Palmetto Island State Park, Louisiana

For an authentic Louisiana outdoors experience, check out Palmetto Island State Park. Named for the ubiquitous presence of palmetto plants which carry over into its architectural elements, the park’s location on the Vermilion River makes it a prime spot for fishing and boating. Several interior lagoons give canoers and kayakers a chance to see native plants and animals up close.

Day-use visitors will want to spend some time at the visitor center complex, which features a water playground and bathhouse. There is also a multi-purpose room that can be rented out for meetings, family reunions, weddings or even your next crawfish boil. Nearby attractions include the Acadian Museum of Erath (honoring the Cajun people of Louisiana) and Jungle Gardens (botanical gardens amongst a 900 year-old statue of Buddha).