Jimmie Davis State Park

Jimmie Davis State Park is one of twenty-two state parks in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located near Chatham in Jackson Parish on the northern shore of Caney Creek Lake,[3] a 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) reservoir.[4]

Jimmie Davis State Park
Fishing on Caney Lake Reservoir in Jimmie Davis State Park.
Map showing the location of Jimmie Davis State Park
Map showing the location of Jimmie Davis State Park
Map of Louisiana, United States of America
LocationJackson Parish, Louisiana, USA
Coordinates32°17′31″N 92°30′44″W[1]
Area294 acres (119 ha)[2]
Established1996 (1996)[1]
Governing bodyLouisiana Office of State Parks
www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ijimmiedavis.aspx

History

Upon its inception in 1996, the facility was named Caney Creek Lake State Park. In 2003, it was renamed in honor of the former Governor Jimmie Davis, a native of nearby Quitman in Jackson Parish. A country-western singer and film star in the 1940s and 1950s, Davis was twice elected as governor, serving from 1944 to 1948 and from 1960 to 1964.

Nearby cities include Jonesboro (15 miles), Ruston (28 miles), and West Monroe (30 miles).

Activities

Jimmie Davis State Park encompasses the mixed pine-hardwood forested peninsula at Caney Creek Lake. It provides water access with two boat launches and a fishing pier. Accommodations are provided with 17 deluxe cabins, 2 deluxe lodges for larger groups, and 73 campsites. The cabins and premium campsites are located near the waterfront.

Many of the largest bass caught in Louisiana have come from Caney Lake Reservoir.[5] As of 2010, the largest bass from Louisiana, which weighed 16 pounds, was caught at Caney Lake.[6]

Cabins and lodges are equipped with satellite television, fireplace, cookware, and linens. Each has access to a boat dock with power connections for boats.

Cycling is popular in the area. Several miles of country lanes and roads pass within and outside the park for easy exploring. The park is the home of abundant wildlife, including white-tailed deer, raccoon, opossum, squirrels, rabbits, and waterfowl.

Jimmie Davis State Park
  • Boat dock at cabins 3 & 4.
    Boat dock at cabins 3 & 4.
  • Another dock on Caney Lake Reservoir.
    Another dock on Caney Lake Reservoir.

References
  1. "Jimmie Davis State Park - Louisiana Office of State Parks". Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  2. Smith, Darren L. (May 30, 2007). Gill, Kay (ed.). Parks Directory of the United States (5 ed.). Omnigraphics, Inc. p. 499.
  3. Not to be confused with Caney Lakes Recreation Area near Minden in Webster Parish
  4. Louisiana State Parks - A Guide to Louisiana's State Parks, State Historic Sites and Preservation Areas Brochure. Louisiana State Parks. 2007.
  5. John N. Felsher (May 2006). "The Changing Face Of Caney Lake". Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  6. Andy Crawford (March 25, 2010). "16-pound bass caught on Caddo, Louisiana record at stake". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2011. The current state record is a 15.97-pounder landed by Greg Wiggins in 1994 while fishing Caney Lake.
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