Lake at Bogue Chitto State Park
Fish one of 11 stocked lakes

Bogue Chitto State Park

Northshore Area

17049 State Park Blvd.
Franklinton, LA 70438
United States

Hours of Operation

Site is open daily.

Gate Opening Times:
Sunday through Thursday

  • open at 8 a.m.
  • close at 10 p.m.

Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays

  • open at 8 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.
Admission/Entrance Fees

$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.  

Find nearby things to do.

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Mountain bike dual slolam
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Mountain biking for all experience levels.
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Pump track
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Two pump tracks were added in 2023
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mountain bike area restroom
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After a long day on the bike trails, clean up with a hot shower at the mountain bike area comfort station.
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Equine trail riders
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Bring your own or rent a horse at the park to explore the 14 miles of equestrian trails.
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Bogue Chitto State Park - Spend a lazy day tubing down the Bogue Chitto River
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Spend a lazy day tubing down the Bogue Chitto River
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Bogue Chito cabin
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The cabins offer all the comforts of home, for those not keen on ‘roughing it’
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Bogue Chitto cabin interior
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Well appointed cabins sleep up to eight guests.
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Cabin master bedroom
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Bunk room in cabin
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Second bedroom offers two sets of bunk beds
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Bogue Chitto State Park - The park offers bottomland camping near the river, along with upland camping
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The park offers bottomland camping near the river, along with upland camping
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Bogue Chitto State Park - A great place to spend a relaxing day…or weekend…
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A great place to spend a relaxing day…or weekend…

Features

graphic tree
Parks & Preserves
Biking
Biking
Camping
Camping
Disc Golf
Disc Golf
Fishing
Fishing
Hiking
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding
Swimming/Water Playgrounds
Swimming/Water Playgrounds
Tubing
Tubing
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife Viewing
Cabin camping icon
Cabins
Group Lodging
Lodge camping icon
Lodges
RV Camping Icon
RV Camping
Camping Tent Icon
Tent Camping
Group Facilities
Meeting Rooms Icon
Meeting Rooms
Outdoor Pavilions Icon
Outdoor Pavilions

 

 

 

Camping

A $4.5 non-refundable fee will be assessed on each reservation transaction made online, via phone, or as a walk-in.

81 Premium Campsites

$33/night plus tax, Fri-Sat
$30/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Apr-Sept
$25/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Oct-Mar

Prime locations and pull through, all with water and electrical hookup; sites 101-135 are located on water, while sites 1-46 have sewer hookups.
Equestrian Area Campground

$33/night plus tax, Fri-Sat
$30/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Apr-Sept
$25/night plus tax , Sun-Thurs, Oct-Mar

 

7 Premium Sites, Includes sewer, water and electrical hookups
America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes

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).

Facilities

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

Deluxe Cabins

$150/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs
$175/night plus tax, Fri-Sat

4 available; sleeps up to 8 people with 1 queen bed, 2 bunk beds and a sofa sleeper
Deluxe Lodge

$175/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs
$225/night plus tax, Fri-Sat

1 available, ADA compliant; sleeps up to 14 people with 2 queen beds, 4 bunk beds and a sofa sleeper
Group Camp

$300/night plus tax

One dormitory with a full kitchen, sleeps up to 52 people
Pavilions

$50/day

3 available; Maximum Occupancy of 50 people, each. *Units are equipped with grills/fire rings.
Meeting Room

$220/day plus tax

Capacity is 150 people for both Conference and Theatre set-ups
Other Rates
Use of Personal Golf Carts on State Park Property

$10/cart per day

$100 annual permit available.

Proof of cart insurance required; must be operated by a licensed driver.
All-Terrain Track Chair Rental

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.

 

Tubing

 Tubing in the Park  – Canoe, Kayak and Tube rentals at the park.

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 Ride and Wall Ride are just two exciting features located within the mountain bike area. 

  • Two pump tracks for adults and young riders.

Link to Mountain Bike Trail Map Bogue Chitto Bike Trail Video Thumbnail
 

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.

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.
 

Nearby Bogue Chitto State Park

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