Intracoastal parish park

For Southwest Louisiana locals seeking an accessible, affordable, and authentically Louisiana outdoor experience, Intracoastal Park in Sulphur stands out as a true parish treasure. Maintained by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, this park is more than just a typical campground; it’s a dedicated recreational hub located directly on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW).

Known by residents as one of the best spots in Calcasieu Parish for crabbing and fishing, Intracoastal Park capitalizes on its unique waterfront position. It provides sportsmen and families alike with a fantastic destination that blends the practical amenities of a modern park with the raw, active environment of a working waterway.

The park offers a mix of camping options, from RV sites with electricity to designated tent camp sites, catering to a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts. Its setting right under the Intracoastal drawbridge provides visitors with the unique Louisiana spectacle of barges and ships gliding through the canal, offering entertainment that is truly unique to our region. This balance of function, accessibility, and unique local character is what makes Intracoastal Park a highly valued asset for the communities in and around Sulphur and Lake Charles.

Intracoastal Park is strategically located south of Sulphur, Louisiana, within the bounds of Calcasieu Parish. Its official address is 7955 Intracoastal Park Road, Sulphur, LA 70665.

Key Accessibility Details:

• The park is positioned right on the banks of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, providing immediate water access for boating and fishing.
• A notable landmark is the Intracoastal draw bridge (Ellender Bridge), under which the park is situated, making it easy to spot and navigate to.
• The location offers convenient access to the entire Sulphur and Lake Charles area, making it ideal for weekend getaways without the need for extensive travel. It serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the wider region, including the famous Creole Nature Trail All-American Road.
• The park is open daily from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, though camping reservations permit overnight stays in designated areas.

This location ensures that local users, whether they are dropping a boat in the water for a day of fishing or setting up an RV for a few nights, can reach the park easily and spend less time driving and more time enjoying the outdoors.

Intracoastal Park is managed by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and offers a comprehensive list of services designed to support both day-use and extended-stay visitors, particularly those focused on waterfront activities.

• RV Camping Sites: The park features 28 dedicated RV camper sites with electricity available. These sites offer convenience for modern recreational vehicles.
• Electrical Hookups: RV sites are equipped with both 50 amp and 30 amp electrical connections, ensuring compatibility for most RV models.
• Dump Station: A centrally located dump station is available for RV campers, providing the necessary sanitation service for extended stays.
• Tent Camping Sites: In addition to RV spots, the park also provides dedicated tent camp sites for a more traditional camping experience.
• Public Restrooms with Showers: The park maintains public restrooms that are equipped with showers, a significant convenience for campers, fishermen, and boaters.
• Air-Conditioned Pavilion Rental: A renovated, air-conditioned pavilion with electricity, inside/outside sinks, and a covered patio is available to rent for events, meetings, or family gatherings.
• Open-Air Pavilion: A second, open-air pavilion without electricity is available for free, public use on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Fish Cleaning Station: The park features a luxury fish cleaning station, a major benefit for anglers and crabbers to process their catches efficiently right by the water.

What truly sets Intracoastal Park apart from other local campgrounds are the unique features tied to its waterfront location and its commitment to community recreation.

• Exceptional Crabbing and Fishing: The location right off the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway is locally famous for some of Calcasieu Parish's best crabbing. Bank fishing is also excellent, with the shoreline cleared and contoured for accessibility, including wheelchair accessibility.
• Active Waterway Views: Campers get a front-row seat to the Intracoastal Canal’s barge traffic. Watching the large commercial ships and tugs move through the waterway is a unique and captivating sight that distinguishes this park.
• Two Public Boat Launches: The park provides two dedicated boat launches, both of which include attached wharves, offering easy freshwater access to the Intracoastal Waterway for serious boaters and casual users alike.
• Renovated Facilities: Recent improvement projects have focused on modernizing the park. This includes the expansion and renovation of the main pavilion, replacement of the fishing wharf, and a new, wheelchair-accessible fish cleaning station.
• Family-Friendly Recreation: Scattered throughout the park are picnic areas with barbecue pits and playground equipment, ensuring that there are ample activities for children and families not actively fishing or crabbing.
• Affordable Rates: Compared to many private RV parks, the rates for the electric RV sites are highly competitive, offering a great value proposition for the level of amenities provided. The length of stay is limited to 14 continuous days within a 30-day period, ensuring fair access for the public.

Intracoastal Park is a Calcasieu Parish Police Jury facility. All reservations and most detailed inquiries are managed through the central Facility Management Office.

Park Address (Physical Location):
7955 Intracoastal Park Road
Sulphur, LA 70665, USA

Primary Contact Phone (Facility Management Office):
(337) 721-3540
(337) 762-3182

Note on Reservations:
RV campsite reservations can be made online through the Parish’s system. However, the air-conditioned pavilion must typically be reserved in person at the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Facility Management Office in Lake Charles (901 Lakeshore Drive). Interested parties should always call ahead to confirm the current reservation process for all amenities.

For Louisiana residents, particularly those in Southwest Louisiana, Intracoastal Park is a compelling choice for several key reasons, setting it apart from other nearby options.

Intracoastal Park is worth choosing because:

• It is a Waterfront Activity Hub: If your primary goal is fishing, crabbing, or launching a boat, this park provides unparalleled, direct access and purpose-built facilities like the wharf and luxury fish cleaning station right on the GIWW. You don't have to drive anywhere else to launch your day's adventure.
• It Offers Unique Scenery: The view of the enormous barges moving slowly through the Intracoastal Waterway is a mesmerizing and unique spectacle you won't find at a lakeside or forest-only campground. It connects you to the economic heart of the region's shipping industry.
• Unbeatable Value: The competitive daily rates for RV camping, coupled with high-value amenities like 50/30 amp electric, water hookups, public showers, and the dump station, make it an incredibly cost-effective choice for a short-term stay.
• Parish-Maintained Quality: Being a parish park, the facility benefits from public funding and oversight, which has recently led to significant improvements in infrastructure, ensuring a clean, modern, and well-maintained environment for all visitors. The park is a reliable public resource that is highly valued by the local community.