Visiting Louisiana State Parks: Tickfaw State Park

Tickfaw State Park is located near Springfield, Louisiana in the southern part of the State. It is a beautiful State Park known for it’s numerous boardwalks throught out the wooded park and the wildlife present. Springfield is only a few miles (appx. 20 minute drive) from Interstate I-55 and Hammond, Louisiana. It would also be a worthwhile drive if you are visiting New Orleans or Baton Rouge with about an hour drive from either location.

You will be quickly impressed with the very well-made boardwalks that form the nature trails throughout the park. The trails lead you through unique ecosystems such as a bottomland hardwood forest, down to the river and just into the center of the woods where observation decks are available for observing native wildlife and birds. There are three major trails or boardwalks that range from 1/2 mile to 2 miles long. There are also other nature trails that take you along a path through the woods (no boardwalk and not handicapped accessible). This park is a nature lover’s dream. You will see all kinds of native wildlife on these trails such as raccoons, armadillo, barred owls, rabbits, woodpeckers, numerous birds, snakes, squirrels, deer, turkeys, etc.

The Nature Center

Tickfaw State Park also has a Nature Center where there are many displays of native Louisiana’s wildlife preserved and on display. You will see turtle shells, stuffed foxes, bobcats, owl, a huge aquarium of freshwater fish and many more things! There is also a classroom where a wildlife film continuously runs and a small gift shop. The gift shop was closed on our visit but peeping through the window it seemed to have many interesting things with a “Louisiana flavor” inside!

Day Visitors

In addition to visiting the Nature Center and hiking on the nature trails, daytime visitors can have a picnic or BQ. There are plenty of picnic tables with covered shelters for day time visitors and on-the-site BQ pits. The park was very clean when we visited as were the restrooms which were located outside each nature trail for convenience.

The Campground

The campsites were spacious and each contain a fire-ring/BQ combo. A comfort station is located close to both camping sections.

This campground had two camping sections, one for RV’s and travel trailers and another for tents only. The RV sites are very roomy with cement pads and most have sufficient shading (although we didn’t really need shade in November–but a must have in summertime here). We have a travel trailer and stayed in this loop. The neighbors were very nice and friendly and I must say were very quiet during the “quiet hours” early in the morning and late at night. Sites contain both electrical and water hookups.

The tent loop is located in a wooded area and the ground is pretty low. In the high rainfall months, you may find this area closed due to flooding. These sites were not as large as the RV/travel trailer sites but accommodating. They also contain fire rings for the rustic campers.

Camping Rates & Park Rates

Rates for overnight camping are $16.00 a night for electrical and water and $8.00 per night for tent camping. Daytime visitors pay $2.00 per car for up to 4 people and $.50 for each person over 4 in a vehicle. The park is open to daytime visitors during daylight hours only. For reservations call LA State Parks at 1-888-677-2442.