MAIN Beaches US Louisiana Beaches

Even before the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Coast oil spill, the Louisiana coast is mostly delta and marshland. It was never known for its spectacular beaches or pristine natural coastline.

As always, better to make your way to the state parks or lake beaches, offering well-managed and monitored sites for swimming, fishing, sailing, camping, and many first class opportunities for water sports of all kinds...

North Beach, Lake Charles, Louisiana - Photos and information on the city surrounded by a lake, with hours and admission to North Beach and related info on nearby Prien Lake Park and related attractions in and around Calcasieu Parish.

Grand Isle State Park - Storms have eroded much of the beachfront and the BP disaster has left gobs of oil, preventing swimming or fishing. As of spring 2011 the park was still closed to visitors, but click to see the latest updates.

Cypremort Point State Park - An 185-acre site on the Gulf offering swimming, fishing and sailing. The site offers a brief guide with photos, maps and driving directions, plus decriptions of nearby attractions if you get bored with the beach.

Fontainebleau State Park - Offering sandy beaches and swimming, fishing, boating; picnicking, tent and trailer sites; with maps and photos accompanying descriptive text, complete contact info and other nearby attractions.

Lake Claiborne State Park - Created not long ago by damming Bayou D'Arbonne, and with more background info, photos, maps, driving directions and nearby attractions.

Jimmie Davis State Park at Caney Lake - Fisherman's heaven, plus a sandy lakefront beach for swimming, with descriptions of camping and picnicking facilities, photos, contact info, driving directions, maps.

Lake Bruin State Park - More fishing or swimming opportunities, together with a brief history of the park, photos, maps, directions.

also see -> Louisiana campgrounds | Louisiana tourism