Top state parks
State ParkFort Jesup
State ParkChemin-A-Haut State Park
State ParkSt. Bernard State Park
State ParkBayou Segnette State Park
State ParkLake Bruin State Park
State ParkChicot State Park
State ParkLake Bistineau State Park
State ParkLake Claiborne State Park
State ParkLake D'Arbonne State Park
State ParkBogue Chitto State Park
State ParkJimmie Davis State Park
State ParkLongfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site
State Parks by county
All state parks (25)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Jesup | Sabine Parish | — | Many | 2 |
| Chemin-A-Haut State Park | Morehouse Parish | — | Bastrop | 2 |
| St. Bernard State Park | Saint Bernard Parish | — | Poydras | 5 |
| Bayou Segnette State Park | Jefferson Parish | — | Westwego | 7 |
| Lake Bruin State Park | Tensas Parish | — | Saint Joseph | 2 |
| Chicot State Park | Evangeline Parish | — | Ville Platte | 3 |
| Lake Bistineau State Park | Webster Parish | — | Sibley | 3 |
| Lake Claiborne State Park | Claiborne Parish | — | Homer | 2 |
| Lake D'Arbonne State Park | Union Parish | — | Farmerville | 3 |
| Bogue Chitto State Park | Washington Parish | — | Franklinton | 3 |
| Jimmie Davis State Park | Jackson Parish | — | Jonesboro | 2 |
| Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site | Saint Martin Parish | — | Saint Martinville | 5 |
| Palmetto Island State Park | Vermilion Parish | — | Abbeville | 3 |
| Port Hudson State Historic Site | East Baton Rouge Parish | — | Zachary | 4 |
| Fontainebleau State Park | Saint Tammany Parish | — | Mandeville | 5 |
| Cypremort Point State Park | St. Mary Parish | — | Jeanerette | 3 |
| Fairview-Riverside State Park | Saint Tammany Parish | — | Covington | 4 |
| Grand Isle State Park | Jefferson Parish | — | Grand Isle | 2 |
| Tickfaw State Park | Livingston Parish | — | Killian | 3 |
| Lake Fausse Pointe State Park | Iberia Parish | — | Jeanerette | 3 |
| Hodges Gardens State Park | Sabine Parish | — | Many | 2 |
| North Toledo Bend State Park | Sabine Parish | — | Zwolle | 2 |
| Poverty Point Reservoir State Park | Richland Parish | — | Delhi | 4 |
| Sam Houston Jones State Park | Calcasieu Parish | — | Moss Bluff | 5 |
| South Toledo Bend State Park | Vernon Parish | — | Hemphill | 2 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.