Tickfaw State Park
27225 Patterson Road
Springfield, Louisiana 70462
225-294-5020
888-981-2020
http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/itickfaw.aspx
Although Tickfaw State Park is fairly new, opened in 1999, it is easily one of Louisiana’s most popular parks. Just seven miles west of the town of Springfield, it has easy access from Baton Rouge and New Orleans. It is a listed site of the Louisiana Natural Areas Registry. The park is considered a natural habitat to the area’s wildlife, including white tailed deer, North American beaver, nine-banded armadillo, American alligator, fox, raccoon, squirrel, Virginia opossum, skinks, snowy egret, blue heron, turtle, wild turkey and Carolina anoles. There are plenty of human activities available at Tickfaw State Park as well.
Hours and Fees
Tickfaw State Park is open from 7:00 AM to 9 PM, but is open until 10:00 PM Fridays, Saturdays and days before holidays. The entrance fee is $1 per person. Seniors and children under age three are free.
Cabins and Camping
There are 50 campsites, 30 are improved and 20 are unimproved. There are also 14 cabins that can be reserved and rented. Improved campsites are $16 a night October through March and $20 a night April through September. The unimproved campsites are $12 a night, year round. There are toilet facilities for campers and day usage. There are showers available for campers. RVs are welcome on campsites.
The 14 cabins rent for $120 a night October through March. They rent for $150 a night April Through September. The cabins will accommodate up to 8 people, with 1 full bed, 1 sofa sleeper and 2 sets of bunk beds. There is an additional cabin available for larger groups at $250 a night. It will accommodate up to 52 people, with 2 dormitory wings, a dining hall and a kitchen. There are Televisions and cable, as well as wireless internet, in all cabins. There are picnic shelters available for the use of overnight campers or for day usage.
Nature Hiking
There are four main hiking trails throughout the 1200 acres of the Tickfaw State Park. Enjoy the sounds and sights of Tickfaw River, a cypress/tupelo swamp, a bottomland hardwood forest and a hardwood forest. The main hiking trails include the following:
* Gum Cypress Trail, which is ½ mile long and is ADA accessible
* Pine Hardwood Trail, which is ½ mile long
* River Overlook/Bottomland Hardwood Trail, with is ¾ mile long
* River Trail, which is 3 miles long
There are postings for scheduled hikes led by guides or you can hike on your own. There are three pavilions and an amphitheater, within the nature center, that offer educational programs. Enjoy a scheduled, guided night hike. Take home several keepsakes from the gift shop. Part of the Tickfaw State Park is in a flood zone of the Tickfaw River. The park is not necessarily closed during these times, but offers the chance to educate visitors regarding the importance of the cycle of flooding to wetland life.
Other Park Recreation
Spend an afternoon canoeing on the Tickfaw River. You can bring your own canoe or rent one for $20 a day. There are additional park roadways that interconnect. Enjoy biking, walking or skating through them. The fishing is great, but anyone over the age of 16 is required to have a Louisiana fishing license to fish in the fishing pond or river.. Leashed or crated pets are allowed on the park grounds, but not in any of the buildings. Service dogs, however, are allowed in all areas. Check out other near by attractions on the Tickfaw State Park website, http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/itickfaw.aspx.