Lake Bruin is a favorite little state park of ours. We’ve been there a number of times and will definitely be returning.

You’ll find Lake Bruin State Park at the easternmost edge of central Louisiana, within a stone’s throw of the Mississippi River. The park’s namesake lake itself was once part of the nation’s longest waterway until the Mississippi changed course around 500 years ago and left what’s called an “oxbow” lake behind. The remaining horseshoe-shaped lake, measuring 3,000 acres in surface area, is the centerpiece of one of Louisiana’s remotest state parks.

The campground is small and compact, lol but it offers a splash pad and beach for the kids. It’s a quiet place and the ladies enjoy walking. The roads are great for the kids who love biking up and down the hills. It’s a destination sort of place, quiet. The price is right too, with half price for senior citizens!

The park offers full and partial hookups. We love camping along the lake’s edge and are willing to forego the amenities and make do with water and electricity. The full hook-up sites are located slightly farther away from the water. There’s a dump station, bath houses, and a laundry available on site. Cabins are also available.

Lake Bruin is a deep lake with a sandy bottom and is stocked for a fisherman’s delight! The guys love the fishing – hence so many return trips! Lake Bruin was once a state-run fish hatchery and is stocked with bass, bream, white perch and sac-à-lait, the local term for crappie.

There are three large fishing piers, a boat launch and a boat shed for docking. The guys always rent flat bottom boats which are available for $15 a day. We always bring our own life jackets, but life jackets and paddles are included.

We definitely recommend either bringing a boat or canoe or renting one. If you’ve never had the opportunity to view cypress trees up close, this is your chance. You can paddle among the massive trees, some of which date back to when Lake Bruin was still part of the Mississippi River! We have been to the lake in the fall and spring months and I’ve been able to take some beautiful photos of fall foliage and of the dreary cold spring. The colors are amazing.

On any given day, you can find the guys entertaining the campground with music. There’s something about a campfire and music that draws the neighbors in. We have met locals and we have met people from far off. It seems everyone loves to find those little out of the way state parks for rest and relaxation. I know we do.

The little town of St. Joseph is about three miles away and you can find a grocery store, various churches and a few small stores.

A few pictures from our fall trip. The colors were beautiful.