Lake D'Arbonne and Lake Claiborne provide core glamping options near Bernice, Louisiana, a small community in Union Parish. The region's humid subtropical climate features hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Seasonal transitions bring significant rainfall, particularly in spring, which impacts trail conditions at local glamping destinations.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Lake Claiborne State Park features two courses with well-marked baskets. "Two Disc Golf Courses and hiking trails. Nice facilities with all lodging options from primitive tent, yurt, RV hookups, and cabins," notes a visitor at Lake Claiborne State Park.
Kayaking ancient cypress trees: Paddling opportunities extend beyond the main lakes. "Rent a kayak or canoe to paddle to them," advises a camper about the 1000-year-old cypress trees at Chemin-A-Haut State Park, noting "Chemin-A-Haut Creek where 1000 year old Cypress trees are scattered throughout."
Tennis and recreation: Several parks offer structured sporting facilities beyond water activities. A guest at Lake D'Arbonne mentions, "Tennis courts, swimming pool (closed for winter), horse shoe pit, laundry mat, disc golf, and awesome clean bathrooms."
What campers like
Modern bathhouse facilities: Glamping near Bernice features exceptionally clean restrooms. "Bathrooms are hands down the best I've ever seen," reports a visitor to Chemin-A-Haut State Park, while another notes the "nice, new, and clean restroom and shower facility with coin-operated laundry."
Premium lakefront sites: Select glamping locations offer direct water access. "We stayed here at site 14. Had a long pier over the water, and plenty of space between campers," shares a guest at Lake Claiborne State Park Campground, highlighting the premium waterfront positioning.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides abundant animal sightings. "Whitetail deer, owls, fish/gar, butterflies, dragonflies, fireflies, and much more!" enthuses a Lake Claiborne visitor about the diverse ecosystem surrounding glamping areas.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between glamping locations. "Wi-Fi did not work anywhere in park (signal broadcasted fine just no connection to internet) AT&T is non existent," reports a Lake Claiborne camper, while another notes at Jimmie Davis State Park: "Has wifi, just not a good signal."
Seasonal water levels: Water conditions affect accessibility to certain attractions. A Chemin-A-Haut visitor explains: "Went to go to kayak out to Castle Tree and found out the water was too high to really see the base of it and it's a two hr paddle upstream on the way there. So plan on calling ahead."
Leveling challenges: Some sites require equipment for proper setup. A camper at Chemin-A-Haut warns: "Just have to be careful what sight you book, because I almost never got my camper level in sight #21."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Family-friendly glamping includes dedicated play spaces. "The park has playgrounds and pavilions," notes a visitor to Chemin-A-Haut, while another mentions Jimmie Davis State Park has a "nice splash pad and beach for kids. Also a couple parks and many hammocks."
Kid-friendly water features: Several glamping destinations offer controlled swimming areas. Jimmie Davis State Park Campground includes "a nice splash pad and beach area for the kids to play," according to a camper who called it a "Peaceful Family Spot."
Wildlife education opportunities: Local fauna provides natural learning experiences. A Lake Claiborne visitor details, "Whitetail deer, owls, fish, butterflies, dragonflies, fireflies, and much more!" making these encounters part of the glamping experience.
Tips from RVers
Limited sewer hookups: Not all glamping sites offer full connections. A Jimmie Davis camper notes: "Not a big deal for a weekend visit, but may be an inconvenience if it were a longer stay," referring to the lack of sewage hookups at premium waterfront sites.
Tight parking areas: Some glamping locations have challenging site dimensions. "Tight spots but nice stay will go back," comments a visitor to Chemin-A-Haut State Park, indicating the need for careful maneuvering.
Laundry availability: Several glamping destinations provide washing facilities. "The RV camping area has a nice, new, and clean restroom and shower facility with coin-operated laundry," confirms a Chemin-A-Haut visitor, an important consideration for extended stays.
