The Cajun Riviera and Southwest Louisiana Beaches
Calcasieu parish also has its share of beaches although they are not located along the Cajun Riviera. These are LaFleur Beach and North Beach. LaFleur Beach is located off I210 on Kiwanis Drive. Visitors here will find a resident park keeper, public restrooms, a public boat launch, swimming, picnic tables, parking, and a covered pavilion with four picnic tables on a concrete slab. There is a $1 per car fee charged during the summer months. This beach cannot be used for any commercial ventures or fund raising and pets are not allowed on it. North Beach is the other beach in the Lake Charles area. This beach is located on Lake Charles and is the only white sand beach from Texas to Florida. There is a $1 charge per car during the summer months. North beach is located directly off I-10 on North Lakeshore Drive. For more information on either of these beaches, call 1-800-456-7952.
The Cajun Riviera begins in Cameron Parish. Cameron Parish has 36 miles of beaches, including Holly Beach and Rutherford Beach. On Holly Beach, visitors will find rustic beach-front cabins for lease, but no Condos. They will also find a few restaurants and one store, but no steak houses and no chain of beach stores, such as Alvin’s in Panama City Beach. Visitors will also find miles of beach waiting for people interested in fishing, shelling, bird watching or just playing on the beach, but no jet skis or aqua bikes for rent. Rutherford Beach, also located in Cameron Parish offers an even quieter, relaxed atmosphere on the beach than Holly Beach. Visitors here will find a remote location perfect for kicking back and enjoying nature, where they can fish, watch the birds, search for shells or just enjoy the beach. Dry camping is permitted on both these beaches. For more information, call 1-800-456-7952.
The Cajun Riviera ends at Cypremort Point, on the Vermilion Bay. Cypremort is the only access to the Gulf of Mexico after leaving the beaches of Cameron Parish heading to Grand Isle. This 1087 acre island is protected by barrier islands on three sides and offer visitors many enjoyable opportunities. Visitors here can enjoy boating, including pleasure boating, fishing and sail boating. Boat launches are available for use, including a sand launch for sailboats. Fishing is another favorite sport here, fishing from the pier or from a boat. Other water sports often seen here are water skiing and wind surfing as well as swimming. Picnic tables, grills, pavilions and restrooms are also available for use when visiting this beach area. There are also a few commercial business located here, such as a marina, a restaurant, boat rental, a general store, a gas facility and 2 vacation home developments. For more information, call 337-772-4238.
