Lake D'Arbonne State Park

Lake D’Arbonne State Park is a small jewel of a site perched on the piney woods hills overlooking a lake. More than six miles of trails weave through the park. 

The site is primarily set in hilly mixed pine-hardwood habitat lined with cypress swamp habitat. It’s adjacent to Lake D’Arbonne, a dam-created reservoir near Farmerville. Common forest bird species include Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-headed, Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers, along with Northern Flicker, and in winter, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Woodland Flycatcher and vireo species abound, as do Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and numerous warbler species, depending on the season. 

Herbaceous species fill gaps in woods and line the woodland edges. That’s where to find Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Common Yellowthroat, and in winter, Dark-eyed Junco and any number of sparrow species. 

Great lake views can be found from any fishing pier and the boat launch. In winter, check stacks of driftwood and logs along the swampy shoreline of the lake for Winter Wren, along with other swamp lovers like Wood Duck, numerous wading bird species, Pileated Woodpecker, Prothonotary and Yellow-throated Warblers. During fall/winter/spring, the open waters of the lake hold many ducks, Double-crested Cormorant, American White Pelican, as well as Osprey and Bald Eagle. 

This park has all the bells and whistles: visitors center, restrooms, plenty of parking, RV and primitive campsites, rental cabins, bathhouse, laundromat, equipment rentals, swimming beach, numerous well-marked nature trails (including one birding trail designed for kids), boat launches and fishing/observation piers, and plenty of identification/directional signage. 

Outdoor recreational offerings include hiking, fishing, biking, paddling, swimming, camping, picnicking, disc golf, nature photography, and regularly scheduled cultural/educational programs. The site is partially handicapped-accessible.