Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Lake Charles, LA

Sam Houston Jones State Park offers pet-friendly camping with full hookup sites for RVs and tent camping areas where dogs are welcome throughout the grounds. Several campgrounds near Lake Charles accommodate pets, including Intracoastal Parish Park Campground and White Oak Parish Park, both providing water and electric hookups for campers traveling with animals. Most parks require pets to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet, though some properties like Holbrook Parish Park feature designated off-leash areas where dogs can exercise freely. Campgrounds typically limit pets to 2-3 per site, with some locations charging nominal pet fees ranging from $2-5 per night. The concrete pads at many RV sites provide clean surfaces for pet owners, minimizing mud and dirt tracked into campers. Campgrounds near Lake Charles are listed with photos on The Dyrt.

Designated dog parks at several campgrounds provide fenced areas where pets can socialize off-leash, with Red Shoes RV Park offering a particularly spacious dog run according to visitor reports. Hiking trails throughout Sam Houston Jones State Park welcome leashed pets, though owners should remain vigilant for wildlife including alligators that inhabit the park's waterways. Most campgrounds provide waste stations with bags and disposal bins, and campers report good cell service for accessing emergency veterinary information if needed. The climate considerations for pets include hot, humid summers where shade and water access become essential for camping dogs. Rutherford Beach offers rare beach access for dogs, with hard-packed sand suitable for walking pets along the shoreline, though swimming is occasionally restricted due to bacteria levels.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Lake Charles, Louisiana (51)

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Lake Charles, LA

139 Reviews of 51 Lake Charles Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 11, 2023

    Red Shoes RV Park & Chalets

    Kinder, LA….A favorite

    Check in was a breeze. Ample sized cement sites with picnic tables. Our 42” 5th wheel has 4 slides and the site was roomy. Hookups we’re good. We were close to dog park which was perfect. Lovely clean campground. The lodge where you register was pretty. Could be marked better as it doesn’t mention anything about registration. There is a guard shack but doesn’t seem to be managed 24/7. So it’s kind of a false sense of security. The pool is large but a long way from the rv park itself. They have a 24 hour shuttle that takes to back and forth to casino. That really is all there is to do here as Lake Charles is 44 min away. We had some people at their camper who felt they should share their music with the entire park. I realize they’re allowed to have loud music until a certain time- however when you can hear it over your TV while sitting in your camper I just think that’s rude! The laundry is very small considering the size of the park and it seemed that people from the hotel used it which I don’t understand as it’s for the RV park. They have 4 dryers only 2 working, 4 washers only 3 working. I had to wait for people to finish with washers and dryers in order to do my 2 loads. Never spent 3 hours doing laundry before. These people were definitely NOT rv’ers! They had suitcases!

  • Kaitlynn B.
    May. 29, 2022

    Blue Heron RV Park

    Best stop in Lake Charles

    Just east of Lake Charles in Iowa, LA. Paved sites, lights, wifi, spacious, big rig friendly, staff friendly. Received first time customer discount! Will stop again when passing through.

  • t
    Oct. 23, 2023

    Blue Heron RV Park

    Very Nice

    This is a very nice park, not far off of I-10 east of Lake Charles LA. All pads are concrete and there are laundry and showers on site. John the manager is very personable and helpful.

  • Erich H.
    Dec. 5, 2023

    Beyonder Resort Cajun Moon

    Best RV Campground in the area

    We were only here on a two-day stint to visit a friend as we were heading back home. The staff was great, and the campground was newish and very well maintained. It is also known as A+ Motel and RV Park. Has 2 pools (1 adult pool with a jacuzzi). 15-minute drive to Lake Charles.

  • Tara N.
    Nov. 19, 2018

    Paradise RV Park

    Paved sites, clean bathrooms, few amenities

    This campground is one of the few full hookup campgrounds in the Lake Charles area that has paved sites. It is clean and well maintained. There are two bathrooms with showers that have keypad access. The laundry room is clean but expensive with small washers. Cable is available at all sites as well as WiFi. No other amenities.

  • P
    Nov. 14, 2021

    Twelve Oaks RV Park

    Good for an Overnighter

    Very simple park with few trees but great for an overnight or short stay if you need to be near Lake Charles. I was warmly greeted during check-in. Sites are full hookup and wifi actually worked with reasonable speeds of about 5 mbps. They are also accommodating to overnighters and provided me an easy access pull through for when I left in the morning. I just gave it a 3 because I found nothing bad nor exceptional to swing a rating either way.

  • rspillers84
    Sep. 23, 2024

    Vinton RV Park

    Laundry, Electric, Wifi All Included in Lot Rent!

    The clubhouse at this park just outside Lake Charles is seriously impressive. It’s huge and offers everything you could need from billiards, shuffleboard, a cozy reading nook, restrooms, a full kitchen, and tons of seating for parties or events. 

    There's also a super spacious co-working office space, which is rarely used, making it even better if you need a quiet spot to work. 

    The park also has a great pool, perfect for relaxing. 

    For $575/month it’s an incredible deal as electric, Wi-Fi, free laundry and the premium amenities are all included in the rent!

  • rspillers84
    Sep. 23, 2024

    Vinton RV Park

    All the Amenities You Could Want, All included in the Lot Rent

    This Park is a hidden gem just outside Lake Charles.

    The pool is great, but the massive clubhouse is most impressive with billiards, shuffleboard, a cozy reading nook, a full kitchen, restrooms and plenty of seating for events or parties. And they also have a separate large co-working office space, all available to the guests and rarely used I might add making it even nicer.

    Free laundry, Wifi and Electric (included in your lot rent).

    $575/mo for grass/gravel pad may sound high, but when you realize that it includes all of this you realize it's actually a great deal!

  • Mike V.
    Aug. 22, 2016

    Sam Houston Jones State Park — Sam Houston Jones State Park District II

    Camping, hiking, canoeing, birding at Sam Hou Jones State Park -- sw LA

    Typical state park campground area to suite campers/rv's & tents. Must reserve sites for 2-day minimums or more on weekends. Many of the campsites are shaded. They have bath houses w/ showers and flush toilets. Since it is close to Lake Charles, LA and other towns, this park does get used by both locals and others. SHJSP is surrounded by water on 2 or 3 sides, and has low water areas within the park. Thus, it is a popular place to go for fishing, canoeing, kayaking. The birding is very good here most times of the year, and there is deer that live on state park property here. Mosquitos can be really rough here certain times of the year. Hiking trails are ok here, but nothing awesome, except a couple boardwalks & viewing platforms are nice.


Guide to Lake Charles

Sam Houston Jones State Park and surrounding campgrounds provide multiple options for pet owners in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September, while winters remain mild with occasional cold fronts dropping temperatures into the 40s. Spring camping often coincides with crawfish season, creating unique outdoor cooking opportunities at many local sites.

What to do

Wildlife viewing along waterways: Sam Houston Jones State Park offers extensive hiking trails where visitors can observe native species. "If you like Louisiana Wildlife this is the place for you! 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!" notes Cat R. at Sam Houston Jones State Park.

Fishing from docks: Intracoastal Parish Park Campground provides well-maintained facilities for anglers. "There is a covered fish station to clean your catch right on the pier and a boat launch. It was great to watch the tugs push barges all day," reports Annette L. at Intracoastal Parish Park Campground.

River walks and birding: Multiple trails follow waterways, offering excellent bird watching opportunities. "We were able to walk the trail beside the river which was very nice and well-maintained," shares Meandering Life at Sam Houston Jones State Park, adding that "the trail provided some good wildlife."

What campers like

Budget-friendly rates: Parish parks offer excellent value compared to private campgrounds. "Only 8 sites! Clean, quiet, pretty, large pull thru sites, and near the water. Every site has its own USA flag (so cool!!), and a picnic table, bbq grill and fire ring. And best of all $12/night!!" exclaims Kloee S. about White Oak Parish Park Campground.

Convenient river access: Many sites sit directly on waterways with boat launches. "William is the on-site manager, he is a great guy that cares about the campground and the campers. Big pull throughs and the cost is 12 bucks a night! Power and water," reports Robert H. regarding White Oak Parish Park.

Free laundry facilities: Some parks offer uncommon amenities that campers appreciate. "There is a very nice laundry room that is free. That was a great perk. There are 3 washers and 3 dryers. Several of the units seemed brand new," notes Meandering Life at Sam Houston Jones State Park.

What you should know

Mosquito management: The humid climate supports robust insect populations, particularly near water. "Right about dusk when the mosquitos started coming out, a spray truck came in, which was nice," mentions MickandKarla W. at White Oak Parish Park.

Noise considerations: Waterfront campsites experience varied noise levels. "The campground is located on the intracoastal waterway, just under a bridge... my husband didn't sleep well with the traffic and boat noise. If you are a light sleeper I'd suggest a campsite away from both the water and the bridge," advises Connie E. at Intracoastal Parish Park Campground.

Site levelness varies: Prepare leveling equipment as many sites require adjustments. "Most of the campground is not level, but nothing bad enough that you can't get level with blocks," explains Meandering Life regarding Holbrook Parish Park Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Lake Charles include play areas for children. "Park has a day use area, playground, bathrooms, shower, pavilion, dump station, boat ramp. The host is wonderful," states Sue B. about Holbrook Parish Park Campground.

Swimming options: During hot months, look for campgrounds with water recreation. "Great amenities with pool, water slide, water play area, mini golf and fishing," shares Mark J. about Little Lake Charles Resort.

Wildlife safety briefings: Educate children about local wildlife before arrival. "I was kind of scared when I saw a sign on the trails warning of the gators," reports Cat R., highlighting the importance of wildlife awareness when camping with kids.

Tips from RVers

Concrete pad advantages: Several pet-welcoming campgrounds offer solid parking surfaces. "We went directly to pull through site 6 with FHUs. All sites are pull-throughs and the 3 FHUs nearest the bathhouse have long pads (easily fit our 40" 5th wheel and F450) plus are more spacious than their 5 water and electric sites," details MickandKarla W. at White Oak Parish Park.

Satellite reception considerations: Tree coverage affects connectivity at some sites. "Some spots have full hook-up, while others are electricity and water only... Internet access was good. We had 3-4 bars of AT&T and Verizon," notes Meandering Life at Sam Houston Jones State Park.

Seasonal rates: Many Lake Charles area campgrounds offer off-peak pricing. "Cost is $20/night during the week and $28/night on the weekend. These prices are for off-peak season," explains Meandering Life, providing useful budgeting information for RVers visiting Beyonder Resort Cajun Moon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lake Charles, LA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lake Charles, LA is Sam Houston Jones State Park — Sam Houston Jones State Park District II with a 4-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lake Charles, LA?

TheDyrt.com has all 51 dog-friendly camping locations near Lake Charles, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.