St. Tammany area families have a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities to choose from- boating, skiing, hiking and biking. That list of choices expanded significantly recently with new and improved facilities at Bogue Chitto State Park just north of Folsom.
Bogue Chitto State Park
The newest state park in Louisiana, cradled along the banks of the Bogue Chitto River, has already reached number two status in state park attendance figures, and with the new facilities, it may be well on its way to being number one.
Three ribbon cuttings were held on Thursday morning, August 3, at the park, the first for improvements to the mountain bike area, the second for the launch of the Interpretive Ranger Jordan Brooks Smith Kids Trail, and the third for campground facilties for equestrians who bring their horses to the park's many riding trails. Even the park's disc golf area was updated.
The mountain bike area improvements ribbon cutting
Click on the images to make them larger
The horse owners campground ribbon cutting
The Jordan Brooks Smith Kids Nature Trail ribbon cutting
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was on hand for all three ribbon cuttings, along with an array of local officials (including the sheriff and parish president), state representatives and senators, and volunteer organizations that use and love the new park.
The park enhancements have been a while coming, as for years the park has been needing better facilities. State officials soon realized that Bogue Chitto was a real "jewel in the rough" for the state park system, and it was gaining a sizeable following across the region.
The park offers fishing, canoeing, hiking, nature trails, kayaking, a meeting room, and a number of other amenities. The new air conditioned bathrooms have been a big hit this summer.
Members of a number of local and regional outdoor enthusiast groups are excited about the improvements, since they hold special events frequently at the park, given its excellent location, terrain and natural features. There's tubing, horseback riding rentals, campsites, and now "glamping" tents.
According to the state parks website for Bogue Chitto, "park visitors can experience a diversity of natural habitats on one of the most dynamic and scenic river systems in Louisiana. The 1,786-acre site includes small streams, cypress-tupelo swamps, a hardwood forest, upland forests and a rolling landscape.
"Overnight visitors will find accommodations from tent camping (complete with glamping sites) to RV camping to cabins overlooking the bluffs. For larger groups and family reunions, the park offers a group camp and a conference room.
Visitors are encouraged to "bring your mountain bike and explore the newly opened 14-miles of single track trails for bikers of all skill levels.
Fricke's Cave
"Fricke's Cave, which resembles more of a gorge, possesses delicate sandstone spires created when water erodes the surface underneath pebbles. The pebbles remain perched atop the spires, while over time water splashes on the sandstone surface, forming the two-foot-tall fingers of sandstone that shoot up from the now-lowered surface. Boardwalks have been built so that visitors can admire the sandstone creations from afar, as the formations are too delicate to allow visitors to walk among them.
"Fourteen miles of equestrian trails wind through some of the most interesting topography of southern Louisiana, with the trailhead located near Fricke's Cave." For the fishermen, there are 11 lakes stocked with a variety of freshwater fish, for the kids a water playground and an outdoor classroom, as well as numerous picnic pavilions for family get-togethers.
In addition to the trails, there are practice areas for mountain bikers
The New Orleans Off Road Bicycling Association (NORBA) rides the trails regularly and also puts on mountain bike clinics and other events. Dirt Coaster Academy helps those new to the sport, teaching them how to ride the "roller coaster on dirt." The Academy is presented at locations around the state, but monthly at Bogue Chitto State Park. It's for ages 12 on up.
A NORBA spokesman said their members love this park and appreciate the park workers efforts to keep up the trails for great rides.
The Jordan Brooks Smith Interpretive Nature Trail
The Jordan Brooks Smith Kids Trail is an outdoor classroom
At right, Jeanne Brooks and Lt. Governor Nungesser
Horse Campground Pads and Rest Rooms
The seven new camping pads and hook-ups for horse riders and their trailers
The horse campground bathrooms are appreciated
The ribbon cutting ceremonies kicked off at the park meeting room with over 150 people in attendance. Officials gave welcoming remarks and Jeanne Brooks gave a talk about her son, the late Jordan Brooks Smith, who was an interpretive ranger at the park. He died in a tragic accident at the park a few years ago. The new kids nature trail was named in his honor.
The crowd at the opening ceremonies
Brandon Burris, director of La. State Parks, left; Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, center, and Jeanne Brooks, at right
To view meeting video, click one the "Play Triangle" above
The meeting room building
Playground equipment
Landscaped terrain
Visiting dignitaries
Volleyball court
An interesting array of antique farm equipment at the front gate
Robbie Thomas, president of Friends of Bogue Chitto State Park
Friends of Bogue Chitto was started nine years ago when the park was first opened. It has 40 members and puts on various events to help raise funds for things the park needs. Those events range from Halloween get-togethers and 4th of July watermelon parties to a trailride in November.
