Rick

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.

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

Campground Information
Their Description
Amenities
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.

Day Use Fee Symbol burned Open Year Round Symbol burned 30 amp Symbol burned 50 amp Symbol burned Water Symbol burned Campfire Symbol burned Tenting Symbol burned Cabin Symbol burned Handicap Symbol burned Hiker Biker Camp Symbol burned Restroom Symbol burned Shower Symbol 3 burned Picnic Area Symbol burned Picnic Shelter Symbol burned Playground Symbol burned Dump Station Symbol burned Pets Symbol burned Firewood Symbol burned Hiking Symbol burned Bike Path Symbol burned Bird Watching Symbol burned Wildlife Viewing Symbol burned Scenic Views Symbol burned Disc Golf Symbol burned Fishing Symbol burned Boat Ramp Symbol burned Boating Symbol burned Paddling Symbol burned Kayaking Symbol burned Beach Access Symbol burned

Hiking
Trails at Sam Houston Jones State Park
- Riverwalk Trail -- 1.6 miles
- Cypress Tupelo Trail -- 1/2 mile
- Swamp Walk Trail -- 1.1 miles
- Longleaf Pine Trail -- 3-1/2 miles
- Longleaf Pine Extension -- 1.3 miles
Disc Golf:

Bob Rodgers Memorial Disc Golf Course :
Sam Houston Jones SP offers disc golf; the course is located near the trailhead of the Longleaf Pine Trail. Click HERE for a full-size map.
- Professional Disc Golf Assn.
- Disc Golf Rules
On-Site Activities:

Birding
A Birder's Guide to Louisiana gives directions to over 100 areas for birding throughout the state, includes maps, Louisiana specialties, and contains beautiful photography and checklists of Louisiana birds and other wildlife. The Guide was produced through a partnership between the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area and the American Birding Association.

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

Subscribe to this RSS feed

Rick

Wednesday, 25 September 2019 20:08

Visited State Parks Campgrounds

Here is a quick list of the state parks that we've visited

Published in Campgrounds

Tagged under

Be the first to comment!

Monday, 08 July 2019 21:07

Visited Coast to Coast Campgrounds

Who is Coast to Coast?

Since 1972, Coast to Coast Resorts has been the industry leader in bringing outd Coast to Coast burned oor enthusiasts to access to some of the finest outdoor membership resorts in the country. In fact, Coast's primary focus is to make it possible for people who purchase resort memberships to travel more and spend less. To fulfill this mission, Coast to Coast has created a system of Coast affiliated resorts across North America, enhanced with open-to-the-public Coast Good Neighbor Parks, forming a network of beautiful properties where nearly any vacation experience can be enjoyed.

Coast to Coast is part of a larger company (Good Sam, Camping World, Gander Outdoors, and Overton's) who is a recognized leader in serving the needs of outdoor recreational enthusiasts. As part of the Good Sam family of companies, Coast to Coast Resorts is in good company.

How Do I Join Coast to Coast?

In order to be eligible for membership in Coast to Coast, you must first become a member of one of our affiliated resorts. Coast memberships are not available to the general public at any cost but instead are offered to you by one of our affiliated resorts at the time of your resort membership purchase. The Coast to Coast Resort Network provides a vast range of vacation choices for you and your family. Maybe this year it's the mountains and next year the desert, or a fishing trip this year and beach holiday the next. The Coast network includes some of the nation's best outdoor resorts with immaculate campsites, on-site security, superior amenities and legendary reputations for going above and beyond when it comes to taking care of guests. All available to you at a cost of only $10* per night at Coast resorts or a special Coast-member discounted rate* at Coast Good Neighbor Parks.

The upscale amenities, quality and a wide diversity of Coast to Coast Resorts, plus the ease of making reservations through our Tripsetter Reservation System, are key Coast member benefits. Add to this the additional array of membership benefits such as week-long condo vacation getaways, travel services (including cruises, hotels, airline reservations, and car rentals), outdoor resort rentals, dining and shopping discounts, Coast publications (annual directory and digital magazine), and much more, and it's easy to see why so many savvy travelers love being members of Coast to Coast.

You can plan your cross-country trips knowing ALL Coast to Coast Resorts and Coast Good Neighbor Parks must meet stringent criteria just to be included in the Coast network. In fact, Coast to Coast is the only membership resort network to annually inspect and rate all of our resorts.

To learn more about becoming a member of Coast to Coast, click the link below and enjoy a FREE 3 day/2-night stay at one of our participating affiliated resorts

https://www.coastresorts.com/

Published in Campgrounds

Tagged under

Be the first to comment!

Tuesday, 25 June 2019 17:27