Cruising In Cameron Parish: Experience Beaches, Birds and Great Burgers 

by Kerri Cooke 

            Cameron Parish is one of the most ecologically diverse parishes in Louisiana, with its lush marshland and innumerable species of birds and butterflies. The parish is often overlooked by residents in other local parishes unless one is an avid hunter or fisher, as Cameron Parish is known as a sportsman’s paradise. But with its recovery efforts from Hurricane Laura in 2020 and new developments in local industry, I decided, as a native “Cameronite,” to revisit Cameron and make a trek through the parish on a beautiful spring Saturday. 

            I began my trip by driving south from Sulphur on Hwy. 27 and stopped by the Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point. I discovered information on Louisiana’s rice production, the types of animals found in the wetlands and an interactive display complete with Cajun instruments such as the accordion and fiddle.  

The Creole Nature Trail is a designated All-American Road and National Scenic Byway. Continuing south, I had forgotten the solitude of driving miles and miles through nothing but marshland. I passed several lookout points, including Blue Goose Walking Trail. 

When I arrived at Holly Beach, I headed west, through Johnson Bayou to the Texas border. I found the Sabine Pass Lighthouse, currently undergoing restoration. To see the lighthouse, I had to first check-in at the Johnson Bayou Library because visitors must pass through Cheniere’s gate to access the road that leads to the lighthouse.  

            I made a 40-minute stop at Mae’s beach, one of the smaller beaches along the western Cameron Parish coast. The beach was clean, quiet and perfect for some self-care time. I found a lightning welk shell half-submerged but close to shore and a piece of petrified wood. I also came across an American purple gallinule – perhaps the most colorful and beautiful bird I have ever seen. 

After washing off some sand, I returned east and passed Constance Beach, Little Florida Beach and Peveto Woods Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary. While bird migration wound down last month, I expect Peveto Woods will soon be blossoming with butterflies. Monarchs begin their trip south around the middle of August and pass through Peveto Woods on the way to their winter habitat. The collection of wildflowers alongside the roadway from Johnson Bayou through Holly Beach and to the Cameron Ferry was diverse and gorgeous. 

            The Creole Nature Trail attracts approximately 300,000 tourists each year, according to Visit Lake Charles. On the ferry crossing the Calcasieu Ship Channel, I was situated next to a vehicle with a family from Georgia. However, my main focus was on dolphins. I was on the lookout for Pinky, the famous albino dolphin that swims those waters, but I failed to see her or her baby. I did spot a different bottlenose dolphin and plenty of pelicans skimming the surface of the water for their next meal.  

I passed through the center of Cameron and saw a plethora of shrimping vessels on my way to Lighthouse Bend, the new restaurant, market and marina opened and staffed by Venture Global. The establishment is built on property owned by the prestigious Henry family. They are the descendants of Samuel P. Henry, known as the “Father of Cameron Parish.” I sat on the outside deck of Lighthouse Bend, overlooking the boat launch, which was quite busy that day. The restaurant was bustling, even after prime lunch hour, so I took in the nice view while I waited for my Cameron Cheeseburger. My entrée was quite good, and I learned the server, Tiffany Wilson, is also a native of Cameron. Family names were exchanged back and forth, as it goes in Cameron. We might not know you specifically, but we definitely know your relatives. 

The Cameron Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) park, now open and continuing to develop, benefits local fishermen and the Cameron Parish economy. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and biologists from Sea Grant chose a 48-acre area for sustainable oyster farming in the southern Calcasieu Lake/ Big Lake area. The park will eventually be open as a tourist destination, allowing visitors to attend tastings and learn about the oyster park. For now, the park offers oyster farmers a steady, year-round supply of oysters for market. 

            I ended my trip by traveling through Creole, past Pintail Wildlife Drive and Boardwalk, and Grand Chenier, where my Cajun grandparents used to live, and left by way of Little Chenier. The trip was a nice little getaway and Cameron Parish is a neighbor which shouldn’t be overlooked.