Sam Houston Jones State Park near Lake Charles occupies 1,087 acres where the Houston River meets the Calcasieu River and Indian Bayou. Its woodlands, lakes, rivers, lagoons, bald cypress, and mixed pine and hardwood forest make it both a scenic natural area and a center for outdoor recreation. Originally named for Sam Houston, the park now honors former Louisiana governor Sam Houston Jones, who helped preserve this tract for public use. Boat launches, rental boats, hiking trails, and an old stagecoach road connect visitors to its waterways and forests, while abundant wildlife and a location along the Central Migratory Flyway make it important for birding.