Holbrook Park

Holbrook Park might be one of the better-kept secret spots to camp in southern Louisiana, located just 15 miles northwest of Lake Charles and practically across the street from Sam Houston Jones State Park. The West Fork of the Calcasieu River creates about half of the park’s outer perimeter while also providing some really beautiful scenes along the shores of the park. You’d be wise to bring a camera.

The park itself is not that expansive and really easy to navigate. As soon as you pull into the park, you’re greeted by a wonderful view of the small picturesque lake found on the property. This small lake is good for fishing off of the docks offered by the park or taking a leisurely paddle through the shallow waters. The water here is clear and gives a good view of the abundant vegetation just below the surface of the water. If you’re looking to take in more landscapes than the 20-acre pond, grab your paddleboard, kayak, canoe, or motorized boat and hop on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River. The park is equipped with a boat ramp and a paddle put-in that makes exploration of the river a breeze. There is no day fee for using the park so this makes Holbrook a great option for people just looking to get on the river for a couple hours. The flow of the river is almost nonexistent, so there is no need for a shuttle if you’re paddling. Drifting down the Calcasieu on a nice day is a real treat.

Campers will rejoice to find cheaper-than-usual rates at Holbrook Park compared to surrounding state parks and RV parks. Holbrook Park offers primitive tent camping and RV camping. The park has 13 RV hookups with water and electricity. If you plan on camping in an RV, you may want to call ahead or reserve your campsite online as the RV spots may fill up during the weekend. The park also has public restrooms with showers, a playground, a large pavilion that can be reserved for private events, and lots of spots for picnics.