JIMMIE DAVIS STATE PARK
Located on a peninsula on Caney Lake, Jimmie Davis State Park offers two boat launches and a fishing pier that cater to the sportsmen looking for a prime freshwater fishing spot. Waterskiing is another way to enjoy the clear waters of the lake, which was created by damming Caney Creek in 1986. Don't forget to look back at the lakeshore to appreciate the beautiful mixed pine and hardwood forest surrounding the lake and the birds and animals that make the forest their home.
To ensure that there's never a dull moment, the park also has a playground for the kids after a day on the lake. Cyclists will enjoy the park as a starting point for biking treks through the hills of North Louisiana, and nature lovers are invited to discover the beauty of the wooded land and lakefront. Bring your binoculars to get a closer look at the wide variety of birds that live in or pass through the area.
Hours of Operation: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. All park sites close at 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.
Opened in the fall of 1996, Jimmie Davis State Park was originally named Caney Creek Lake State Park. The 2003 Louisiana State Legislature approved renaming the park in honor of two-term Governor Jimmie H. Davis, who served from 1944 to 1948 and again from 1960 to 1964.
Day-UseFishingyes
Swimming Beachyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Electric Sitesyes
Water/Electric Sitesyes
Deluxe Cabins 17 available, 1 is ADA compliant, sleeps up to 8 people with 1 queen bed, 2 bunk beds and 1 queen sofa sleeper
Group Camp Includes dining hall/kitchen and 4 dormitory, sleeping up to 120 people.
9 Premium Campsites (all prime, waterfront locations, with water and electrical hookup). 64 Improved Campsites (water and electrical hookup)
Deluxe Lodge 2 available, sleeps up to 14 people with 2 double beds, 4 bunk beds and 1 queen sofa sleeper
Jimmie Davis State Park is located near Ruston, West Monroe
Chatham FastTrax Speedway (9 miles east of the park, off Hwy. 4) - A 1/4 semi-banked dirt track, races are held on Saturday nights between March and October.
Poverty Point State Historic Site (East of Monroe and north of I-20 on LA 577 northeast of Epps) - The site is considered one of the most significant archaeological finds in the country. It has a complex of Native American ceremonial mounds built between 1700 and 700 B.C. A museum and guided tours interpret a culture that once flourished on the site.
Lake D'Arbonne State Park (5 miles west of Farmerville on LA 2) - A fisherman's paradise, this 655-acre state park on the shores of Lake D'Arbonne features 65 improved campsites, 16 cabins, 2 lodges, a group camp, visitors center, swimming pool, picnic tables and grills, 5 fishing piers, a boat ramp, and a fish cleaning station.
Lake Claiborne State Park (7 miles southeast of Homer on LA 146) - Located on the banks of a 6,400-acre lake. With steep ravines and rolling hills, the park features excellent picnicking, pavilions, 10 vacation cabins, 87 improved campsites, a swimming beach, boat launch, fishing pier, and nature trails.
Jackson Bienville Wildlife Management Area (12 miles southwest of Ruston on LA 147) - Visitors can enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, birding, and wildlife viewing on 33,460 acres of upland pine woods and stream bottoms.
North Louisiana Military Musuem (201 Memorial Drive, Ruston) - The musuem has artifacts and displays from the Spanish American War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the current war on terror.
Christmas Wonderland in the Pines (15 miles south of park, on LA 4, Jonesboro) - Jackson Parish's lighting display and celebration begins annually the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. Festivities include a parade on Saturday with the official lighting of millions of tiny lights on businesses and residences. Displays remain on through January 1.
Jimmie Davis Tabernacle (15 miles west of park, located on Hwy. 542, between Jonesboro and Quitman) - Built in 1964 by friends of Jimmie Davis, who served two terms as Governor of Louisiana. It is built on the old Davis home place and annually hosts the Jimmie Davis Homecoming the first Sunday in October.
Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days (Take exit 69 off I-20. Go south for 3.5 miles, Arcadia) - Louisiana's largest flea market. Open monthly on the weekend before the third Monday of the month.
Biedenharn Museum & Gardens (2006 Riverside Drive in Monroe) - Features the Biedenharn home, built by Joseph Biedenharn, first bottler of Coca-Cola, along with historic gardens and conservatory. Free admission Mon. - Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun. 2 to 5 p.m.
Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo (Sandifer Rd. off US 165, Monroe) - See magnificent animals, beautiful gardens. Enjoy seasonal tours by boat or stroll through the gardens.
Antique Alley (30 miles north of park, Trenton and Cotton Street, West Monroe) - A top attraction in North Louisiana for over 10 years. Visit and shop the many antique stores, a working pottery studio and gallery and check out the fly fishing gear.
Directions: From Jonesboro, take LA 4 east 12.8 miles to Lakeshore Drive, which leads to State Road 1209, approximately 20 minutes
Beach area is clean,tables are located in good spots,complete with little grills,bathrooms are cleaned with bleach,so they are very clean,ranger presence is great,therefore the area is safe,overall a killer place to bring the family and have a great time!
we recently took a small group of young people from our church and stayed in one of the lodges. Everything about the lodge was great for this kind of activity. There was plenty of rooms and beds and the great room area was perfect for large group activities.I would recommend the lodge or lodges for larger groups for any youth group .
Very sad to see the park in this state. The beaches are filthy. Despite the garbage barrels, people leave their trash on the beach - cola bottles, band aids, Styrofoam food containers and foil. The last time my husband and I took our kids, there was a dirty diaper floating in the water. I will pick up trash to get it out of my kids way, but I draw the line at a dirty diaper. Clean it up, people. Such a lovely area, why trash it out like that? 
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