Sam Houston Jones State Park Is the Perfect Summer Escape

KNGT | Lake Charles, LA — Summer is officially here. You know what that means. About a week after school lets out, the kids have already watched everything on YouTube, played every video game they own, raided the pantry three times, and somehow they're standing in the kitchen saying, "I'm bored." Meanwhile, mom and dad are wondering how we're gonna survive until August.

I got to thinking about that this week, and honestly, we've got a pretty good answer sitting right here in Southwest Louisiana that a lot of folks forget about.

I grew up in Sulphur, and if you spent any time outdoors around here, chances are you've been out there at least once. Maybe for a picnic. Maybe for a school field trip. Maybe fishing with your paw paw. Seems like everybody around here has a Sam Houston Jones story.

The thing I like about it is it doesn't feel like you're right outside of Lake Charles. You pull in there and all of a sudden it's quiet. Big pine trees everywhere. Water winding through the park. Birds making noise. You might even spot a deer if you're paying attention and not staring at your phone the whole time.

Which, let's be honest, the kids could probably use a little break from screens anyway. The park covers more than 1,000 acres, and the folks that take care of it have done a pretty good job keeping it natural. That's one reason wildlife is everywhere out there.

And speaking of history, the park wasn't always called Sam Houston Jones. It started out named after Sam Houston, the Texas folk hero who spent time traveling through this part of Louisiana. Later it was renamed after Governor Sam Houston Jones, who helped preserve the land so regular folks like us could enjoy it. Pretty good investment if you ask me.

Now if you've got little ones, the playground alone might buy you an hour or two of peace and quiet. Maybe. No promises.

What is there to do at Sam Houston Jones State Park?

There's a fishing boardwalk, picnic areas, and a covered pavilion if you're planning a family get together. Public restrooms too, which parents know is way more important than people give it credit for. I remember when Hannah was younger, every trip anywhere started with, "Dad, where's the bathroom?" Some things never change.

If you're into camping, they've got RV spots with full hookups, plus cabins and even a big lodge. The cabins already have cookware, dishes, towels, and all that stuff waiting for you. So you don't have to pack half your house just to spend a weekend outdoors. Well... you'll probably still pack half your house. That's what we do.

The water is a big draw too. The boat launch sits on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River and gives you access all the way toward Calcasieu Lake. If you've got a boat, you're set. If you don't, there's kayak rentals right there near the launch. Not gonna lie, kayaking looks like a lot of fun right up until I remember I have knees that are 42 years old. Then I start looking for a comfortable chair instead.

There are hiking trails winding through the park too. The Stagecoach Trail is pretty neat because it follows part of an old route through the area. Then you've got the Orange Trail and Longleaf Pine Trail.

And if you've got kids that ride bikes, load them up. The paved roads are great for riding around, and the Orange Trail gives folks a little off-road adventure.

Bird watchers absolutely love this place. I'm not what you'd call a bird expert. Most of the time I just point and say, "Yep, that's definitely a bird." But apparently nearly 200 species can be spotted around the area during certain times of the year. Folks travel from all over Louisiana to check them out.

One of the coolest things out there might be the longleaf pine forest. These trees have been part of the South for generations. They used to cover millions and millions of acres from Virginia all the way to Texas. Nowadays there's only a fraction left.

That's why the restoration work happening at Sam Houston Jones is such a big deal. More than 70 acres of longleaf pines are being preserved and restored so future generations can experience what much of Louisiana used to look like.

Pretty neat when you stop and think about it. Anyway, if the kids are driving you crazy, if you're looking for something different to do this summer, or if you just need a reason to get outside for a day, Sam Houston Jones State Park is sitting right here in our backyard.

Sometimes we spend so much time looking for something fun to do that we forget about the places we've had all along. And if nothing else, it'll get the kids out of the house for a few hours. That alone might make the trip worth it.