Hickory Ridge Recreational Park

🎣 **Introduction / Overview: Your Lakeside Retreat in Vernon Parish**

Nestled beautifully on the shores of Vernon Lake, **Hickory Ridge Recreational Park** is a cherished local gem managed and operated by the Vernon Parish Police Jury. For residents across Louisiana, especially those in and around Leesville, this park represents the ideal blend of rustic outdoor recreation and essential modern convenience. Designed with a distinct focus on providing quality outdoor opportunities for local families, the park offers a highly desirable and secure setting for both tent and RV camping.

Unlike some sprawling, primitive campgrounds, Hickory Ridge is a more contained and **gated facility**, providing a sense of community and security that many campers appreciate. It specializes in offering a handful of well-appointed campsites, making it perfect for those who want a reliable, family-friendly atmosphere right on the water. Whether your passion is dropping a line in Vernon Lake, taking the boat out for a spin, or simply enjoying a quiet night under the stars, Hickory Ridge Recreational Park serves as a practical and picturesque base camp for all your waterside activities in the heart of Louisiana’s Legend Country.

🗺️ **Location and Accessibility: Easy Access to Vernon Lake**

Hickory Ridge Recreational Park boasts an excellent location on Vernon Lake, making it an accessible and popular destination for water sports and camping near Leesville, LA.

• **Official Address:** 175 Jaycees Park Rd, Leesville, LA 71446, USA (The park is also often referenced by its location on Hickory Ridge Road).
• **Geographic Setting:** The park sits directly on the banks of **Vernon Lake**, a major recreational reservoir in Vernon Parish. The site is maintained to maximize access to the water for fishing and swimming.
• **Access and Gating:** It is a **gated campground**, which enhances security for overnight guests. While the campground is gated, there is a **public boat ramp** located just outside the gate area, ensuring that general access to Vernon Lake for boating remains readily available to all local users, though parking at the ramp can be limited during peak times, as noted by local reviews.
• **Local Administration:** Being managed by the Vernon Parish Police Jury, the park maintains a strong local focus, ensuring its services and fees are geared toward providing residents of Vernon Parish with affordable, high-quality outdoor fun.

⛺ **Services Offered: Comforts for RVs and Tents**

Hickory Ridge Recreational Park is equipped to provide a comfortable and convenient stay, particularly for small RVs and tent campers, offering essential hookups and recreational facilities.

• **Campsite Capacity & Types:**
  • Total of **8 campsites** available.
  • Sites accommodate both tents and RVs/campers.
  • Tent camping is available at a low daily fee.
• **RV Hookups & Utilities:**
  • All 8 campsites include **electricity** (featuring a mix of 20-amp and 30-amp receptacles across different sites).
  • **Water hookups** are available on select campsites (specifically sites 7 and 8).
  • Running water is available throughout the park grounds, supplied by West Vernon Waterworks.
  • **Sewer hookups** are not widely available, but the park offers self-contained RV hook-ups with 30-amp receptacles at 3 sites.
• **General Facilities:**
  • Modern **Shower House and Restrooms** for convenient use by all campers.
  • Enclosed Pavilion (available for rental for family gatherings or events).
  • **Fish-Cleaning Station**—a crucial amenity for serious anglers.
  • Public Boat Ramp (located outside the main gate).
  • Picnic Tables and Charcoal Grills at each site.

☀️ **Features and Highlights: The Best of Vernon Lake Life**

The park is a destination in itself, prioritizing waterside activities and comfortable family gatherings. The following highlights make Hickory Ridge a top choice for Louisiana campers:

• **Direct Lakefront Access:** The primary feature is the park's location directly on Vernon Lake, providing easy access to great **fishing and swimming areas** right from the campground. The lake is known for its recreational opportunities and makes for a tranquil backdrop for any trip.
• **Angler-Friendly Setup:** For the fishing community, the combination of a convenient **dock area**, an on-site **public boat ramp**, and a dedicated **fish-cleaning station** makes it one of the most practical and well-equipped spots in the area for a fishing weekend.
• **Security and Privacy:** The designation as a **gated campground** enhances the feeling of safety and privacy, making it a particularly attractive choice for families and those with expensive RV equipment, ensuring a quieter and more secure overnight experience compared to open public lands.
• **Affordable Group Rental:** The availability of an **Enclosed Pavilion** and the option to rent the **whole park** for a reasonable daily fee make Hickory Ridge an excellent, highly customizable venue for large family reunions, community events, and scout outings.
• **Senior and Disabled Discounts:** The commitment to the local community is evident in the reduced, **half-price fees** offered to seniors (62+) and disabled/handicap individuals with valid identification, making outdoor recreation more accessible to all Vernon Parish residents.

☎️ **Contact Information**

For current rates, reservations for the pavilion, or any questions regarding the limited RV hookups and park rules, the best point of contact is the Vernon Parish Police Jury’s Buildings & Grounds Department, which oversees the park’s maintenance and operation.

• **Address:** 175 Jaycees Park Rd, Leesville, LA 71446, USA
• **Primary Phone:** (337) 238-0324
• **Alternative/Work Order Phone:** (337) 238-5680 (Vernon Parish Buildings & Grounds)

⭐ **What is Worth Choosing: A Secure, Family-Oriented Waterside Base**

Hickory Ridge Recreational Park stands out as a prime choice for Louisiana campers due to its exceptional **balance of security, affordability, and vital lakeside amenities**. This is not a rough, primitive campground; it's a small, controlled, and well-maintained facility where you can feel secure setting up camp, knowing that the Vernon Parish Police Jury is actively invested in its upkeep. For the fishing enthusiast, the convenience of the public boat ramp, the dock, and the dedicated **fish-cleaning station** makes the entire process of getting on the water and processing your catch seamless and enjoyable. Furthermore, the commitment to providing discounted rates for seniors and disabled residents solidifies its role as a true community resource.

If your goal is a weekend of easy, family-focused fun on Vernon Lake, with access to electricity, clean restrooms and showers, and an affordable rental pavilion for a larger group, **Hickory Ridge Recreational Park is the most reliable, amenity-rich, and locally focused choice near Leesville, LA.**