Recreation
Lake Charles Community Area Information
The Great Outdoors
If you love nature and enjoy the great outdoors, the Lake Area is your paradise. Louisiana is known as the Sportsman’s Paradise. There’s a plethora of activities unparalleled elsewhere. It’s carte blanche time… indulge.
The water beckons you down the winding bayous and rivers, and across the blue lakes to the fertile marshes. In these waters the fisherman can find speckled trout, bass, bream, flounder, catfish, redfish, and crawfish. Professionals and amateurs alike try their hand at shrimping during the season. Big game enthusiasts can pursue their deep-sea sport in the Gulf of Mexico where tarpon, marlin, bluefish, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, barracuda, snapper, dolphin, bonito, and other large fish inhabit the waters, practically guaranteeing bountiful catches in all seasons. Charter boats are available.
For the hunter, two game preserves, marsh and woodland, are available. These preserves are alive with ducks, geese, quail, deer and doves. Millions of North American ducks and snow geese winter in these marshes. The local chapter of Ducks Unlimited is active in wildlife conservation. This organization is “dedicated to preservation, restoration and maintenance of wetlands and breeding habitats” for some 300 species of birds, mammals, and fish. Many hunters fine-tune their marksmanship through active membership at the privately-owned Calcasieu Rod and Gun Club or the Jean Lafitte Gun Club, opened to the public (337-478-2672).
Lake Charles is naturally rich in water resources; therefore, a large part of its recreational activities are centered on water. From canoeing on the scenic Ouiska (“Whiskey”) Chitto creek to the recreational fishing in the Toledo Bend reservoir, from sail boating on Lake Charles to water skiing on the Calcasieu River, water and recreation go together in Southwest Louisiana.
The coveted National Scenic Byway designation has been earned by the Creole Natural Trail, which begins ten miles west of the city on Hwy 27. Alligators, native bird species, wild flowers, magnificent oaks, swamps and beaches abound in this natural marsh setting.
Nature trails are also to be found at Sam Houston Jones State Park, less than 10 miles northwest of the city. Its 1,069-acre densely wooded area has scenic picnic grounds with barbeque facilities, stone cabins, modern camping facilities and boat-launching areas. Campers and picnickers alike find this pictorial sanctuary adorned with stands of magnolia, dogwood, honeysuckle, and yellow jasmine.
North Beach, off I-10, and the I-210 beach are popular havens for swimmers, water skiers, picnickers and sunbathers. They are the only inland beaches between the Florida and California coasts.
The city of Lake Charles and the city of Sulphur both offer extensive recreation programs that appeal to all ages. Mallard Cove Golf Course was named the third best public-access course in the state with its superb maintenance and course layout.
Living in Lake Charles definitely has its advantages as indicated in all of these nature-related activities. There are also many opportunities to continue a sport or recreational activity on a local or national level.
Public and Private Facilities & Events Available:
Country Clubs Civic Center
Golf Courses (5) Ball Fields
Tennis Courts Recreation Centers
Parks: State & Local Auditorium
Museums Theatre
Coliseum Symphony
Delta Downs Race Track
Recreational activities: boating, fishing, hunting, camping and beaches
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Archery- The Lake Charles Archery Club provides a target practice range and clubhouse for participants.
Boat Safety- The Lake Charles Power Squadron holds safety classes for boat owners wanting to learn safe boat handling.
Bowling- In the Lake Charles area there are several bowling alleys from which to choose. The newest is Petro Point Bowling Center, which features a complete Pro Shop and Lounge and also has computerized score keeping.
Cycling- The Lake City Cyclists are always ready to add new members to their ranks. They sponsor an assortment of races for the novice and expert.
Golf- The Lake Charles area boasts five 18-hole golf courses. The two private clubs are: The Lake Charles Country club, located on Prien Lake Road and the Bayou Oaks Country Club near Carlyss. Open to the public is Pine Shadows Golf Club (337-433-8681) located in northeast Lake Charles on Goodman Road, Frasch Park (337-527-4500) in Sulphur, Mallard Cove Golf Course (337-491-1204) located in east Lake Charles on the former Chennault Air Force Base, and the award winning Gray Plantation (337-562-1663). Please call for information and/or tee times.
Horseracing- Quarter horse racing from September through July can be found at Delta Downs Racetrack (337-433-3206), in Vinton, just 25 miles west of Lake Charles.
Running- The Lake Area Runners sanction races throughout the year, including the Contraband Days’ 5 Miler and the annual fall triathlon and participate in weekend runs in nearby cities.
Sailing – The Lake Charles Yacht Club (337-433-9257), welcomes sailors from six states to its annual Contraband Regattas as well as scheduling summer and frostbite races year round.
Swimming – In addition to swimming in the designated natural lakes and beaches, there are three public swimming pools to satisfy aquatic desires at University Park, Second Avenue Park and Goosport Park. The YMCA pool has swim classes and a swim team, which competes throughout the south. Private pools can be found at the Lake Charles Country Club, Bayou Oaks Country Club, and the Lake Charles Racquet Club.
Public Tennis Courts:
Barbe High School
Lanza Recreation Center
Brentwood Park
W.W. Lewis Junior High
Carlyss Courts
McNeese State University
Frasch Park
Simmons Street Park
Goosport Recreation Center
Sulphur High School
Huber Park
University Park
Lake Charles High School
W. 18th Street Park
LaGrange High School
W. Lake Courts
Private Tennis Courts
Lake Charles Country Club
Lake Charles Racquet Club
Raquetball
Sports and Athletic Club
4324 Lake Street / (337) 478-8686
Central YMCA
618 Kirby Street / (337) 436-7593
Health Clubs (located in Lake Charles unless noted elsewhere)
Cardiovascular Fitness Center “GIGI’s” of
St. Patrick Hospital, 337-474-6601
Gigi’s Downtown
Curves, 337-479-27477, (Sulphur) 337-528-8595, (Moss Bluff) 337-855-2311
Dynamic Dimensions of
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (Sulphur) 337-527-5459, (Moss Bluff) 337-855-7708
Genesis Fitness Center (Westlake) 337-436-8913
Health Connexion (Sulphur) 337-527-9750
LA Fitness Center, 337-478-8686
No Sweat Toning & Tanning Salon, 337-474-6035
Sports and Athletic Club, 337-478-8686
University Gym, 337-477-5573
YMCA, Downtown: 337-436-7593 & Foreman-Reynaud: 337-436-2509
YMCA – Lake Charles has two “Y” facilities with family programs. The downtown Y at 618 Kirby has a fully equipped exercise room, health club, handball/racquetball courts and swimming pool. The entire family can join classes in swimming, life saving, scuba, tennis, gymnastics and aerobics. The Foreman-Reynaud YMCA is located on the north side of Lake Charles at 215 Albert Street. It too has a complete schedule of classes, gym, tennis courts, and much more for family recreation.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
(for more information, call the City Parks & Recreation Department, 337-491-1280)
BASEBALL – Little League baseball is very popular in Lake Charles, and the area quite often sends teams on to compete in regional tournaments. The City of Lake Charles is divided into three areas. The Recreation Department provides the fields. The city of Sulphur and Moss Bluff are aligned with the Dixie Youth League.
From the age of 5 to 15, boys and girls can sign up for tee-ball, softball, or baseball. Older boys play American Legion ball.
FOOTBALL – Games are played under the auspices of the Recreation Department at
school fields. Mostly for the grade school group, the teams have volunteer coaches and cheerleaders.
BASKETBALL – For the grade school age group, sponsored by the Recreation Department. The school gyms are used.
SOCCER – For all age groups! Sponsoring group is all-volunteer and has quite an international flavor. Interest in soccer is growing by leaps and bounds. Tournaments are played in neighboring cities, and summer camps are held. The Lake Charles Soccer Association (337-474-6131), has all the necessary information.
BOY SCOUTS – (337) 436-3376 -A full program from Tiger Cubs and Cub Scouts to Explorers is available. The parish area Boy Scout Council is responsible for Camp Edgewood located near DeQuincy, Louisiana. The 265-acre camp, with a 12-acre lake, holds regular summer sessions from mid-June through mid-July. The site, however, is open year round for weekend camp-outs and other troop activities.
GIRL SCOUTS – 1-800-960-2093 – Today’s Girl Scout has adopted a contemporary identity of scouting while carrying on the historical commitment of the Girl Scout Promise. Girl scouting offers programs from Kindergarten through high school. The Bayou Girl Scout Council encompasses a 13-parish area with a nearby office in Lafayette. Girl Scouts offers tradition with a future.
CAMP FIRE – (337) 478-6550 – The Camp Fire Program is no longer just for girls. The purpose is still the same: helping young people grow into responsible adults with emphasis placed on service to others, the arts, home life, and the outdoors. Camp Wi-Ta-Wentin in Moss Bluff is for Camp Fire members and non-members. Regular camp sessions are held during July. Other club and self-reliance activities are conducted at the office and in the classroom during the balance of the year. With over 12,000 members, leaders and volunteers throughout seven parishes, the Camp Fire Program is growing and proud to be a part of Southwest Louisiana.
