Things to Do in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

Beauregard Parish is often called the Southern Gateway to the Western Corridor. This parish is made up of seven cities and towns. These are DeRidder, Dry Creek, Longville, Merryville, Ragley, Singer and Sugartown. The heritage of this area is rich with cultures from Texas as well as Louisiana. Visitors who are outdoor lovers will find this area exciting, with its opportunities for bird watching, hunting for game or fishing on area rivers and lakes, such as Bundick Lake.

With all the cities and towns in this Parish, DeRidder is the largest and has the most to offer a visitor to the area. This city is rich with history and recreational opportunities year round. Relay for Life, Four Wind Pow-Pow, Gem and Mineral Show, Louisiana Doll Festival, Rodeos, Pine Hill Trade Days, Beauregard Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, Beauregard Chamber of Commerce Auction, Battle of Bearhead Creek Civil War Re-Enactment, Mud Bug Rally and Camp-N-Jam Sessions are scheduled throughout the year, with several of these activities happening more than once per year. DeRidder also has its own museum that has exhibits relating to the history of the area.

Dry Creek, also located in Beauregard Parish, can offer visitors a trip to a Christmas Tree Farm where, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, visitors have the opportunity to go out in the field to pick their own Christmas tree. This tree farm is located on Highway 394 just 1 mile West of Dry Creek. For more information, call 337-328-7362. Another establishment located in Dry Creek is the Dry Creek Baptist Camp and Conference Center. This is a year round retreat center, which is available for church groups with facilities that range from dormitory to hotel-type housing. This facility is also available for family reunions, company conferences and more. Dry Creek Baptist Camp and Conference Center is located at 8237 Highway 113 in Dry Creek. For more information, call 337-328-7531.

Longville, one more of the towns in Beauregard Parish is home to Longville Lake. Longville Lake offers camping, fishing, swimming, walking and picnicking as well as Camp-N-Jam Blue Grass Festivals in June and October, Christmas Caroling in December and a Tractor Pull competition in April. Longville Lake is located on Highway 110 East, Longville. For more information, call 337-725-3395.

Merryville, another town in Beauregard Parish, is home to Merryville Living History Heritage Festival, which takes place in April at the Merryville Museum. This festival celebrates the history of the Merryville area with skits, demonstrations and other attractions from the 1800’s and early 1900’s. This Festival takes place over the weekend and includes a parade, re-enactments, live music, Sunday worship services, gospel music and other activities. Merryville Museum offers its patrons events such as schoolchildren tours, the Heritage Festival, High School Open House, Veterans Day Open House and Christmas Displays. This museum is located at 628 North Railroad Ave., Merryville, LA. For more information, call 37-825-6312.

Beauregard Parish offers a look at a laid-back lifestyle, good southern cooking and fresh air with plenty of outdoor activities to keep a visitor busy for a while, all within a few hours drive from larger cities, such as Lake Charles, Alexandria and others. For more information on this Parish, contact the Beauregard Parish Tourist Commission, Box 1174, DeRidder, LA or call 337-463-5534.