Located in central Cameron Parish, south of Lake Charles, Rutherford Beach offers stunning views, great fishing, and relaxing experience.
Location
The beach is located at the old mouth of the Mermentau River allowing for shallow water estuary canoeing or kayaking through the old Mermentau River system and Gulf activities to the east toward Grand Chenier and to the west toward Cameron.
Every once in a while we saw a patrol car drive by.
Amenities
Amenities include public bathrooms, showers, and picnic tables in a covered pavilion. A wonderful place to camp. We loved the fact that there's zero noise coming from the highway.
There's a parking area, but you can park your car or RV right on the beach, but be careful if you're on small rigs - the sand can be softer than it seems.
Bonfires are ok.
No lights, no signs of civilization, except for a few portable toilets and a shower. The nearest convenience store is 6 miles away, so bring everything you might need along.
Everything is absolutely free. You can drive onshore, set up your tent right on the beach, but bring weights or canopy because it can get really windy.
Usually, the beach is not crowded at all.
The water is muddy, but we saw people swimming and having great fun. Kids can go shell-hunting.
Driving Time
- Approximately 3 hours from Houston, TX
- Around 4 hours from New Orleans
What we loved
- Great views
- Top-notch fishing experience
Hotels and rentals
If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:
- Nearby rentals from VRBO.
- Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.
Beaches nearby
Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Rutherford Beach which you can visit:
- Holly Beach (Cajun Riviera) (20 miles)
- Little Florida Beach (29 miles)
- North Beach (Lake Charles) (34 miles)