Backpack Trail Guide

Trails / Louisiana / South-Central Louisiana

Lake Chicot Loop, Chicot State Park

Chicot State Park (north of Ville Platte)

Chicot State Park, north of Ville Platte, wraps about 6,400 acres of rolling hills around Lake Chicot, a man-made lake of about 2,000 acres, according to Wikipedia. A single trail circles the lake, and Louisiana State Parks lists it at 20 miles with “several primitive campsites along the way.”

The Advocate calls it “one of the very few backpacking trails that can be hiked over the course of a few days,” and Country Roads says “it’s best completed as an overnight.”

The hike

The loop was certified as a National Recreation Trail in 1980, under the name Chicot Nature Trail, per the National Recreation Trails database. The park itself joined the state system in 1939, and Wikipedia says the Civilian Conservation Corps, under the direction of the National Park Service, did much of its early development.

Hiking Project lists four trailheads: the South campground, the North campground, the East Landing, and a bridge between the North and South camping areas. It adds that “if you want to camp and hike, you must enter the park at the South campground entrance,” and recommends hiking clockwise. Secret Falls places the main trailhead at the South Landing.

Hiking Project calls it “a lake trail with a few hills and great lakeside views,” with several bridges over the back arms of the lake. It records about 859 feet of total climbing, with the hilliest stretch between the North and South campgrounds, where the paved park road offers an easier alternative. Islands describes “a mix of boardwalks and hilly terrain” with swampland views, and Secret Falls says the habitats run “from upland pine forest to cypress-lined lakefront.” Louisiana State Parks notes that much of the trail is also geared toward mountain bikers.

The six backcountry sites are spread along the loop. Louisiana Sportsman, writing in April 2025, quotes park manager Jessica Earles, who says the park has “more than 20 miles of trails,” and lists “six backpack sites along the trail and a group primitive site mostly used by Boy Scouts.” Islands says the sites are “tucked inside tranquil coves.”

At the South Landing, the Louisiana State Arboretum has its own short trails through beech-magnolia forest; Islands says pets aren’t allowed there. Hiking Project warns that “once the rains start in the winter and throughout the spring, the trail will hold water.”

For a point-to-point overnight in the Kisatchie National Forest, see the Wild Azalea Trail.

Tips

Camping

Louisiana State Parks lists six backcountry campsites along the trail, each for up to six people, available first come, first served; it also lists a primitive group camping area at the North Landing. Other sources say to book: The Advocate says backpackers reserve backcountry sites through the park, and Islands says a permit is required. The park also has developed campgrounds, cabins, and lodges. The park office is at 3469 Chicot Park Road, Ville Platte.

Inside Intel: No detailed camper accounts recommending a specific backcountry site were found. A 2023 Komoot tip marks a bluff overlook with a backcountry campsite, where “a small detour from the main loop trail will bring you to the water’s edge,” and advises checking with the ranger station to reserve.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

Standing water on the Lake Chicot Loop:

Hiking Project warns the trail holds water once the winter and spring rains start. We compared the Arc'teryx Beta SL with the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L and Outdoor Research Foray 3L.

Compare the shells →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.