Sam Houston Jones State Park, Lake Charles, Florida

We have had our eye on this park for awhile after seeing it posted on other websites as a top pick for Louisiana State Park stays. Known for its swampy marshes and location on the Camcasieu West Fork, we found this park to be somewhat lackluster. Maybe it was the high humidity. Or maybe it was the soaring temps. Or maybe it was because the power went out from 9pm to midnight and the temperature was still in the high 90s. Or maybe it was the fact upon entry we weren't given any kind of brochure about the park's activities. Or maybe it was the  inability to launch canoes or kayaks from camp into the river. Or maybe the weed-wacking required in search of geocaches. Or maybe it was the construction taking place with fairly large trench diggers at campsites directly adjacent to campers (not ours luckily). Or maybe it was just all of this combined, we just didn't feel like there was much to do or see here. Interior roads and site pads are level and nicely paved. Sites are fairly spacious and scenic with the campground spotted with a good amount of tall trees providing shade. There is a large playground at camp and tent pads are clearly marked. Electric and water hookups are at each RV site, but primitive sites at the primitive loop (we did not explore) lack hookups. There are a few flat walking trails that lead from a couple of places around camp amd offed glimpses of the river. Lots of day use picnic tables spot the rivers edge, but actually reaching the river can be challenging. Gators are spotted here from time to time and warning signs are posted.

Best Sites: All
Poor Sites: None
Hookups: Electric & Water
Potabke Water: Yes
Dump Withing Facility: Yes

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