Lake Bistineau State Park

Lake Bistineau State Park
Cypress trees in Lake Bistineau State Park.
Map of Louisiana, United States of America Show map of Louisiana Lake Bistineau State Park (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	Webster Parish, Louisiana, USA
Coordinates	32°26′24″N93°23′40″W / 32.44000°N 93.39444°W / 32.44000; -93.39444 [1]
Area	750 acres (304 ha) [2] [3]
Established	1938 (1938) [1]
Visitors	47,034(in 2022) [4]
Governing body	Louisiana Office of State Parks
www.lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/lake-bistineau-state-park

Lake Bistineau State Park is one of twenty-two state parks in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in Doyline in Webster Parish, about a half hour east of Shreveport. ^[5]

History

Lake Bistineau was created by a flood after a log jam in 1800, but the lake gradually drained over time. In 1935, construction on a dam began, and the park was opened in 1938. ^[1] It was the first state park to accommodate African Americans, with two separate areas of the modern-day park reflecting the historical segregated nature of the park. ^[6]

Activities

Lake Bistineau State Park offers over 10 miles of hiking trails, as well and camping, boating, paddling, and various other outdoor activities. ^[1]

References

1. "Lake Bistineau State Park - Louisiana Office of State Parks" . Retrieved November 14, 2022.
2. Louisiana State Parks–A Guide to Louisiana's State Parks, State Historic Sites and Preservation Areas Brochure. Louisiana State Parks. 2007.
3. "Louisiana State Parks Brochure" (PDF). Louisiana State Parks. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
4. "Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget Review Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism" (PDF). Louisiana House of Representatives. March 29, 2023.
5. "Lake Bistineau State Park". Louisiana Official Travel and Tourism Information. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
6. Otto, David (August 17, 2007). Insiders' Guide to Shreveport. Insiders' Guide. p. 127. ISBN   978-0-7627-5702-2.