Louisiana Hiking Club

​Information and Schedule of EVENTS

 

Group Campsite @ Chicot State Park 

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Friday afternoon, March 6 -- Sunday noon, March 8, 2026

A weekend of socializing with friends, hiking & learning new skills! 

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Directions:  3469 Chicot Park Rd (It’s about 2 hours from Baton Rouge. Slow down! Watch out for speed traps around the Ville Platte area. Larger Map.

 

Check forecast and temperature at Ville Platte, LA and bring appropriate gear.

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Cell Phone Service: Little-to-no reception in the area. Camp Fest organizers

may not be able to respond to your email/text after arriving at the park.

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Arriving at Chicot State Park :  Mention you are here to attend the

Louisiana Hiking Club event at the entrance to receive a parking tag.

We reserved the Group Camp for the weekend,

so members will not be required to pay the daily usage fee.

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Check In: Everyone MUST Check-in at the registration table

located at Group Campsite.

Friday: 4 pm - 8 pm

Saturday: 8 am- 1 pm

Walk-in registration and/or membership renewal is welcome,

but please bring CASH!

 

There will be presentations, gear displays, campfires, canoe trip, and a guided tour of the Louisiana State Arboretum.

 

Volunteers Sign-up: Needed for

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- Saturday morning hike lead (1)
- Coffee Station - Saturday AND Sunday morning- (2)
- Set up for Saturday night dinner (4)
- Servers for Saturday night dinner (4)
- Clean up after Saturday night dinner (4)
- Clean up after Sunday morning (8)
- Sunday canoe trip assistance with Mike (1)

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   Please fill out the volunteer signup sheet in the dining hall.

You can also volunteer early.

​Send an email to Campfest Coordinator (kellypnc@cox.net)

and see what spots are open. 

 

Campfest Checklist:

- Friday dinner if arriving on Friday Saturday breakfast, lunch and snacks

- BYOB - Bring your own beverage
- Camp chair
- Reusable water bottle Coffee cup
- Personal items & medication Headlamp/flashlight/batteries Insect repellent
- Sun protection: sunscreen/hat/sunglasses​

 

Members are responsible for their own dinner on Friday as well as breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Saturday night dinner will be furnished by the club with pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, and dinner rolls on the menu. On Sunday there will be coffee and breakfast pancakes furnished by the club. 

 

Because of limited space in the kitchen, you are responsible for refrigeration of any perishable food or beverages. LHC suggests brining your personal coffee cups and water bottles. 

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The registration price includes male and female dormitories with bunk beds and showers. If you need beds, please make sure to mark the choice on the registration form.  There are 26 beds on both male and female sides which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Register for CampFest here.

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THINGS TO REMEMBER   

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• Kitchen access is limited to kitchen crew volunteers.  

• Walk-in registration and/or membership renewal is welcome but please bring CASH or check! 

• State Park policy requires pets to be always on a leash (no longer than 6 feet). No pets in buildings.  

• Chicot State Park prohibits tents, hammocks, and RVs of any size at the Group Camp area.  

• USED GEAR SALE!! Please pre-label gear with your name, contact information and asking price. 

• RV's must reserve a spot in the improved campsites at your expense. Tent campers must also make their own reservations.  Make reservations here. 

• Please note that there is NO CAMPING at the Group Campsite.  Only dorm beds are available for overnight accommodations. Tent campers must make reservations with Chicot for campsites. The Louisiana Hiking Club has not made any arrangements for tent campers. If you have questions please contact Kelly at kellypnc@cox.net.

• Chicot State Park Map - download PDF here.

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SCHEDULE  

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Friday, March 6

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8:00 AM  Trail Maintenance click  here for details.

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Check-in  (Group Camp Area)

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8:00 PM - ? Campfire and S'mores

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Saturday , March 7

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Check-in Continues (Group Camp Area)

 

Children activities.

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Shop - Used/New Merchandise for sale.

Bring pre-labeled used gear.

Mark your gear with your name,

contact info and asking price

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9:30 AM Presentation by the Backpacker on packing for a day hike.  

The presentation also includes gear displays.

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12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Presentation on mushrooms

By Reese Cronce at the Arboretum 

 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch

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1:00 PM Presentation on Seasonable Employment at

National Parks (Arboretum) by Sherry Dunbar.

Sherry will show video and share experiences.

Note: The Arboretum does not allow pets on their premises, buildings or trails.

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​1:00 PM Forest Bathing/Journaling Led by Kathie Pohlman.

 Class is limited to 20 people and participants will need to supply

their own journaling material as well something comfortable to sit on.  

Forest Bathing will follow the journaling class.

 

2:00 PM Afternoon hike (tentative).

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6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Potluck Dinner

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7:30 PM - 8:00 PM Raffle/Door Prizes

 

8:00 PM  Campfire  

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Sunday, March 8

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7:00 AM - 9:00 AM  Pancake Breakfast (provided by the club).

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9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Canoeing on the Lake led by Trail Guide Mike VanEtten​

Meet outside the Group Camp building at 8:15 AM or the South Landing at 8:30 AM. Canoes are available (RSVP required), or bring your own watercraft.

        Canoes will be launched by 9 am and the trip will take about 2 to 2.5 hours.

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