Bogue Chitto State Park

In the rolling piney woods of Washington Parish, where the Bogue Chitto winds past white sandbars and quiet forests, Louisiana is making a bold investment in its outdoor future. In 2025, with the  conservation of more than 800 acres of land, Bogue Chitto State Park is expanding—marking one of the largest additions to the state park system in recent years.

Thanks to a partnership between Louisiana State Parks and Trust for Public Land, and with critical support from the Louisiana Outdoors Forever Fund, this beloved park near Franklinton will grow by 45 percent to more than 2,593 acres.

With this expansion, Louisiana is not just protecting open space—it’s unlocking new opportunities for the public to experience nature in all its forms. Already known as a destination for mountain biking, preliminary plans for the new land include the creation of up to 35 miles of additional equestrian, mountain biking, and hiking trails that offer more ways to explore the beauty and biodiversity of the region.   Once open, this expanded adventure hub will help more people enjoy Louisiana’s wild spaces, while making the outdoors more accessible and available for generations to come.