Louisiana: Bogue Chitto Delivers More Than Expected from a “Big Creek”

Bogue Chitto State Park in southeastern Louisiana is a great place to visit for a fun day trip or relaxing weekend. If you aren’t from Louisiana, you might need help pronouncing the park’s name. Louisianans call it “Bow-guh Chit-tuh.” The name’s origin comes from the Choctaw tribe and means “big creek.” But the name only begins to describe a park that features nearly 1,800 acres of rolling wooded landscape filled with streams, ponds and the Bogue Chitto River.

HIKING TRAILS

Take the challenge of walking the park’s seven miles of trails to get a feel for the entire park. Another option is to walk the Main Loop Trail, which will cut the distance in half. It connects with side trails such as the one to the meeting room that you can ignore, but we highly recommended taking the options for going into the lower gorge area. That’s one of the park’s best hiking destinations. Another good choice is to take the side trail to the beach day-use area to get a great view of the Bogue Chitto River.

Be prepared with insect repellant when hiking. Parts of the Main Loop Trail parallel the river and cross streams. You’ll encounter buzzing and biting bugs there.

The 4-mile single-track mountain bike trail was opened in early 2019 thanks to efforts by the Northshore Off-Road Biking Association. Stop at the park entrance station for information about the trails.

Doug hikes on the Main Loop Trail at Bogue Chitto.

HORSEBACK RIDING TRAILS

The park’s 14 miles of equestrian trails can be accessed from the designated parking area near the park entrance station. You’ll find it by turning left on the first road you encounter after leaving the entrance station. Fees are required for using the equestrian trails.

Park visitors use the Bogue Chitto River for fishing, swimming, tubing and relaxing.

SWIMMING AND BOATING

During normal day-use hours of operation, visitors may swim or boat in the Bogue Chitto River that cuts through the park. Rentals at the park for canoes, kayaks and tubes are offered 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily from April 1 through Labor Day weekend. The rentals include life vests, paddles and shuttle service.

Before you head for the river, you should be aware that it is subject to flash flooding. If you’re there on a day with no chance of rain and flooding, you should still pay attention to the park’s advisory that says the river presents other dangers such as submerged or partially submerged sticks and logs and potentially dangerous wildlife such as venomous snakes

For canoe or tubing trips on the Bogue Chitto River, the park has a canoe launch on its north boundary and a canoe take out on the south end.

FISHING

Fishing is available in the Bogue Chitto River and the park’s 12 freshwater ponds. All visitors 16 or older must have a valid Louisiana fishing license to fish there.

Arla prepares to spike during a volleyball game at the Bogue Chitto courts.

RECREATION

Bogue Chitto has sand volleyball courts by the water playground and a nine-hole Disc Golf Course at the south end of the park near the group camp and meeting room.

Doug and Arla cool down in the water playground.

CAMPING AND LODGING

The park has 81 campsites in prime locations with water and electrical hookup. One of the campgrounds is in the uplands section of the park while the other is in the bottomlands. Both have shower facilities. If you aren’t into camping, Bogue Chitto offers four deluxe cabins for rent (up to eight people) and a deluxe lodge (up to 14 people). There’s also a group camp dormitory with a full kitchen and room for 52 people. Go to the park’s website for camping and lodging information, which you’ll find by scrolling down on the home page.

Arla worries that someone could fall through this hole in the boardwalk.

ARLA’S SHOCKING MOMENT

When hiking on the Main Loop Trail at Bogue Chitto, I encountered a gaping hole in the boardwalk and thought somebody could take a terrible tumble here. Knowing that Linda often trips over obstacles on the trail, I brought the sign to her attention and warned her that a stumble could have serious consequences. What could be lurking in the swamp water below?

Linda and Arla enjoy the serenity and beauty of the Bogue Chitto River.

LINDA’S TAKEAWAY

Bogue Chitto State Park brought back memories of water activities I enjoyed growing up in the hot, humid summers of Louisiana. I tried to explain to Doug what “Louisiana tubing” was, but I struggled because 30 years had passed since I floated in a river for hours with my high school friends.

During our walk in Bogue Chitto, we passed the river and noticed the visitors floating downstream. Seeing the heavy-duty tubes brought back bittersweet memories. We had a blast floating safely in the water, but we also became severely sunburned due to not applying sunscreen. By the end of a long day, I could see my burned skin developing blisters. Back in the 1970s, we used baby oil to attract more sun for tanning—it contributed to us being fried. Another mistake was not wearing water shoes to protect our feet. For me, tubing is a fun way to explore Louisiana rivers without boat paddles. Just remember to wear water shoes and sun protection!

Doug pauses while hiking in the lower gorge.

DOUG’S HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT

Doug: Bogue Chitto opened in August 2010, becoming one of the newest members of the Louisiana State Parks system that begin in 1934. The first three state parks were Camp Moore (now operated by the Camp Moore Historical Association), Fort Pike and Fort McComb State Historic Site, and Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site. Combined the three early parks only comprised a total of 298 acres.

Linda tours the sandy beach on the banks of the Bogue Chitto River.

LOCATION AND HOURS

The park is at 17049 State Park Blvd. in Franklinton and is open daily. The gate is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday (and days preceding holidays). The entrance station hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday (and days preceding holiday). The entrance fee is $3 per person, but seniors (62 and older) and children (3 and younger) are admitted free.

PARTING SHOTS: NATURE ON DISPLAY

Expect to see birds and more wildlife such as armadillos when hiking the Main Loop Trail.

The Main Loop Trail goes through the park’s uplands and bottomlands, giving hikers the chance to experience a diverse mix of natural habitats.

The park also features streams meandering through dense vegetation.

This stream empties into the Bogue Chitto River.

The Main Loop Trail passes many scenic spots along the way.