The Cotile Lake Campground and Recreational Area in Rapides Parish is undergoing a $1.3 million renovation aimed at improving facilities and enhancing safety. 

The investment, funded by the state and insurance, addresses long-standing concerns from the local community and is expected to modernize the popular outdoor destination.

District B Police Juror Daniel Lonsberry emphasized the goal of enhancing the area’s appeal. 

“Cotile is a beautiful place, and we want to help make it even better,” he said in a report by KALB. 

Among the completed improvements is the rehabilitation of the bathhouses, a change welcomed by longtime community members who had raised concerns about cleanliness and maintenance.

Kathy Mixon, who has been part of the community for years, noted the improvements but believes further work is needed. 

“I think we could have a little bit more bathrooms open for the public, other than just this one here in the camping,” she said. She acknowledged, however, that conditions are significantly better than in previous decades.

Beyond infrastructure upgrades, security measures are also being prioritized. Plans include an after-hours gate, additional security cameras, and increased patrols from the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office. 

Lonsberry stated that these efforts are aimed at ensuring public safety. Renee Morrison, another longtime community member, supported the initiative. 

“If you got a bunch down there and they want to get rowdy and they know they’re being watched, it’ll deter that,” she said.

For campground operators and RV park owners, these updates reflect the growing necessity of modernizing facilities to meet evolving guest expectations. 

Larger RVs require expanded parking spaces and upgraded electrical hookups, and the Cotile Lake improvements are addressing these needs. 

“Campers now are made longer than what they were whenever this campground was first created,” Morrison explained, highlighting the benefits of extended sites and upgraded electrical connections, including additional 50-amp service.

With $436,000 remaining in the budget, further enhancements will continue, including aesthetic improvements. 

As the outdoor hospitality industry evolves, investments like these underscore the importance of adapting campgrounds to meet modern demands, improving both guest satisfaction and long-term viability.