Lake Bistineau State Park — Attraction in Louisiana

Beautiful park that is quintessential north Louisiana. Spanish moss hangs from the numerous trees. Campsites are well equipped and spacious. Trails are fun. We camped during drawdown, so no water view, but the dock at our site (CI0046) was still nice to sit at. The park is on the smaller side, which can be a good thing. We live fairly close to the area, so there wasn't much for us to explore, but visitors can enjoy the Shreveport/Bossier area which is only about a 35-40 minute drive away.

Couple of cons. Roads are very rough in some spots. Not enough trash dumpsters/cans. Only one set of dumpsters way at the beginning of the loop. No ice on site. Had one very old soda machine. Overall, Louisiana needs to do better with having gift shops, ice machines at their parks. They're missing out on a great opportunity. We always love to get t-shirts and stickers, etc.

And.. this is an important one for tent campers. Despite the fact that sites are labeled as having tent pads, none of them do (this incorrect info is the main reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5). Not even the tent only sites. We were able to find a spot to put the tent, but there was a bit of an incline, which made for some comedic events. Especially when trying to get up and forgetting, while half asleep, that you're not quite on level ground. We would have put the tent on the lovely deck at our site, but I could not find a way to properly stake the tent.

Overall, it was an absolutely lovely stay. Thanks for...

This specifically a review of the Whoa Mule Equestrian Trail at Lake Bistineau. This is a beautiful park, although the water is extremely low right now, more of a canal than a lake (at least in the park). We visited on a Tuesday, and other than a few campers were basically the only ones at the park. Be aware that the road to parking for the equestrian Trail is not clearly marked.... Follow signs for the campground, then you will see a small sign that says equine parking on the right, but the actual parking area is just slightly past that to the left. There is an asphalt pad with a large field behind it. There is a water trough, and plenty of room to turn around. We talked with the Ranger on duty, Paul, and he was very friendly and helpful. The trail entrance itself is past the parking area and the campground and is clearly marked. This is really a lovely trail. It was very well kept, wide, and rideable. It is approximately 5 miles long and winds through the woods and along the lake bed. It is beginner friendly (horses and riders) with no particularly difficult water crossings or terrain. Several spots where you could trot/canter. Might be boggy in a few spots if there'd been much rain. There is one spot where you can either veer to the right and make a big loop around, or continue straight to finish the trail, and the turn off for this was not clearly marked, although it was clearly marked once you got on the loop itself. Overall a really lovely...

Just 18 months ago I would have given the park 5+ stars - now the park is severely damaged.

Then along came some forestry management person - not doubt connected to a pulp wood hauler - who convinced the park board and management that the "pine beetle infected" massive pine trees must be removed to save the rest of the forest.

What resulted was a heyday for the pulp wood guy in a forest that was untouched and had never been harvested. Not a clear cut, nope, worse - they harvested what they wanted cutting down what was in teh way and left massive piles of debris though out what was once a beautiful forest crisscrossed with hiking, biking, and horse trails.

No longer suitable for hiking, biking, or horseback riding the trails - and the forest - remain overgrown and unkempt. The park staff apparently oblivious to what they could and should be doing to help recover the park. They could do almost anything but the "nothing" they are doing and it would help.

Friends and family have gone several times to the park and removed as much dead wood as is possible without heavy machinery. If you want to hike or bike take the pipelines and fence lines.

The campground is ok, but they cleaned most of the shade trees out during the harvesting so don't expect too much shade or privacy at...