Houma is the largest city and the parish seat of Louisiana's Terrebonne Parish. Before European settlers arrived in the Houma area, it was inhabited by the Chitimacha and then the Houma Native Americans. The new settlement was established in 1832 and named after the Native American tribe that had once occupied the land. During its early years, Houma was mainly developed for sugar cane plantations. Houma was incorporated in 1848 and reincorporated in 1898.
Houma now has a population of roughly 33,000 and is known for its delicious Cajun cuisine and music as well as its many swamps. The city even offers swamp tours, which allow visitors to take an airboat through the swamplands and get a glimpse of the fascinating ecosystems. And if you want to sample some of the area's tastiest Cajun food, you can check out the Bayou Country Crawfish Trail.
Another thing Houma is known for is its charter fishing trips. If you're an angling enthusiast, you can head out on one of these trips to one of the area's many excellent fisheries. When you're looking for outdoor recreation, you could also visit the Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area and observe the alligators, otters, and other fascinating creatures. Alternatively, you could take a stroll around the wonderful Chauvin Sculpture Garden.
If you're looking for indoor entertainment, a great choice is to check out one of Houma's many unique museums. A few interesting options are the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum, the Southdown Plantation & Museum, and the Regional Military Museum. Before you leave the area, you should definitely take some time to explore downtown Houma. The beautiful downtown area features historical buildings, a variety of popular shops and restaurants, a farmers' market, and many other attractions.
Campgrounds Near Houma, Louisiana
The Houma area has no shortage of great campgrounds. One example is the Capri Court Campground, where you can snag one of the 45 full-hookup RV campsites for under $35 per night. Surrounded by majestic cypress trees, the campground offers lots of amenities, including a pavilion, a camp store, laundry facilities, a dump station, and Wi-Fi. Plus, the park is the only Good Sam RV park in the area.
Another excellent camping option to consider is the Carriage Cove Mobile Home Park. The campground, which is revered for its peaceful atmosphere, offers full-hookup RV campsites. During your stay, you'll have convenient access to a variety of nearby city amenities. Additionally, the park's management is very accommodating and friendly to guests.
You may also want to camp at the Houma RV Park, which offers 29 full-hookup RV campsites for $35 per night or $175 per week. The campground provides plenty of amenities, such as Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, cable television, and a dump station. There are also video security cameras on the premises to help keep campers and their possessions safe.
State Parks Near Houma, Louisiana
Bayou Segnette State Park is situated on the west banks of the Mississippi River and is known for its many marshes and swamps. The park's unique setting provides a habitat for many fascinating wildlife species, including coypus, raccoons, American alligators, and opossums. The park is also a great birdwatching area with cool creatures like red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, and red-winged blackbirds inhabiting the skies. Other features of the park include a wave pool, a boat launch, excellent fishing spots, a scenic hiking trail, and several picnic pavilions.
Tickfaw State Park is one of Louisiana's most popular outdoor recreational areas. The park is most known for its diverse collection of ecosystems, including swamps, hardwood forests, and the Tickfaw River. During your visit, you can hike along the park's trails and boardwalks or rent a canoe and head out on the river. If you've got the kids with you, they can have a blast playing in the on-site water playground. While exploring the area, you'll want to watch for beavers, alligators, armadillos, foxes, and other interesting creatures.
If you enjoy water-based recreation, Grand Isle State Park is definitely worth checking out. The park serves as an excellent launch point for deep-sea fishing, and it's also a great location for swimming and boating. Every July, the park hosts the Tarpon Rodeo, which is a popular fishing competition. Visitors who would rather have fun on land can navigate the 2.5-mile nature trail, which provides lovely scenery and wonderful views of the park.
National Sites Near Houma, Louisiana
At the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and Chalmette National Cemetery, you can learn about the fascinating history of Louisiana. The park is made up of six different sites and preserves many monumental events in Louisiana history. The park commemorates the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 as well as the lives of the Acadian people, who were exiled from Nova Scotia. Those people went on to develop a blend of cultures, including cowboys, Creoles, and Cajuns. Some of the landmarks to check out during your visit are the French Quarter Visitor Center, the Chalmette Battlefield and Cemetery, and the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center.
One thing New Orleans, Louisiana is known for is its rich musical history, which you can learn about at the fascinating New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. The park commemorates a variety of early jazz musicians who heavily influenced the area's vibrant culture. Visitors can stop by famous jazz hotspots, including the Iroquois Theater and Frank Douroux's Little Gem Saloon. There's also an on-site visitor center where you can view fascinating memorabilia and learn about the history of the park. Live events are regularly hosted at the park, and during your visit, you can take a self-guided walking tour to see all of the most notable landmarks.
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile road that reaches from Natchez, MS to just south of Nashville, TN. Historically, the route was a hunting trail where Native Americans frequently made camp. Later, it became a very active trading route for several Native American tribes. Today, the parkway serves as an amazing place to view a variety of interesting historical sites, including Native American burial mounds, Civil War battlefields, and the location where Meriwether Lewis died. You'll also find some excellent recreational opportunities around the route, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and camping.
National Forests Near Houma, Louisiana
Homochitto National Forest encompasses roughly 190,000 acres across seven counties in southern Mississippi. The forest is known for its exceptional natural beauty, featuring crystal-clear lakes, sandy beaches, and peaceful grasslands. There are many top-tier trails to explore around the forest, including the Clear Springs Trail, which is a great mountain biking route, and the Brushy Creek Loop, which is perfect for hiking. If you head to Okhissa Lake, you can partake in fishing, boating, and swimming. Other popular activities around the natural area include picnicking, stargazing, and birdwatching.
De Soto National Forest, which is Mississippi's largest forest, comprises over 500,000 acres and protects an endangered Gulf Coast ecosystem. The longleaf pine groves and sprawling savannas provide picturesque scenery for visitors, who can enjoy activities like hiking, ATV riding, fishing, canoeing, biking, and wildlife viewing. A couple of the best hiking routes to check out are the Tuxachanie Trail and the Black Creek River. The forest is an especially great destination for biking enthusiasts, though, with the wonderful Bethel Mountain Bike Trail System winding through the area.
Kisatchie National Forest is the only national forest in Louisiana and comprises approximately 604,000 acres of land. Throughout the large forest, you'll find dense woodlands, peaceful lakes, and a variety of awesome hiking trails, including the Wild Azalea National Recreation Trail and the Kincaid Trail. Visitors to the tranquil forest can also enjoy activities like fishing, stargazing, geocaching, and birdwatching.
