Where We Are Now

We landed this afternoon at Ely KOA Journey, pretty much right in the middle of Nevada, elevation, 6500 ft. This is just a stop-over for a night, but it really is a nice campground. We plan to drive around this after and check out the town.

   Ely KOA our site

Where We Are on the Map

Where to Next

From here we're heading north to Idaho. Our first stop is a place called Anderson Camp. We plan to spend a couple of days there so we can check out Shoshone Falls and what's left of Twin Falls

 Anderson Camp Stock Photo

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Wednesday, 25 December 2024

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Sam Houston Jones State Park, Lake Charles, LA

Our Visit

      Sam Houston Jones State Park, was just a one night stay over, but after going there, I wish we would have stayed longer. The park is beautiful with swamps and a river, cabins, RV, and tent camping. The campground is wooded with mostly paved sites.

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Sam Houston on the map blue burned

Most are a bit tight for bigger rigs, but we managed to fit. Walking around the park we saw that the swamp directly across from the campground had been drained. (to restore some of the forests)  As we followed the road we found a large picnic area with plenty of tables along the river bank. There is a boat ramp and we saw someone out in a kayak paddling up and down the river. There is a boat ramp with a warning sign not to swim and a possibility of alligators. Further along, the road was several very nice cabins to rent. There was a second swamp, this one not drained with a large wooden bridge crossing it. In the middle of the bridge was an amphitheater. From the bridge looking down into the swamp, we saw dozens of turtles swimming about. (I took pictures, but you need to zoom in to see their heads poking out of the water and their bodies under the surface) As we passed the cabins along our walk around the park we discovered a full 18-hole disc golf course. Had we more time, we would have grabbed our discs and tried it out. Alongside the road, we could see that water had recently receded from there and discovered what we later found to be mounds of mud with holes in them made by crawfish digging into the ground as the water evaporated. Being from the Northwest, this was new. Later we searched You-tube and watched a video of someone pushing his arm (up to his shoulder) in a hole and pulling out a crawfish. A second video showed him using a trap in a creek using dry dog food as bait and catching them by the dozen.

     Overall, we really liked the park, we met some great people there and would recommend two nights if you’re using it as a stopover on your way down the road.

Campground number eighty-six. 

  • April 18, 2018 -  1 day
  1. Campground Information
  2. Their Description
  3. Amenities
  4. Policies .
Website:
  crt.state.la.us
Type: State Park
Address: Sam Houston Jones State Park, 
       107 Sutherland Rd,
        Lake Charles, LA 70611
Phone: (337) 855-2665

Originally named for the Texas folk hero who traveled extensively in the western reaches of Louisiana, Sam Houston Jones was given its current name in honor of the state's 46th governor, who was instrumental in setting aside this tract of land for the public to enjoy for both day-use and overnight visitors.
Because the caretakers of this 1,087-acre park have worked to keep the land in its natural state, abundant wildlife inhabits the area. Tree-filled lagoons and mixed pine and hardwood forest combine to create a unique natural environment. The park is located just north of the most productive birding region of Louisiana. The bird watching is always excellent, but at certain times of the year, nearly 200 species of birds can be seen at or within 30 miles of the site.

The Office of State Parks has partnered with Sasol in Lake Charles on the Longleaf Legacy Project,  to preserve the iconic tree's rich history, restore the splendor of local forests, and ensure the resiliency of such habitats for generations to come.  The project includes the restoration of over 70 acres of longleaf forest in the park and companion educational programs for local teachers and families.

Sam Houston Jones State Park is home to more than 70 acres of longleaf pines, the oldest living southern pine species. They were once one of the most abundant tree species in the United States, stretching across 90 million acres from Virginia to Texas. Over time, land-use practices such as logging, farming, development, urban encroachment, and fire exclusion have diminished the longleaf pine, leaving less than 4 million acres of longleaf forest and less than 10 percent of their original presence in Louisiana.

The numerous waterways in this area make water sports a natural highlight at the park. Two boat launches are conveniently located on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River, providing access to Calcasieu Lake, about 20 miles away. (No-Wake Zone Advisory )

The three hiking trails winding through this beautiful park make strolling or serious hiking, pleasurable. Particularly interesting is the old stagecoach road, which hikers may travel to explore the park and the banks of the various tributaries to the Calcasieu River.

 

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Hours of Operation:
Site is open daily.

Gate Opening Times:
Sunday through Thursday

  • open at 6 a.m.
  • close at 9 p.m.

Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.

  • open at 6 a.m.
  • close at 10 p.m.

Entrance Station Hours:
Sunday through Thursday

  • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.

  • 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Entrance Fees

  • $3 per person
  • Free for seniors (62 & older)
  • Free for children (3 & under)

Camping
A $6 non-refundable fee will be assessed on each reservation transaction made online, via phone, or as a walk-in.
( map of sites 23-43)  ( map of sites 44-62)

9 Premium Campsites (pull-through sites with water and electrical hookups) $33/night plus tax, Fri-Sat
$30/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Apr-Sept
$25/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Oct-Mar
26 Improved Campsites (water and electrical hookup) $28/night plus tax, Fri-Sat
$25/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Apr-Sept
$20/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Oct-Mar
Backcountry campsites (maximum capacity of 6), 5 available on a first-come, first-served basis $9 per person/night, plus tax
Primitive camping area (maximum capacity of 20) $20/night plus tax
America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes (formerly Golden Age & Golden Access Passports) (Available through the National Park Service. Click here for more information)
Holders of the Passes, whose state of residence also honors the America the Beautiful pass, are entitled to a 50% reduction on camping fees at Louisiana State Parks. (Passport holders are allowed one site per passport).

Additional Information About Overnight Facilities

Monday, 20 May 2019 20:39

Lake Eufaula State Park

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Lake Eufaula State Park, Checotah, Oklahoma

     Lake Eufaula State Park is about twelve miles from I-40 west and five miles from I-40 east.  It is a beautiful state park that is easy to access as you travel across Oklahoma on I-40.  We stayed just one night, but wouldn't have minded staying longer.  We never unhooked our car and didn't explore much of the park except what was within walking distance from our campsite.  The path to the lake was just that, I was told that people fished from there, but it really wasn't all that scenic.  The campground, however, was beautiful.  Green grass and large paved sites.  We chose our site from a campground map and it was nice, however, there were some even nicer had we drove through the park before registering.  We hit the park right after Labor Day, so it was pretty empty.  It is a perfect place to stop for a night or two while traveling across Oklahoma. 

 

     Lake Eufaula State Park is a great choice for an Oklahoma getaway. Whether the stay is short or long-term, a visit to this state park is guaranteed to be memorable. Formerly known as Fountainhead State Park, the park is located just south of I-40 near Checotah, in eastern Oklahoma. Situated on Lake Eufaula, a 102,000-acre reservoir, there are many activities available for visitors on both land and water.

    On land, Oklahoma's diverse foliage and wildlife can be observed on hiking trails such as the Bluebird Trail. Visitors can bring bikes to get around the expansive park and take a ride on one of the mountain bike trails. Visit the on-site Lake Eufaula Stables and saddle up for a guided horseback ride or bring your own horse and explore the trails. The Deep Fork Nature Center educates visitors about native animals and plant species, and kids and adults can participate in naturalist programs and activities. For kids, the park offers many playgrounds and a fishing pond.

     An 18-hole disc golf course is located at Hummingbird Beach and there is no fee required to play the disc golf course. Stop by the gift shop in the park office to rent disc golf equipment for a nominal fee. Nearby, the 18-hole Fountainhead Golf Course, operated by the Muscogee Creek Nation, features views of the lake, complete with a putting green and pro shop. Lake Eufaula State Park also has a Lovelock Fountain, which encourages visitors to add a personal, and lasting, touch to the park.

    While there are so many things to do on land in the park, Lake Eufaula allows visitors the opportunity to play on the water. There is a swimming area with a beach, and multiple boat ramps provide easy access to the lake. Fishing is a big attraction at Lake Eufaula State Park, and a marina located in the park makes year-round fishing possible with an enclosed, heated fishing dock, as well as a tackle shop. There is also Lake Eufaula Stables where visitors can enjoy a scenic horseback ride. Some of the largest fish in the state have been caught at Lake Eufaula.

    Various accommodations for a stay at Lake Eufaula State Park are available. Approximately 35 full hookup RV sites, 65 RV sites with water and electric and 93 tent sites are available. For a unique overnight accommodation, book a stay in one of the park’s three yurts. All yurts come with heat/ac, bedding, a microwave, mini-fridge, electrical outlets, and an LED TV. The Longhorn Loop yurt comes with one foldout futon, large picnic shelter and lake access at your doorstep, while the Hummingbird Beach yurt comes with two full-sized futon bunk beds, is ADA compliant and has great beach access. The Longhorn Loop Honeymoon yurt has a queen-sized log canopy bed indoors and two picnic tables, a grill, a fire pit, and a lantern holder outdoors. Although there is no running water within the yurts, restroom facilities are located within 50 yards of the Longhorn Loop and Hummingbird Beach yurts, and 1000 yards from the Longhorn Loop Honeymoon yurt. Pets are not allowed inside the yurts.

     Comfort stations are scattered throughout the park. Ideal for meetings or family reunions, the group camp features a fully equipped kitchen, dining hall, stocked pond and four air-conditioned bunkhouses that can accommodate up to 96 people. Lake Eufaula State Park also features an airstrip for the convenience of those who would like to fly into the park. In addition, there are coin operated washers and dryers located in the Dogwood Drive Campground.

Read 4735 times Last modified on Friday, 24 May 2019 04:21
Published in Oklahoma
Rick

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