Sam Houston Jones State Park features newly renovated campsites with full hookup options and expanded areas for RVs following recent renovations. This Louisiana state park sits at the confluence of the Houston and Calcasieu Rivers, creating diverse wetland ecosystems. The park maintains several hiking trails through bottomland forests where visitors regularly encounter native wildlife including alligators, deer, and numerous bird species.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Sam Houston Jones State Park offers designated observation points along trails where visitors can safely view local wildlife. "I saw a couple of lounging alligators, egrets, snapping turtles, deer, and a chipmunk! I was kind of scared when I saw a sign on the trails warning of the gators!" reports Cat R.
Fishing and water recreation: Myers Landing and RV Park provides direct lake access for fishing enthusiasts. According to Jackson C., the location is "Clean well kept. Extremely friendly staff beautiful location." The waterfront sites allow campers to launch boats or fish directly from their camping area.
Biking trails: The renovated paths at Sam Houston Jones State Park offer wider, more accessible routes suitable for biking. "Nice wide hiking/biking trails, lots of water access, beautiful new bridges and a nice big playground," notes one visitor, highlighting the improved infrastructure for cyclists.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Recent renovations have significantly improved the cleanliness of facilities at Sam Houston Jones State Park. "The State Park was clean grass was cut, workers always walking around picking up trash," writes Ricky B., indicating consistent maintenance throughout the grounds.
Family amenities: Little Lake Charles Resort features recreational facilities designed for families. One camper mentioned, "Lots to do with pool, water slide, water play area mini golf and fishing," making this location particularly suitable for those camping with children.
Spacious sites: The newly designed camping areas at Sam Houston Jones State Park offer more room between sites. Stephen D. observed the changes, noting "fine renovations clean restrooms with WiFi. $20 night with senior discount," highlighting the improved site layout and added amenities.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds in the area have reported issues with water quality. At Myers Landing, one camper noted, "The water smelled very badly like metal and we had to turn it off and use our own tank water since it smelled so yucky. Not sure if that's the case on every camp site."
Weather impact: The Lake Charles region experiences frequent rain during certain seasons, affecting ground conditions. "It rained almost the entire time we were there so didn't get to explore as much as we would have liked... it rained the entire time, so the site was muddy, but not as bad as we thought it would get," explains a reviewer at Sam Houston Jones State Park.
Site leveling requirements: Many sites in the area require leveling equipment. "Most of the campground is not level, but nothing bad enough that you can't get level with blocks," advises one camper, suggesting visitors bring appropriate leveling gear for their setups.
Tips for camping with families
Budget planning: Glamping options near Lake Charles, Louisiana range widely in price, with state park sites starting around $20-28 per night and private resorts charging considerably more. Discounts are available for seniors at some locations.
Activity scheduling: Visit Little Lake Charles Resort for family-centered activities that don't rely on weather conditions. A visitor noted, "We had great time. Love the laundry mat lol is a blessing when you have kids in the pool everyday."
Safety awareness: Jean LaFitte RV Park offers basic accommodations with fewer natural features. One camper observed, "Despite everyone being actually quite friendly, I would have felt a little more relaxed if I had a large dog with me," suggesting families consider security when choosing less developed camping areas.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When booking at Sam Houston Jones State Park, consider site #53. "We were in spot #53 and I would highly recommend that spot. We only had one neighbor to one side, and it felt a bit more isolated than the others," recommends one RVer.
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites at Sam Houston Jones State Park are limited and fill quickly on weekends. "Some spots have full hook-up, while others are electricity and water only. Ours was electricity and water only. The dump station is nearby and if you need to dump with a tote you could easily do so," advises a long-term visitor.
Connectivity information: Cell service remains strong throughout most Lake Charles area glamping sites. "Internet access was good. We had 3-4 bars of AT&T and Verizon," confirms one reviewer, making these locations suitable for remote workers and those needing reliable connections.
