Many years before colonization and the arrival of white settlers, present-day Duson was home to the Sioux, Cherokee, and Iroquois tribes. Modern Duson was established as a rail station by J.G. Parkerson, an executive of the Louisiana Western Railroad. The area snowballed in the 1900s as passenger and cargo services began on the railroad line between New Orleans and Houston. The village was named "Duson" after a famous lawman and sheriff called Curley Duson. The village of Duson was incorporated in December 1909, and Adolph De Jean was elected as the first mayor.
Today, Duson is a prospering town covering a total area of about 2.8 square miles with a population of just over 1,600. The town is in the Acadia and Lafayette Parishes. It is also part of the Crowley and Lafayette metropolitan statistical areas. Despite being small, Duson has many places and activities to explore. Judice Park is a famed location for many outdoor recreation activities, and Oasis Golf Practice Range is popular among golf enthusiasts. History buffs will not regret exploring the numerous museums in and near the town, including the Knock Knock Children's Museum and the Bayou Teche Museum.
Paintball pros, hobbyists, and guests looking to have a thrilling time can try paintballing in a fun atmosphere at Levena Paintball LLC. Duson also hosts various annual events, including a Mardi Gras celebration. Stroll around the city in the evening to explore its restaurants, shops, art galleries, and nightlife venues.
Mardi Gras – Drive to Lafayette in February to have fun at this event. The upcoming occasion happens yearly and often features live music, nightlife parties, and parades.
Celtic Bayou Festival – Attend this upcoming two-day event celebrating Celtic cultures in Lafayette. Live music, fantastic food, and plenty of drinks will impress you at the March event.
Scott Boudin Festival – Enjoy class Cajun meals and live entertainment at this upcoming event. It occurs for three days in April every year in Scott, which is 12 minutes east of Duson.
Palmetto Island State Park is a beautiful outdoor recreation area that’s 50 minutes south of Duson. You might see groundhogs, squirrels, alligators, skunks, and other animals inhabiting the park. The park has a boat launch area, offering guests canoeing and kayaking opportunities. You can also swim and catch fish on designated waterways. Take a stroll in the available trails, especially the 0.7-mile Cypress Nature Trail, to experience the area's ecosystem.
Chicot State Park near Ville Platte, an hour north of Duson, is a paradise for anglers who can try catching largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. The park also features an 8-mile canoe trail and about 20 miles of hiking trails. Birders should carry a pair of binoculars to watch warblers, herons, woodpeckers, and other birds.
Fifty-five minutes southeast of Duson, Lake Fausse Pointe State Park offers both land- and water-based activities. Boating and fishing are possible on Lake Fausse. Swimming is also permitted, but there are no lifeguards. Biking the trails encircling the area is a fantastic way to experience the park and take in stunning lake views. Camping is allowed in the park.
The Charpentier Historic District takes up 40 blocks of downtown Lake Charles, an hour west of Duson. It is filled with homes dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s built in the Victorian style. When the homes were built, there weren’t any architects, so each structure reflects the personality of the carpenter that built it.
Sterling Grove National Historic District is in downtown Lafayette. The properties in this 25-acre district were subdivided from the plantation of Charles Alexandre Homere Mouton. The 59 properties were built between 1848 and 1934.
In Martinville, 40 minutes southeast of Duson, is the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site. This place celebrates the culture of diverse people along the Bayou Teche, a 125-mile-long waterway. People of many heritages, including Creole, Acadian, Spanish, French, Native American, and those from many African countries, contributed to the culture of this region where a lot of the population speaks French. The main building is Maison Oliver, a Creole plantation built in 1815, along with a blacksmith shop and visitor center and an Acadian farmstead.
Lafayette KOA Holiday in Scott boasts a lake, two swimming pools, a playground, and a miniature golf course. The RV park has large spaces that can accommodate nearly all RV sizes. In Lafayette, Acadiana Park Campground is a spacious and beautiful area. Besides being pet-friendly, the park has showers and good call reception. Bayou Wilderness RV Campground in Carencro, 23 minutes northeast of Duson, has numerous amenities, including climate-controlled showers, fishing ponds, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. The park also has a general store where guests can get supplies.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Duson, LA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Duson?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Duson from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Duson?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
