Palmetto Island State Park

Louisiana's newest state park opened in 2010 on 1,299 acres along the Vermilion River near Abbeville, pushing the total state park system past 30,000 acres for the first time. The land sits in Vermilion Parish, part of Acadiana — the name given to the French Louisiana region where many descendants of expelled Acadians settled after the British drove them from Canada at the end of the Seven Years' War. The Acadians intermarried with other settlers here, forming what became Cajun culture. The park's boat launch puts you directly on the Vermilion for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. There's a water playground, cabins that sleep up to eight, and sites for RV and tent camping. Open daily. Three dollars to enter. Off LA-339 south of Abbeville.