Cabin camping near Bastrop, Louisiana offers options within a one-hour drive radius from the small northeastern Louisiana town. Located in Morehouse Parish where the terrain is predominantly flat with cypress-filled bayous and hardwood forests, temperatures range from summer highs in the 90s to winter lows occasionally dropping below freezing. Most cabin facilities operate year-round with busier periods during summer months when water recreation becomes the primary attraction.
What to do
Creek exploration by paddle craft: At Chemin-A-Haut State Park, visitors can rent kayaks or canoes to view remarkable cypress trees. "This is a hidden gem north of Bastrop, Louisiana... Best feature in the park is the Chemin-A-Haut Creek where 1000 year old Cypress trees are scattered throughout. Rent a kayak or canoe to paddle to them," explains reviewer Nicki M.
Fishing from cabin-adjacent piers: Many cabins at Lake D'Arbonne State Park provide direct water access. "Just a beautiful, hilly campground on a gorgeous lake.. Lots of trails. They have been doing some improvements such as cutting trees while we were there but an awesome park!" notes Steve S.
Hiking forest trails: Multiple parks offer hiking trails of varying difficulty, with Lake D'Arbonne providing well-maintained paths. "The park was very quiet and clean. The shower house and bathrooms were clean too. We camped in a tent and they have sand pits for the tents to sit in. The park is beautiful, especially right now with a the changing colors of the trees," shares Alayna J.
What campers like
Peaceful, uncrowded settings: Chemin-A-Haut State Park typically maintains lower occupancy rates. "Have camped here on multiple occasions. Every time there have been very few campers so it's almost like having the entire campgrounds to yourself," reports Nicki M.
Wildlife observation opportunities: Several parks feature natural habitats for observing local wildlife. "Raccoons are very curious and obviously human fed because they will walk right up to you," cautions one Chemin-A-Haut visitor about the sometimes too-friendly local fauna.
Boat rentals beyond kayaks: Moro Bay State Park offers comprehensive water recreation options. "You can rent bikes, kayaks, pedal boats and small fishing boats," explains reviewer Melissa, adding helpful details for water-based activities.
What you should know
Water level variations: Water conditions impact recreation opportunities significantly. "Water has been high for a few months so its ugly and not so useable. There's supposed to be a route by canoe to old growth trees but water is too high," notes Pam G. about conditions at Chemin-A-Haut State Park.
Wi-Fi availability varies: Connectivity options differ between parks. "Cellular service isn't great but they do have Wi-Fi," mentions Heath H. about Chemin-A-Haut's technology amenities.
Supplies and provisions: Plan ahead for necessary items. Moro Bay State Park offers limited supplies: "Camp store on site has basics, like ice and firewood," explains Bob M., adding that "El Dorado about 23 miles away for groceries/supplies/liquids."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple parks offer dedicated play areas for children. At Moro Bay State Park, "Playground and recreation field are fantastic. You can rent bikes, kayaks, pedal boats and small fishing boats," reports Melissa.
Ranger assistance: Staff can enhance the camping experience. At Lake D'Arbonne, one visitor shared: "The locals and park rangers are also very nice. I locked my keys in my car and the park ranger helped me get ahold to a person to unlock it. He also gave us some camping tips and helped us build a fire and gather firewood."
Kid-friendly campground features: Some locations have unexpected attractions for children. At Moro Bay State Park, one reviewer mentioned: "grandkids had a blast with the campground cat he even slept in the tent with em great place to spend Christmas."
Tips from RVers
Level sites: Many cabins share campgrounds with RV sites that feature level concrete pads. At Bayou Boeuf RV Park, "Super nice owners! Dwayne was very accommodating...good price for full hookup. Quiet and convenient campground... Level spot. Cell phone service and bathroom with shower available," notes Kristi D.
Bathroom and shower quality: Facility maintenance varies between parks. At Chemin-A-Haut, "Bathrooms are hands down the best I've ever seen. Campsites aren't on top of each other but are pretty close," according to Taylor C.
Weather impact considerations: Seasonal conditions can affect stays. One camper at Lake D'Arbonne noted: "We had a great time even with bad weather. Rained the entire weekend but we still had a blast on the trials and docks."
