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HORSE TRAIL AT HODGES GARDENS TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY: Effective Monday, April 8, the equestrian trails at Hodges Gardens State Park will close to the public, for timber harvesting. The equestrian campground will remain available to overnight visitors during the closure.
OFFICE OF STATE PARKS REVISES OPERATING HOURS:
  • Entrance stations: open until 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and nights before holidays, all year.
  • From October through March: open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • From April through September: boat launch: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Non boat launch: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Gates at parks with boat launches: open 6 a.m. Non boat launch: 7 a.m. and will close at 9 p.m.
    • FISHING LIMITED AT HODGES GARDEN STATE PARK: Due to issues with the lake from the drought last summer, fishing is currently limited to banks, piers and canoes.

    Hodges Gardens State Park, LA

    Status: Open year round.   Season Dates
    Max reservation window: Tue Apr 22 2014   Later Dates

    Description

    Over 700 acres of wild and cultivated beauty, Hodges Gardens State Park, located in Sabine Parish, is a unique member of the State Parks system. Originally designed and opened to the public in 1956 by oil and gas businessman and avid conservationist, A.J Hodges Sr. (1890 - 1966), the site's gardens consist of a variety of plants and flowers, from a formal rose garden to a collection of Japanese Red Maple trees. Walkways and footbridges throughout the gardens allow the visitor to stroll through an abundance of flora. Water from 225-acre lake, built in 1954, is pumped from the lake through the gardens to waterfalls, pools, fountains and to the watering system before it is recycled back into the lake.

    History

    A site rich in history, the area was once home to bands of Indians, Spanish and French Explorers, and Highwaymen. Early explorers gradually beat out a road through the forest. It originated in Natchitoches, crossed west central Louisiana (through the heart of what is now Hodges Gardens) on to Texas and Maxico City. This famous road bears the name of El Camino Real, or the King's Highway. In 1898, stonemasons began mining sandstone from a quarry (which now lies within the Gardens) to build the jetties at Port Arthur. The quarry was soon abandoned, leaving a tri-level area with large natural rock formations exposed. About this time the lumbermen moved in, and soon the virgin long-leaf pine forests were stripped barren. Years later, A.J. Hodges, Sr. a leader in the reforestation movement, purchased over 100,000 acres, planted over 39,000 acres of pine seedlings and converted the entire acreage into a managed tree farm. Upon discovering the abandoned stone quarry, large rock, an abundance of wildflowers and pine seedlings covered the area. He and his wife, Nona Trigg Hodges, saw its potential for a natural scenic recreational area. Gradually the area was developed and opened to the public in 1956. The Park was formally dedicated on May 1, 1959 and transferred to a non-profit foundation in 1960.

    Hours of Operation: The gate opens daily at 7 a.m and closes at 9 p.m. Sunday - Thursday and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; Day Use Entrance Fees: $5 per person; $4 for Seniors (62 and older) free for children age 3 and under.

    Rules

    • Pets are not allowed in any buildings, including cabins and lodges.
    • Please be prepared to pay the balance of your facility rental fee upon your arrival at the park.
    • Reservations for overnight facilities are held until check-out time the day after your scheduled arrival.
    • Early departures will be treated as cancellations
    • Golden Age/Golden Access Passport holders must present a valid card at check-in.
    • Persons who rent park facilities can be held responsible for any damage done to those facilities.
    • All park buildings are smoke free environments including cabins and lodges.
    • Cabins and Lodges are furnished with basic kitchen utensils, pots, bed linens, pillows, and towels.
    • Group Camps are furnished with pots, basic kitchen utensils and bunk-beds.
    • Please bring your own pillows, bed linens, towels, soap products, and paper products (paper towel and tissue), etc.
    • A maximum stay of 14 consecutive days is allowed at the park.
    • Reservations must be made at least 1 day in advance

    If you are reserving a cabin, lodge or group camp 10 months or more in advance of the arrival this reservation will adhere to the following:

    • This reservation must be paid in full no later than 30 days after the reservation is made.
    • If you call the reservation center to drop off any days or cancel you will be charged one days rental.

    Services & Amenities:

    Within Facility
    • Amphitheater
    • Baseball/Softball Fld
    • Bath House
    • Bicycle Riding
    • Bird Watching
    • Boat Rental
    • Boating
    • Cabins
    • Canoe Rental
    • Canoeing
    • Comfort Station
    • Corrals, Horse
    • Fee Station
    • Fire Rings
    • Fish Cleaning Station
    • Fishing
    • Fishing Lake
    • Fishing Pier
    • Gardens, Botanical Displ
    • Gift/Souvenir Shop
    • Group Camping
    • Hiking Moderate
    • Ice Sales
    • Kayaking
    • Lookout Tower
    • Maintenance
    • Maintenance, Housekeeping
    • Managers Residence
    • Nature Programs
    • Nature Study
    • Park Entrance
    • Park office
    • Parking
    • Pavilion
    • Picnic Tables
    • Picnicing
    • Recreation Programs
    • Showers
    • Stargazing
    • Tent Area
    • Tent Sites
    • Walking
    • Water/Electric
    • Waterfall
    • Wildlife Viewing
    Within 10 Miles
    • Airport
    • Auto Touring/Scenic Rtes
    • Boat Launch
    • Boat Ramp
    • Cash Machine/Atm
    • Churches
    • Golfing
    • Hospital
    • Jet Skiing
    • Mall
    • Medical Clinic
    • Motel
    • Newspapers
    • Restaurant
    • Town
    • Trailer Camping
    Greater Than 10 Miles
    • Antiquing
    • Art & Museum
    • Fishing River
    • Hiking
    • Powerboating
    • Sail Boating
    • Skiing - Water
    • Snorkling
    • Sunbathing
    • Swimming - Lake
    • Swimming - Pool
    Alerts and Important Information

    EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010: The Peak and Non Peak seasons listed on the Reserve America Fees and Cancellation link are NOT correct. Please refer to LA State Parks Press Release for the new Winter and Summer seasons.


    For current state park beach advisories and other Louisiana State Parks updates please visit http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/iwhatsnew.aspx

    Horses are required to reserve an equestrian site. For Park Specific Questions contact the park at 1-800-354-3523. Should you have any problem with your reservation, or you need to make a change, transfer, or cancel, give us a call at 1-877-CAMP-N-LA. The cancellation fee is a minimum of $10 per facility. For reservations made 10 to 11 months in advance, the cancellation or transfer fee is one day use fee per facility. For all other reservations the cancellation or transfer fee is $10 per facility when cancelled or transferred 15 days or more before arrival or one day usage fee when cancelled or transferred 14 days or less before arrival. Reservations for overnight facilities are held from the scheduled date and time of arrival until checkout time the following day. WHETHER THE RESERVATION IS PAID IN FULL OR NOT

    Getting There:

    From I-20, take Hwy. 171 south. Hodges Gardens State Park is located approximately 14 miles south of Many. From I-10, take Hwy. 171 north. Hodges Gardens State Park is located approximately 20 miles north of Leesville. GPS Coordinates: N 31.36928; W 93.42486.

    Contact Information:

    Mailing Address:

    Hodges Gardens State Park
    1000 HODGES LOOP
    FLORIEN LA 71429

    Phone Number:

    Information: (800)354-3523