This geocaching adventure challenges you to visit each of Louisiana's State Parks and Historic Sites. Each State Park and Historic Site has a unique special mission with a story to tell, and offers its own very special geocaching adventure for you to experience. Each of these facilities has an official Geo Project cache, containing a special clue for you to find and record. These clues collectively will enable you to determine the coordinates of the mystery location of the Final Cache, which is located somewhere in the state of Louisiana. Use this Official LAOSP Clue Tracking Sheet to record all your clues.
As you travel our fine state, we encourage you to upload photos of your travels on the geocaching.com web pages. However, we ask that you please do not log clues or spoilers to the caches...they would have to be deleted to keep the game fun for everyone! Do tell us all about your travels and what you liked best about our parks and historic sites. As an extra incentive, and for a limited time, you can earn a Louisiana State Park Geocoin for visiting all of our State Parks and Historic Sites, and finding all the official geocaches placed for your pleasure! Prizes are limited to the supply in hand and will not be replenished.
Before you hunt for your first cache, click this link to read the rules for the Geo Project * Louisiana Office of State Parks. You must follow all the rules, to qualify to win one of these great prizes and collectibles.
This cache was place by the geocachers of Louisiana, on behalf of the Louisiana Office of State Parks. It is designed to bring your attention to these beautiful State Parks and Historic Sites. We ask that you join us by visiting them whenever you get a chance. Our State Park system is a great resource, so remember to "cache in and trash out".
Congratulations to arkfiremedic FTF!
Lake Bistineau State Park
103 State Park Road, Doyline, LA 71023
318-745-3503 or 888-677-2478 toll free
Email: lakebistineau@crt.la.gov
Directions: From I-20 at Minden take LA 371 south to Sibley, LA 164 west to Doyline, and LA 163 south to the park. GPS Coordinates: N 32 26.6334; W 93 22.8168.
Hours of Operation: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. All park sites close at 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.
Entrance Fees: $3 per person; Free for Seniors (62 and older) and children age 3 and under
Golden Age & Golden Access Passports (Available through the National Park Service. Click here for more information)
Visitors who hold a Golden Age or Golden Access Passport are entitled to a 50% reduction on camping fees at Louisiana State Parks. (Passport holders are allowed one site per passport).
It is recommended that anyone attempting the State Park Geo Project series should consider getting the Louisiana State Parks' $80 Annual Park Pass, which is valid for day use at all sites for the duration of a calendar year (i.e., January through December), and can be purchased at any state park. All people accompanying a permit holder as occupants of a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, in which the permit holder is a passenger or driver, are included in the Annual Pass admission.
Trails at Lake Bistineau State Park:
- 10-mile Hiking/Biking Trail
- 1/2-mile Nature Trail
- 6-mile Equestrian Trail
Situated on the western shore of Lake Bistineau, this park offers a satisfying blend of beautiful vistas and outstanding recreational facilities. Memorable for its upland mixed hardwood forest, its open waters, and its enchanting stands of cypress and tupelo trees, the park offers two boat launches, hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, two swimming pools, a lakefront beach, camping, cabins, lodges, and excellent fishing!
Beginning in January with the "yo- yo" season and lasting through the spring, summer, and early fall, the dedicated fisherman can draw such freshwater catches as black crappie, largemouth bass, yellow bass, catfish, bluegill, and red-ear sunfish from the lake's clear waters.
Lake Bistineau dates back over 200 years. It began in 1800 when several thousand acres of land were flooded due to a gigantic log jam in the Red River. Gradually, however, as the area was dredged, the lake began to drain. Then in 1935, a permanent dam was built across Loggy Bayou,creating the present-day Lake Bistineau. The dam has since been enlarged, giving the reservoir a surface area of 26.9 square miles, with an average depth of seven feet and maximum depth of 25 feet.
Area 1 is located in the main section of the park, with cabins, a group camp and swimming beach. Picnicking along the lake is tremendously popular at numerous sites equipped with tables, grills, and nearby restrooms. Several picnic pavilions are also available for larger groups. The park's trail system encompasses nearly 10 miles of woodland trails and an 11-mile canoe trail, for visitors who want to see the park's beauty from the water.
Although Area 2 is connected to the main part of the park by the lake, to reach Area 2 by car you will return to the highway by going east off LA 163, along Webster Parish Road 177, to the entrance.
Area 2 includes a group camp, playgrounds, a large picnic area with several pavilions, a swimming pool, a baseball field and a boat launch.
Your Clues to this Cache...
Willis Homestead...
Just a little Park History:
1932-The State of Louisiana acquired the property from the Willis family. The Willis family farmed the land and cut cypress timber from the lakebed. There was a sawmill at the present day Area II. During drawdowns, remnants of the operation can still be seen. The Willis Homestead Trail is named for the homesite halfway down the trail. The Willis family still frequently visits the park.