Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Holbrook Park might be one of the better-kept secret spots to camp in southern Louisiana, located just 15 miles northwest of Lake Charles and practically across the street from Sam Houston Jones State Park. The West Fork of the Calcasieu River creates about half of the park’s outer perimeter while also providing some really beautiful scenes along the shores of the park. You’d be wise to bring a camera.

The park itself is not that expansive and really easy to navigate. As soon as you pull into the park, you’re greeted by a wonderful view of the small picturesque lake found on the property. This small lake is good for fishing off of the docks offered by the park or taking a leisurely paddle through the shallow waters. The water here is clear and gives a good view of the abundant vegetation just below the surface of the water. If you’re looking to take in more landscapes than the 20-acre pond, grab your paddleboard, kayak, canoe, or motorized boat and hop on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River. The park is equipped with a boat ramp and a paddle put-in that makes exploration of the river a breeze. There is no day fee for using the park so this makes Holbrook a great option for people just looking to get on the river for a couple hours. The flow of the river is almost nonexistent, so there is no need for a shuttle if you’re paddling. Drifting down the Calcasieu on a nice day is a real treat.

Campers will rejoice to find cheaper-than-usual rates at Holbrook Park compared to surrounding state parks and RV parks. Holbrook Park offers primitive tent camping and RV camping. The park has 13 RV hookups with water and electricity. If you plan on camping in an RV, you may want to call ahead or reserve your campsite online as the RV spots may fill up during the weekend. The park also has public restrooms with showers, a playground, a large pavilion that can be reserved for private events, and lots of spots for picnics.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Cheap camping. No day fees. Access to water for paddling.

Cons

Tent camping sites are very exposed.

Features

ADA accessible
Family friendly
Flushing toilets
Dump stations
Potable water
Picnic tables
Covered picnic areas
Boat ramp(s)
Near lake or river
Wildlife
Playground
Fishing

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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Alligators, Monarch butterflies, 400 species of birds, walking trails and natural, Gulf beaches - you can truly surround yourself in nature in Southwest Louisiana along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road. After experiencing the great outdoors, you can enjoy the food, culture, music and art that Louisiana is known for the world over – in just a short drive to Lake Charles, LA.

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