Sports & Recreation
Whatever the season or the specialty, Southwest Louisiana offers an abundance of recreational activities for everyone! The area is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and is permeated with coulees, bayous, streams, rivers and lakes. Naturally, a number of recreational activities are centered around water. From the scenic beauty of the Whiskey Chitto River, to recreational fishing in Toledo Bend Reservoir, to sailing on Lake Charles, to water skiing on the Calcasieu river, water and recreation go hand-in hand in Southwest Louisiana.

Southwest Louisiana is home to several state parks and two wildlife refuges. Among them are 1,068 acre Sam Houston Jones Park; 142,846 acres Sabine National Wildlife Refuge which is home for important wildlife species such as the American alligator, the red wolf, Peregrine falcon, as well as usual residents of Louisiana marshes; and 84,000 acre Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge. Wildlife and marine resources for fishing and hunting are among the best in the world. Duck and goose hunting are some of the hunting specialties, which attracts hunters nationwide. Toledo Bend Reservoir is home to annual championship freshwater fishing tournaments. Lake Charles and Cameron also host deep-sea fishing rodeos annually.

Southwest Louisiana's four riverboat casino's offer a variety of entertainment, from gaming to shows and concerts! Their beautiful surroundings and convenient location make them a highlight attraction in the area.

L'auberge du Lac
Grand Casino Coushatta
Isle of Capri

The area is home to Delta Downs, a race track for both thoroughbreds and quarter horses. Horse racing fans from both Texas and Louisiana frequent the track due to its excellent location.

Golf receives considerable attention in Southwest Louisiana. The Lake Charles area has five golf courses, while surrounding parishes have an additional four. Regional and professional tournaments are held annually at major courses such as Mallard Cove.

Parish sports leagues and little league organizations give residents the chance to participate in recreational or competitive pursuits. Area casino's also regularly host professional boxing matches that are televised nationwide. The area is sprinkled with a number of parks and has numerous beaches. Bowling alleys, basketball courts, skating rinks, several country clubs, etc. round out the activities available to area residents and visitors.