D'arbonne Camping

[Squiggyfreud]

Wife and I are supposed to spend next week at D'arbonne state park, tent camping. Forecast is not looking good as of now...low 30's and upper 20's and rainy. Hoping it will improve but just in case may spend a day or 2 in a cabin up there and see how the weather plays out. Worst case we may just go to Chicot, forecast mostly the same except 10 degrees warmer.

This will be our first time up there, so far our favorite LA state park is South Toledo Bend. I wont be pulling the boat along, my Nissan rogue cant quite handle the boat and all of our camping gear, but will take our poles. We also plan on trying to see some birds to add to our checklist.



Any tips, or must see things from any of you that have been before?
I assume the park sells ice and firewood if we aren't able to collect enough?
If the need arises, how close will we be to a grocery store/wall world?

[LouisianaFishNut]

Hi Squiggy,
I highly recommend the cabins at D'arbonne, and as I hate freezing in a tent overnight, that forecast would get me indoors or keep me home. I've not seen the pier anywhere, but I wasn't looking for it. Maybe someone else here can chime in on that. If you're looking for crappie to catch, they'll likely be clustered in the deeper water by now, and I'm not sure you can reach them without a boat. Not to volunteer anyone, but there are several fantastic members that live in the area, so maybe someone will be heading out and let you know in plenty of time so you can share a boat ride while you're there.

I've never seen anywhere in the park to get ice, but on the way in from Hwy 33, there's an ice machine ($2 bag/16lb?) right near the corner of Hwy 2 and 33. Of course, at that point, you're close to gas stations, restaurants, etc. There's another place on Hwy 2 between the park and Hwy 33 as well, right beside a boat launch, but I don't recall the hours of operation.

The Walmart is there in Farmerville. If you pull out of the park, turn right and right again onto Hwy 2 and head East. When you get to the stop sign at Hwy 33 (near the ice machine), turn right and head South on 33 through town. You'll find Hwy2 East makes a turn to the left again and you can follow it to the Walmart, which will be on the left hand side. Seems it's at the top of a hill if I remember correctly. There's also another grocery store there right off Hwy 33 in town. Not big, but would have basic groceries you might want/need.

As for firewood, I've found most of the cabins seem to have a little stash, but I have no idea where it comes from. But the woods are plenty thick so I don't see how you'd have trouble finding wood if you have to. The park is pretty large as well, so if you didn't find it close, drive around to another area and look around.

That's about all I can contribute. Hope you have a safe trip and enjoy yourselves!
Scott

[bflowers]

They do sell firewood in the campgrounds, see the camp host in site 30.

[Squiggyfreud]

thanks for the info guys, I usually bring my little electric chainsaw so scavenging for wood is not a problem, except my wife likes to have a fire 24/7 so it goes quickly. I think we have decided to go ahead and book a cabin instead of the tent...we have slept in the tent during light freezes, we use the improved sites so we can have heater/electric blankets. this is more of a hiking/nature trip so I am not too worried about fishing...this time

[LouisianaFishNut]

When we were there for the gathering, my wife/kids contacted the office about geo caching. Used a phone app or something to follow coordinates through the woods to stashed boxes and exchanged items from the box. They all had fun. Something to consider if it's not too cold.

[Squiggyfreud]

When we were there for the gathering, my wife/kids contacted the office about geo caching. Used a phone app or something to follow coordinates through the woods to stashed boxes and exchanged items from the box. They all had fun. Something to consider if it's not too cold.

I remember reading about that, thanks sounds like fun.

[Tracker123]

... this is more of a hiking/nature trip so I am not too worried about fishing...this time

Nothing wrong with that - not at all. Don't forget to post pictures when you get back. We love pictures. Have a great time!

[shadow]

You won't be disappointed in the cabins, they are very nice and they have a fire place so your wife can still have her fire!