Take a Stroll at Brownell Memorial Park

If you search "state parks" and follow the GPS anywhere off US 90 often times you'll find yourself driving to an RV park. Brownelle Memorial Park is truly a hidden gem, considering GPS doesn't even pick it up! It's nearby what seemed to be a popular RV park (and pretty park at that!) but if you are looking for solitude and a more primitive feel, keep driving about a half a mile past the RV park and turn right at the small sign that reads: Carillon Tower. It's not well marked -- so keep your eyes peeled. 

Parking is free and there's a cute little log shack, the visitor's center. The park stretches out 11 acres, and upon arriving you might feel completely encompassed by the spanish moss drenched trees. Follow the short trail to the Carllion tower, a beautiful and simple bell tower that stands over 100 feet tall and sings beautifully! It holds 61 bronze bells, cast in Holland, which represent five full octaves and range in weight from 18 pounds to 4730 pounds! 

The immediate trails take you around the bell, alongside the lake and through some beautiful swamp land, ending up back at the main grassy park entrance. I think you can actually hike further, although I used the walk as a pit stop break on a longer road trip so didn't explore much more than about a mile. There are benches and I highly recommend sitting long enough to hear the bells a few times through. Beautiful nature tones. All in all, it is a relatively small park and can be explored in about an hour, but is still a pretty sight to see!

Directions: Off US 90, take the Morgan City exit. Go about 1.5 miles off US 70, passing Lake End park. Continue about 1 mile and turn right into park. 

*Side note: It is wet land, so bugs will be bad when humidity is high.