How To Stay Cool This Summer

For years, I would travel to Mississippi in summer to paddle cool creeks and streams, never thinking I might find similar adventures in Louisiana. After all, our state’s waterways tend to move slowly and remain rather warm, less so than our neighboring state. Not the most refreshing in summertime.

But over the years, I’ve found ways to cool off in Louisiana waters, whether in lakes and streams or something man-made.

Water Access

The damming of the Sabine River created the massive Toledo Bend, one of the country’s largest reservoirs and an excellent place for fishing. Two Louisiana state parks bookend the lake and provide water access, pools for summer months and boat ramps. And North Toledo Bend State Park and South Toledo Bend State Park rent cabins and sites for tent and RV camping so visitors may linger and relax at the water’s edge.

Many people flock to Lincoln Parish Park near Ruston for its incredible mountain bike trails but one of its best-kept secrets is a lovely lake with a beach guarded by a lifeguard in summer months. Visitors may also paddle kayaks and canoes and hike the shaded trail about the lake. Best time to visit Lincoln Parish is now, for those “Ruston Reds” peaches are hitting peak ripeness. Stop by Mitcham Farms for some peach ice cream, sure to cool off even the hottest day.

It’s a small beach but folks love the swimming hole and waterfall at Kisatchie Bayou within the Kisatchie Forest outside of Natchitoches. Best of all, visitors may camp along the water’s edge, launch their canoes or take in some fishing. Just be mindful of the rocks that get slippery in summer.

Louisiana State Parks offers numerous beaches. Mandeville’s Fontainebleau gets folks right on Lake Pontchartrain, Cypremont Point and Lake Claiborne state parks both feature beaches and for those who love Gulf waters, there’s Rutherford Beach, Holly Beach and Grand Isle.

Water Sports

For those who don’t want to work hard at getting cool, slip on sunglasses and sunscreen and relax in a tube and float downstream. Several outfitters are ready and able to get visitors on the Bogue Chitto River on the Northshore above New Orleans and the Whiskey Chitto north of Lake Charles. Many also rent kayaks and canoes.

Water Parks

No swimming pool, no problem. Louisiana has more than its share of water parks.

The largest water park, with easy access off Interstate 10, remains Blue Bayou in Baton Rouge, with both mild and dramatic water slides, a wave pool, lazy river and pools for the little ones. Baton Rouge’s BREC Recreation and Parks Commission opened Liberty Lagoon Water Park near the parish’s main library, offering tube slides, lazy river, the ShockWave where visitors may practice their surfing skills and pools.

Both parks feature concessions, lockers and other accessories.

Sulphur’s Spar Waterpark in the southwest corner of Louisiana provides fun for all ages, from its adrenaline-pumping waterslide to lazy river rafting and entertainment at Parrot Island.

Hike the trails, rent a cabin surrounded by woods or slip your boat into the Vermilion River for some cool catches, but don’t miss Palmetto Island State Park’s splash pad by its welcome center. Many Acadiana residents visit the park on those sweltering days just for the splash fountain.

RV Spots

There are numerous RV resorts that offer ponds for fishing and swimming along with resort-style pools. Tiger’s Trail RV Resort with its lazy river and pool lies adjacent to L’Auberge Baton Rouge along the River Road in Baton Rouge. Gator Grounds RV Resort near Bunkie offers both an indoor and outdoor waterpark. Visitors to Camp Margaritaville RV Resort near Henderson may choose between three outdoor pools with fun accessories, even a swim-up bar. Relax in the lazy river at Sun Outdoors New Orleans North Shore RV park, which also includes an adult pool with a swim-up bar and cabanas.