit in Central Louisiana.
Located in Evangeline Parish seven miles north of Ville Platte, the park covers about 6,400 acres dominated by Lake Chicot. People living in Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge and Alexandria can easily reach the park in less than two hours.
“The word ‘chicot’ means ‘stump’ in a Native American language,” said Jessica Earles, the park manager. “This is derived from the numerous stumps in the lake, which were left when the trees were removed. The first facilities established in the park were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. Some of those buildings are still on the property today.”
Many people camp on the property. Improved campsites come with recreational vehicle hookups, picnic tables, barbecue grills and other amenities, but other visitors prefer primitive camping. One hiking trail completely circles Lake Chicot and includes several primitive campsites.
“We are the largest state park in Louisiana and we have the longest trail as well,” Earles said. “We offer various activities for those who like to fish, hike or enjoy the natural beauty in a more untouched state. The park has 15 deluxe cabins, two deluxe lodges, a group camp and almost 200 campsites. We have more than 20 miles of trails in the park. People can also use six backpack sites along the trail and a group primitive site mostly used by Boy Scouts. We also have a playground, picnic tables, a kid’s trail and a splash pad.”
Nature trails and wildlife
Established in 1961, the first such area in the South, the Louisiana State Arboretum covers 600 acres within the state park boundaries. Birders can find many places to enjoy looking at the avian residents in the park and Arboretum. People might also spot white-tailed deer, wild turkey, raccoons, foxes, waterfowl and many other animals.
In the Arboretum, hikers can walk through miles of nature trails along Walker Branch or Ferguson’s Gully in a magnificent mature beech-magnolia forest. Sycamores, maples, hickories, pines and oaks also grow in the forest as well as more than 150 other native Louisiana plant species. In the fall, the colorful leaves add more beauty to the place.
“People of all ages are all attracted to this beautiful and fascinating place,” Earles said. “Any walk along the Louisiana State Arboretum trails promises to be a memorable experience. Enjoy and please remember, take only pictures and leave only footprints.”
Great fishing at Lake Chicot
Of course, many people come to fish Lake Chicot. In the early 1930s, the CCC dammed Bayou Chicot. Now, wholly encompassed within the park boundaries, the 2,000-acre lake offers some of the best fishing in Central Louisiana.
Heavily wooded with cypress trees, it averages about 7 to 8 feet deep with abundant stumps, weeds and lily pads, giving fish ample cover. Bass tournaments regularly fish the lake. The lake frequently produces giant largemouth bass as well as redear sunfish, also called shellcrackers or chinquapin, catfish, bluegills and crappie.
“Our lake is well known for its pristine fishing,” Earles said. “Lake Chicot is a great freshwater fishing area that draws thousands of anglers each year. Fishermen will enjoy the convenient boathouse. We have three boat launches on the lake. We also have two 400-foot fishing piers where people without boats can fish. We also offer boat and canoe rentals.”
Chicot State Park stays open all year long. The Arboretum stays open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.
For information, call 888-677-2442 or 337-363-2403. Online, see www.lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/chicot-state-park.
