Rutherford Beach — Hotel in Lake Charles

Beach gets crowded on weekends & lots of trash & litter left. Unsettling seeing sooooo many homeless that have claimed this beach as their new home, since there’s no legal deadline (TX has max 14 day stay limit on most public beaches, etc.) **We were shocked to have gotten a visit from the county coroner, (strange a coroner came out to do this…) who came by TWICE to tell us we probably need to move, as they’re evicting a lady & she “only likes putting her camper in our exact spot”!!! He came by Fri & Sat, the lady would be there Mon. Thankfully we had already planned on leaving Mon anyway, so whatever. TAKE IT! Unreal. Never seen or heard of anything like this before- ANYWHERE!!! Crazy this county would rather “evict” out of state tourists, who spend A LOT of $ in their community, to “re-home” a nonpaying tenant who they have to routinely evict from other homes.

Also… Inconsiderate ATV drivers loved doing donuts in front & circling our RV, kicking up sand that winds up on our stuff outside, going thru our screens into camper, even in our dogs eyes! The worst part of this mayhem is what it does to the paths we all have to use to get our rigs OUT of there! The sand winds up being too soft, leaving us having to deal with getting stuck. Ridiculous. Lastly- Nothing anywhere nearby- closest convenience store for supplies is 20 mins away.

I’m not wanting to be a negative griping lady here, as the beach itself is nice to find some shells & hubs had great fishing- caught several sharks, reds, & catfish. As for crabbing in the nearby bayous… this is our 2nd visit here in 6 months & haven’t caught a single crab! DO NOT leave your crab nets or string/bait unattended, as we’ve had ours stolen every time we’ve been. Lots of thieves...

Rutherford Beach is a hidden gem that deserves a spotlight for its unspoiled beauty and serene charm. Tucked away from the crowds, this coastal treasure feels like a secret whispered only to those lucky enough to stumble upon it. For shell collectors, it’s a paradise—waves deposit an astonishing abundance of shells along the shore, each step revealing treasures like a natural scavenger hunt. The variety and sheer volume make it a dream destination for anyone with a bucket and a keen eye.

Beyond the shells, Rutherford Beach offers peace and tranquility that’s hard to find elsewhere. The gentle lapping of waves and the absence of bustling tourists create a soothing escape from the chaos of daily life. It’s also a fantastic spot for motorcycle adventures—the open, rugged terrain begs for a ride along the coast, wind in your hair, and the salty air invigorating your senses. Camping here is a must; pitch a tent, and you’re treated to a front-row seat for stargazing. With minimal light pollution, the night sky explodes with constellations, turning a simple evening into a celestial spectacle. Rutherford Beach is an underrated wonder, perfect for those seeking nature, adventure, and quiet bliss. I highly recommend going if you...

What a gem! We are vanlifers and found this place through a friend! It was awesome! We could drive right on the beach and camp for a few days! We found so many huge and tiny conch shells on the beach! We found a hurt duck and tried to save it but no rescues in area would take him and they told us to just let it go. Sad but I guess it’s normal there. They also burn the marsh so we woke up to blazing fire lit sky’s the one night and were worried but when we called the fire house was aware because it’s all surrounded by water… unique. Either way I’d deff go for the day or even bring a tent and stay a few nights on the beach! So worth it and not many free places like this anymore! Please take your trash with you and don’t ruin places like this! There are dumpsters and...