Lake D'Arbonne State Park offers premium lakefront campsites with clean facilities and scenic views just 22 miles from Ruston, Louisiana. The park terrain features gently rolling hills surrounding a 15,250-acre lake with extensive cypress trees. Campsite options include standard and premium sites with water and electric hookups, while concrete RV pads provide level camping surfaces.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Claiborne State Park provides excellent fishing access with waterfront sites featuring piers extending over the lake. One visitor noted, "Very pretty camping area. We stayed here at site 14. Had a long pier over the water, and plenty of space between campers." Caney Lake at Jimmie Davis State Park is known for trophy bass fishing, with convenient boat launches and fish cleaning stations available.
Hiking trails: The King of the Mountain Trail at Lake Claiborne State Park features wooden bridges and a small waterfall. According to one camper, "Many wonderfully marked hiking trails, two of the best frisbe golf courses in Louisiana." Lake D'Arbonne offers forest trails through mature trees with fall foliage that creates colorful landscapes around the water.
Water recreation: Both lakes provide swimming options with designated beach areas. Lake Claiborne includes "a nice little beach where the kids can play," while Jimmie Davis offers a splash pad that families appreciate. Kayaking on Lake Claiborne offers peaceful water exploration, with one visitor stating, "Lake Claiborne was a gorgeous lake to kayak on."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Lake D'Arbonne State Park maintains well-kept bathhouses and common areas. A recent visitor commented, "The shower house and bathrooms were clean too. We camped in a tent and they have sand pits for the tents to sit in." Bathhouse facilities at several parks feature climate control, providing comfort in all seasons.
Helpful staff: Park rangers provide assistance beyond basic duties. One camper at Lake D'Arbonne shared, "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." This level of service enhances the camping experience, particularly for less experienced visitors.
Wildlife viewing: Lake Claiborne State Park offers abundant wildlife observation opportunities, including "Whitetail deer, owls, fish/gar, butterflies, dragonflies, fireflies, and much more!" According to reviews, deer are particularly numerous and often visible from campsites, providing natural entertainment for nature enthusiasts.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service and internet access can be unreliable in these parks. A visitor to Lake Claiborne reported, "Absolutely no cell service," while another noted, "Wi-Fi did not work anywhere in park (signal broadcasted fine just no connection to internet) AT&T is non-existent." Plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.
Seasonal considerations: Fall visits showcase spectacular leaf colors at Lake Claiborne State Park, with one reviewer commenting, "The park is beautiful, especially right now with the changing colors of the trees." Summer months typically see higher occupancy rates, with one visitor noting Lake D'Arbonne is "usually busy."
Leveling challenges: Some sites require equipment for proper leveling. A camper at Lake Claiborne mentioned, "Not level ground, but we managed with enough blocks to get it level." Bring leveling blocks if staying in an RV, particularly at the waterfront sites where terrain may be more uneven.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Jimmie Davis State Park offers several features specifically designed for children. A visitor shared, "Beautiful lake with splash pad and park for the kids to play nice beach area." The combination of water features and playground equipment provides multiple recreation options.
Safe biking areas: Lake Claiborne features well-maintained paved areas ideal for children's bikes. One reviewer noted, "The pavement is well kept and great for kids to ride bikes or scooters." These paved surfaces provide a contained recreation space when not hiking or swimming.
Wildlife education: The abundant wildlife at these parks creates natural learning opportunities. Lake Claiborne State Park's deer population in particular offers chances for children to observe animals in their natural habitat. Consider bringing binoculars and wildlife identification materials to enhance the experience.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For RVers wanting water access, Lake Claiborne offers waterfront sites but with limitations. A camper mentioned, "Great Lake spots no sewer on lake spots," requiring use of the dump station for longer stays. Another noted that at Jimmie Davis State Park, "Not a big deal for a weekend visit, but may be an inconvenience if it were a longer stay."
Hookup availability: Lake D'Arbonne provides full hookup sites with reasonable rates. A visitor reported, "Very reasonable sites for $23/night unless you're in the lakeside premium sites which are more." Premium sites typically cost more but offer better views and direct water access.
