You know that feeling when you’ve exhausted all Google search options, Yelp recommendations, and local blog roundups, and there is still not one single place that seems like the perfect answer to your quest for the best beach in Louisiana? Well, well there are a few reasons why that might be so. It could be because most of the beaches in this state are private or privately owned. It could also be because most of its sandy shorelines are located in resort towns or small communities with limited access. In fact, there aren’t many public beaches in this state as most of them require permits to enter. But don’t fret! We have found some amazing spots where you can still enjoy the water, sand, and sun without breaking the bank or getting on anyone’s VIP list first.
The 11 Best Beaches In Louisiana
Lake Broussard
If you love fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking, or even just lounging around on the shoreline with a book, then Lake Broussard is a great spot for you. This is the only public lake in Louisiana where you can enjoy a day on the water without any boating permit! The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish. There is also an 18-hole disc golf course, which is free and open to the public between March 1 and September 30. Lake Broussard has a few sandy beaches with ample parking, picnic tables, and even a playground for the kids. What’s more, it is just a short drive from Lake Charles and is located in the town of Eunice, which is also home to some of the best Cajun restaurants in the state.
Baton Rouge Beach
For a taste of the tropics in Louisiana, head to this popular beach in the city of Baton Rouge. This beautiful stretch of sand is flanked by an impressive boardwalk, lush vegetation, and a picturesque pier jutting out into the water. The beach is open to the public and is a great place to take a stroll, go for a run, or even take your furry friend for a walk. You can also catch a glimpse of the city skyline while fishing or taking a kayak ride, or just enjoy watching the kids play in the sand. What’s more, this beach is just a short drive from the Old Spanish Fort, which houses the oldest Catholic church in Louisiana, the Baton Rouge Zoo, the USS Louisiana, and the fascinating Bayou Desiard.
CYAN Aquatic Center
This is one of the best places in Louisiana to go swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding, especially for adventure seekers. As soon as you enter the premises, you’ll realize that this aquatic park is all about fun and fitness. There are plenty of activities at this park to keep you busy, from open-water swimming to stand-up paddleboarding. If you’re visiting with kids, they’ll love the water slides and the lazy river, or they can just splash around in the kiddie pool. The aquatic center also hosts a number of swim meets, aquatic competitions, and special events like the International Triathlon. This place is open all year round, and you can just park your car and walk right in.
Fisherman’s Village
If you are looking for a quiet stretch of beach that is away from the bustling crowds and is perfect for reading, fishing or just chilling out, then this is the place for you. Fisherman’s Village is a beautiful spot just north of the bustling city of Southern Louisiana. There is an abundance of fish in the waters surrounding this small fishing village and some great places to eat them once they are caught. There are a few public access points to the beach, but you’ll find that it is much quieter and more tranquil nearer to the village. This is a great beach for families and couples alike, as it is not as busy as other nearby beaches.
Gulf of Mexico Beaches in Louisiana
If you are looking for the best sun-soaked beach trips, then Louisiana’s Gulf Coast is a great place to start. This stretch of coastal land is home to some of the most pristine beaches in the country and is an ideal place to spend some quality time with your loved ones. Head to the fishing village of Grand Isle, which is just a short drive from New Orleans, and explore the lush, winding trails that lead to one of the most beautiful beaches in Louisiana. You can also visit the beautiful Isle de Jean Charles, which is believed to be the last remaining inhabited tribal land in the lower 48 states. Don’t forget to check out the fascinating Bayou Desiard while you are there.
Jesuit Bend/Frog Island
If you are looking for a quiet, secluded beach that is perfect for kayaking, fishing, swimming or just chilling out, then this is the place for you. This beautiful stretch of sand along the southern Louisiana coast is flanked by lush vegetation and the warm Gulf of Mexico waters. Just a short drive from New Orleans, Jesuit Bend is a great spot for a weekend getaway. You can even rent a house in the area if you want to stay longer. This is a great beach for families, as it is not as busy as other nearby beaches. There are a few public access points where you can park your car and walk right down to the sand.
Gramercy Beach / Heritage Park
For a seaside experience that is more rustic than tropical, head to this quaint, yet charming stretch of sand in the city of Gramercy. This is one of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches in Louisiana, and it is open to the public. There are a few public access points to this beach, including Heritage Park, where you can park your car and walk right down to the shoreline. This is a great place for families, as it is not very busy and has plenty of outdoor activities for kids to do. Gramercy is also home to Heritage Park, which is an excellent cultural site to visit while you are in the area.
Lafitte Greenway Trail and Beach
For a truly unique beach experience, head to this nature trail and public beach in the Bayou Area of New Orleans. This popular stretch of sand is flanked by a picturesque boardwalk and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There are plenty of outdoor activities at this beach, including fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, or just exploring the nature trail. You can also check out the nearby Barataria Preserve while you are there. This is a great place for families and also has very reasonable parking rates. This beach is open all year round and is a great place to visit for Mardi Gras, as it is just a short drive away from New Orleans.
Mandeville Trailhead Park
For a quiet, quaint beach experience, head to the peaceful shores of Mandeville Trailhead Park. This is one of the best beaches in Louisiana for families, as it is not very busy and has plenty of outdoor activities for kids to do. You can also visit the nearby Fort Palin Palin, which is an excellent cultural site to visit while you are in the area. This is a great place to visit during Mardi Gras, as it is just a short drive away from New Orleans. This is also a great place to visit year-round, as there are ample parking spaces and the weather is always warm and sunny.
Assimilation Trailhead Park
If you are looking for a quiet, secluded beach, then head to Assimilation Trailhead Park in the Bayou Area of New Orleans. This beautiful stretch of sand is flanked by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There are ample outdoor activities at this beach, including fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, or just exploring the trails. You can also visit the nearby Barataria Preserve while you are there. This is a great place for families and also has very reasonable parking rates. This beach is open all year round and is a great place to visit for Mardi Gras, as it is just a short drive away from New Orleans.
St. Charles Trailhead Park
For an intimate beach experience on Lake Pontchartrain, head to St. Charles Trailhead Park in Bayou Black River State Park in New Orleans. This gorgeous stretch of sand is flanked by the warm waters of Lake Pontchartrain and offers plenty of outdoor activities for you and your family to do while you are there. There are lots of fun things to do here including fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming or just exploring the trails through this nature preserve area as well as many other natural areas that surround it such as Bayou Black River itself or Bayou Chico Nature Preserve State Natural Area (which has a boardwalk trail that goes around Lake Pontchartrain).
Final Word
Now that we’ve discussed each of these amazing beaches in Louisiana, the only thing left to do is to mark your calendar and plan a trip there as soon as possible. After all, this is the perfect time of the year to enjoy coastal beauty at its finest. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, don your shades, and hit the road!
