Enjoy the Outdoors Year-Round in Southwest Louisiana

Jeff Adkins

Southwest Louisiana is a place where you can go for an exhilarating hike through nature – or a leisurely walk on the golf course – while enjoying comfortable 60-degree weather. In February. Yes, one of the many perks of living here is that the outdoor activities in Lake Charles and the surrounding communities do not close up shop for the winter. Fun abounds year-round at the area’s various parks, rivers and bayous. 

“This region experiences a generally mild climate throughout the year, making it a perfect destination for outdoor activities,” says Matt Young, director of public relations for Visit Lake Charles. “Without extreme temperatures hindering the experience, people can enjoy exploring the scenic natural areas and diverse ecosystems.” 

This includes a popular ecosystem that combines open green spaces, trees, tall grass, water and sand, otherwise known as the golf course. SWLA boasts several quality courses and plenty of beautiful days on which to play – the perfect combination of fun and sun. 

Golf Courses in Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana

Options include the Contraband Bayou Golf Club, designed by world-renowned golf architect Tom Fazio; The National Golf Club of Louisiana, which can be challenging but also is considered a good training ground for newcomers to the sport; and Mallard Golf Club, a Scottish links-style course that is part of the Louisiana Audubon Golf Trail. 

For those who like a mix of indoor and outdoor recreation, Koasati Pines Golf Club at Coushatta Casino Resort, and The Country Club at the Golden Nugget provide golfing fun along with casino games.

The Koasati Pines course is a beauty, with stately pines and oaks lining the 18 holes and 65 acres of lakes scattered throughout the 7,600-yard layout, while The Country Club at the Golden Nugget has been honored by Golfweek as one of the best courses in Louisiana. 

Tremendous Trails Everywhere

Since Southwest Louisiana is filled with scenic lakes, lush marshes and hidden bayous, it is an ideal place to explore by land and water. Hiking is an especially popular activity, partly because many of the trails are easy to access. 

“Connecting with nature is simpler here, as most of the trails are located within minutes from residential areas,” Young says. “The region is surrounded by natural beauty that provides opportunities for nature lovers to explore the rich flora and fauna.” 

One of the most popular hiking sites is Sam Houston Jones State Park, featuring trails that wind through piney woods along the banks of the Calcasieu River. Young also recommends both the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge and Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, located just south of Lake Charles near the Gulf of Mexico. The two refuges have a variety of boardwalks and trails that wrap the coastal marshes and swamps, with wildlife viewing that ranges from birds to alligators. 

In addition, Young says a favorite among locals is Riverside Park in north Lake Charles. The 210-acre park has hiking/biking trails running along the Calcasieu River as well as fishing areas and playgrounds. 

“It’s a blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities that will make you forget you’re just minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown,” Young says. 

There also will be 11 miles of hiking trails along the new Bayou Greenbelt, which is in the early stages of development. But the key component of the greenbelt will be the ability to take a kayak or other watercraft on a continuous 26-mile trip along the rivers and bayous that encircle Lake Charles. 

“You’ll be able to go from urban to marsh to swamp and back to urban,” project founder Mike Nodier says. 

Current opportunities to explore the region via water can be found through kayak launches at White Oak Park, Niblett’s Bluff Park, Anthony Ferry Boat Launch, Riverside Park and Prien Lake Park. 

“Beyond the natural beauty of Southwest Louisiana, these well-designed outdoor spaces contribute to the identity of our community,” Young says. “Parks, trails and recreational opportunities are symbols of community pride, and we love to entertain thousands of outdoor enthusiasts annually who come to experience Louisiana’s Playground.”

Parks Galore

SWLA is dotted with fun, scenic parks – and people of all ages find them to be the perfect pastime. Examples include The Grove at Heritage Square in Sulphur, which offers a tranquil setting within a city environment. The Grove is set in a pecan grove and features walking paths, picnic areas, Wi-Fi and a stage for festivals. Also on-site is Sulphur Regional Library’s Little Free Library, a birdhouse-type structure where individuals can pick up a book to take home and read.

Drew Park in Lake Charles features a walking/jogging trail and a playground that kids love – not to mention it’s home to the Drew Park Family Community Center, which has pool tables, video games and seasonal painting classes. Lake Arthur Park & Boardwalk in Lake Arthur is the centerpiece of the city’s downtown district, with the 11-acre park situated along a 3-mile waterfront beach area of the lake. Residents and visitors can stroll along the beach as well as go swimming, sunbathing, picnicking and fishing. Plus, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent. 

Coming Soon: New Bayou Greenbelt

A volunteer-driven initiative is aiming to increase access and viewing enjoyment to all that water for kayakers, cyclists, joggers and anybody else seeking to take advantage of the health benefits from being in the great outdoors. 

Once completed, the Bayou Greenbelt will provide a network of blue and green trails, adding to the already abundant outdoor activities in Lake Charles.

“I’m envisioning one day being able to take a boat ride all the way around the city,” says project founder Mike Nodier, co-owner of the Lake Charles-based engineering firm Polaris EPC. “It’s going to make our outdoor recreation more accessible for people.” 

Though he was born in New Iberia, Nodier’s family was originally from Lake Charles. He moved to the city in 1995, attracted by all the region’s outdoor activities. Over the years, Nodier contemplated ways to utilize the natural resources to entice more young professionals into the region. 

“I wanted people to see all the benefits of living here when it comes to outdoor recreation,” Nodier says. “With all these waterways that touch every corner of the city, I thought it would be neat to connect them and basically circumnavigate the city with access to kayaking and canoeing.” 

And thus the idea for the Bayou Greenbelt was born. Nodier pitched the concept to the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, which quickly embraced the proposal. 

“I loved it from the beginning,” says Jon Manns, who was board chair of the Community Foundation at that time. “I immediately saw the significant appeal this would have to the area in terms of quality of life and things to do.” 

Nodier and the Community Foundation submitted a proposal to the National Park Service seeking the agency’s assistance in managing the project, a request that was accepted in 2021. That was followed by the commission of a study from The Water Institute, a nonprofit research organization based in Baton Rouge. 

But what truly convinced Nodier that the project could be successful was the broad public backing it received. As part of the submittal process to the NPS, Nodier says he received 16 letters of support from various local clubs and organizations, including the Pelican Paddlers of SWLA, the Southwest Louisiana Master Naturalists and the Gulf Coast Bird Club. 

“We haven’t solicited for any funding yet, but we have already received a lot just from individuals contributing,” Nodier says. “It’s such an easy project to sell. People love the concept. Citizens from all parts of Lake Charles have come out in support of it.” 

Although the project is still in the early stages, some elements are moving beyond the planning process. Nodier says city officials are working to have a pair of kayak launch sites installed on the Contraband Bayou this year, and an initial 2.5-mile section of trail is expected to be created stemming from landscaping improvements along the Contraband that McNeese State University already has completed. 

“McNeese really transformed that area, and it’s helped show people what’s possible with this project and what it has the potential of doing,” Manns says. “We’re going to be enhancing the natural parts along these bodies of water, making something that people want to see and use.” 

While the trails will create a convenient exercise opportunity, Manns says he is particularly enthused about how the Bayou Greenbelt will open up new accessibility along the area’s many waterways. 

“At the north end of the Kayouche Coulee is an absolutely gorgeous stretch of water that hardly anybody has ever seen because there is no easy way to get a boat in there,” Manns says. “This project is going to expand the options of getting out on the water and increase the amount of safe biking and walking paths. It’s a significant quality-of-life opportunity for the city.” 

– Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.