Photos, videos: Get away from it all at Cotile Lake Recreation Area and Airbnbs along the lakeshore
Cotile Lake stretches for 1,775 acres outside of Boyce, about 20 miles northeast of Alexandria.
The manmade lake, created in 1965 to help local farmers irrigate their crops, is owned and maintained by the Rapides Parish Police Jury.
Airbnbs are available for rent along its shoreline, and the police jury owns and operates the 85-acre Cotile Lake Recreation Area, which offers camping, picnicking, swimming, playgrounds for children, boating and fishing. The lake is stocked with fish with perch and bass being the most popular catches.
The park's 64 camping spots are equipped with electrical and water hookups with some offering sewer hookups.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area, 75 Cotile Lake Road, Boyce, will host its annual Halloween Bash in October with trick-or-treating for kids, costume constests, a food truck and a DJ.
For more information, call (318) 793-8995 or visit ppj.com/departments/cotile-lake-recreation.
Cotile Lake as seen from the shore of Cotile Lake Recreation Area, about 20 miles northeast of Alexandria outside of Boyce.
A view of Cotile Lake from within Cotile Lake Recreation Area's open pavilion. The park has three pavilions that can be rented for gatherings.
For travelers who don't want to camp, there are Airbnbs across the lake to rent. This is a view from one of the vacation rentals.
For travelers who don't want to camp, there are Airbnbs across the lake to rent. This is a view from one of the vacation rentals.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area is a popular, rustic park among travelers and picnickers. It seems to have been a special place at one point for a couple named Richard and Sherry, who declared their love by carving their names in the park's open pavilion overlooking the lake.
A quick glance at Cotile Lake from the shores of Cotile Lake Recreation Area near Boyce, La., on a sunny, Louisiana August afternoon. Staff video by Robin Miller
A concrete stairway connects the open pavilion to the shoreline at Cotile Lake Recreation Area near Boyce. Visitors can walk a trail along the shoreline, where they can picnic or set up tents for primitive camping.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area has two swimming areas with sandy beaches, each bordered by orange bouys. The larger swimming area is located hear the boat launch.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area has two swimming areas with sandy beaches, each bordered by orange bouys. The larger swimming area is located hear the boat launch.
A different viewpoint of Cotile Lake's 1,775 acres from an Airbnb across the lake. Vacation rentals are plentiful in the area.
A different viewpoint of Cotile Lake's 1,775 acres from an Airbnb across the lake. Vacation rentals are plentiful in the area.
A pier extends into Cotile Lake near the boat ramp at Cotile Lake Recreation Area. The 85-acre park offers camping, boating, picnicking, playgrounds and swimming.
Looking out at Cotile Lake from the edge of the pier near Cotile Lake Recreation Area's boat ramp. The 85-acre park offers camping, boating, picnicking, playgrounds and swimming.
A walk along the pier at Cotile Lake Recreation Area's boat launch. One of the park's two swimming areas is on the opposite side of the pier. The recreation area near Boyce, La., also includes camping, picnicking and playgrounds. Staff video by Robin Miller
Looking at the shore from the pier near the boat ramp at Cotile Lake Recreation Area. The 85-acre park offers camping, boating, picnicking, playgrounds and swimming.
A look at the boat ramp from Cotile Lake Recreation Area's pier. The lake is stocked with fish with perch and bass being the most popular catches.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area's boat ramp is wide and easily accessible. The lake is stocked with fish with perch and bass being the most popular catches.
A wooden and bricked stairway carves a path through the piney woods to the shore of Cotile Lake from an Airbnb along the lake. These vacation rentals are available and offer beautiful views of the manmade lake.
An Airbnb offers fishing and views of Cotile Lake. These vacation rentals are located along the lake's shore.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area offers lots of playground areas for children.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area offers lots of playground areas for children.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area offers lots of playground areas for children.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area offers lots of playground areas for children.
A view of Cotile Lake from the shoreline of Cotile Lake Recreation Area near Boyce. The park offers camping, picnicking, swimming, playgrounds and fishing.
Swimmers sunbathe in lawn chairs along the shore of the large swimming area at Cotile Lake Recreation Area near Boyce. The park is located along the shores of the 1,775-acre, manmade lake.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area has two swimming areas with sandy beaches, each bordered by orange bouys. The larger swimming area is located hear the boat launch.
A concrete bench overlooks the large swimming area at Cotile Lake Recreation Area. The park has two swimming areas with sandy beaches, each bordered by orange bouys. The larger swimming area is located hear the boat launch.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area's grounds are scattered with picnic tables for day use visitors. The park also offers lots of playground areas for children.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area near Boyce is a popular camping spot for travelers who are looking for a rustic getaway. The park offers 64 camping spots, all equipped with electrical and water hookups. Eight of the spots offer sewer hookups.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area near Boyce is a popular camping spot for travelers who are looking for a rustic getaway. The park offers 64 camping spots, all equipped with electrical and water hookups. Eight of the spots offer sewer hookups.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area near Boyce is a popular camping spot for travelers who are looking for a rustic getaway. The park offers 64 camping spots, all equipped with electrical and water hookups. Eight of the spots offer sewer hookups.
A view of Cotile Lake from one of Cotile Lake Recreation Area's camping spots. Some of the spots are washing away, but the park is receiving a federal grant, along with state funding, to overhaul the sites.
A concrete bench overlooks the smaller swimming area at Cotile Lake Recreation Area. The park has two swimming areas with sandy beaches, each bordered by orange bouys. The larger swimming area is located hear the boat launch.
The smaller swimming area at Cotile Lake Recreation Area is one of two swimming areas with sandy beaches, each bordered by orange bouys. The larger swimming area is located hear the boat launch.
A view of Cotile Lake from atop the hill near Cotile Lake Recreation Area's open pavilion.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area's open pavilion overlooks the 1,775-acre, manmade lake from atop a hill. The park is located near Boyce.
A view of Cotile Lake from an Airbnb along the shore. Airbnbs in tbe area are available for vacation rentals.
A view of Cotile Lake from atop the hill near Cotile Lake Recreation Area's open pavilion.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area's open pavilion stands atop a hill overlooking the 1,775-acre, manmade lake. It is one of the park's three pavilions that can be rented for gatherings.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area's open pavilion stands atop a hill overlooking the 1,775-acre, manmade lake. It is one of the park's three pavilions that can be rented for gatherings.
A wooden and bricked stairway leads from an Airbnb to a pier along the shore of Cotile Lake. Airbnbs are available for rent in the area.
A look at Cotile Lake through the piney woods along the shoreline from an Airbnb. Area Airbnbs are available for rent.
A view of Cotile Lake from an Airbnb along the shoreline. Area Airbnbs are available for rent.
A look at Cotile Lake's shoreline from atop a hill in the Cotile Lake Recreation Area's campground. The park offers 64 camp sites, all equipped with electrical and water hookups. Some sites have sewer hookups.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area's entry way. All visitors are required to stop and pay for either camping or day use.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area's entry way. All visitors are required to stop and pay for either camping or day use.
Cotile Lake Recreation Area's entry way. All visitors are required to stop and pay for either camping or day use.