Bogue Chitto State Park
17049 State Park Blvd.
Franklinton, LA 70438
United States
Site is open daily.
Gate Opening Times:
Sunday through Thursday
- open at 7 a.m.
- close at 10 p.m.
Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays
- open at 7 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 8 p.m.
$3 per person
Free for seniors (62 & older)
Free for children (3 & under)
At Bogue Chitto State Park, visitors will experience a diversity of natural habitats on one of the most dynamic and scenic river systems in Louisiana. The 1,786-acre site includes small streams, cypress-tupelo swamps, a hardwood forest, upland forests, a rolling landscape and activities the entire family will enjoy.
Overnight visitors will find accommodations from tent camping and RV camping to cabins overlooking the bluffs. There is even a seven-campsite equestrian campground designed to accommodate campers and their horses. For larger groups and family reunions, the park offers a group camp and a conference room.
Bring your mountain bike and explore the 14-miles of meticulously maintained trails for bikers of all skill levels.
Fricke's Cave, which – despite its name – resembles more of a gorge, possesses delicate sandstone spires created when water erodes the surface underneath pebbles. The pebbles remain perched atop the spires, while over time water splashes on the sandstone surface, forming the two-foot-tall fingers of sandstone that shoot up from the now-lowered surface. Boardwalks have been built so that visitors can admire the sandstone creations from afar, as the formations are too delicate to allow visitors to walk among them.
Bring your own or rent a horse to explore 14-miles of equestrian trails that wind through some of the most interesting topography of southern Louisiana, with the trailhead located near Fricke's Cave.
A day trip to Bogue Chitto State Park will be a full one, with a river perfect for canoeing or kayaking, 11 lakes stocked with a variety of freshwater fish, a water playground, numerous picnic pavilions and an outdoor classroom.
Features
A $4.5 non-refundable fee will be assessed on each reservation transaction made online, via phone, or as a walk-in.
$33/night plus tax, Fri-Sat
$30/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Apr-Sept
$25/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Oct-Mar
$33/night plus tax, Fri-Sat
$30/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Apr-Sept
$25/night plus tax , Sun-Thurs, Oct-Mar
Available through the National Park Service.
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).
A $4.5 non-refundable fee will be assessed on each reservation transaction made online, via phone, or as a walk-in.
Cabins/Lodges/Group Camp: Basic cookware, cooking utensils, dinnerware, silverware, towels and linens are provided. Bring your own food and personal supplies; group camp visitors will also need to bring their own dishes, silverware, towels and linens. (map of cabin area)
$150/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs
$175/night plus tax, Fri-Sat
$175/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs
$225/night plus tax, Fri-Sat
$50/day
$220/day plus tax
$10/cart per day
$100 annual permit available.
Rental is free. All-terrain chair must be reserved at least 48 hours in advance. Available for rent between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Biking
Mountain Biking Trails at Bogue Chitto State Park
- 14-mile single track mountain bike trail; click on below thumbnail for trail map
- The Dual Slalom and Wall rides are just two of the many exciting features located within the mountain bike area.
- Two pump tracks for adults and young riders.
Find out more about efforts to continue development of the trails, by visiting the Northshore Off-Road Biking Association (NORBA) website or following them on Facebook.
Horse Trails and Rentals
- Equestrian trails at Bogue Chitto State Park are open to riders and their own horses.
- 14-mile equestrian trail
- There is a $3/horse per day trail fee, in addition to the day-use entrance of $3 per person.
- Certification of a clean Coggins test is required for all horses brought on State Park property. It is recommended that you call ahead for the status of the trail.
- Bogue Chitto Horse Rentals offers 1-hour, 2-hour and half-day public or private guided rides. They provide horses and all equipment. Visit the Bogue Chitto Horse Rentals website for more details and online booking to reserve your trail ride, or call 985-516-4975. Learn about news and special events on their Facebook page or check out pictures on Instagram.
Hiking Trails
- 7-mile nature trail
- Quarter-mile paved accessible, interactive kids trail features interactive art pieces throughout inviting children to engage in animal-themed, hands-on learning experiences through sculptures of native animals and insects.
Disc Golf
Bogue Chitto SP offers disc golf; the course is located near the group camp. Click HERE for a full-size map.
Tubing
Tubing in the Park – Canoe, Kayak and Tube rentals at the park.
Water Playground
Louisiana State Parks' water playgrounds operate Tuesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the facilities will be closed on Mondays for cleaning and maintenance. Please contact the park directly, to confirm that the playground is open or for additional information.
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.