This Once-Private Lake In Louisiana Offers A Pristine Beach Getaway

If you're planning your summer beach escape, you can now consider a new spot that wasn't available before. Lake Isabel sits on private property, so for years, the beautiful, crystal-clear lake in Louisiana was off limits. That changed in summer 2025, when the lake and its beautiful sandy beaches opened to visitors for the first time. 

This unique spot wasn't always a pristine lake. It used to be a sand and gravel pit until miners digging into it hit a natural spring, and the pit filled with water. The spring-fed lake, named Lake Isabel, is now a mile-long lake that spreads across 125 acres. It has azure water, white-sand beaches, and is hidden in the woods on private property. That property is Lake Isabel Farm, a 422-acre farm on the outskirts of Bogalusa, Louisiana, a small city that is home to about 10,000 people. Bogalusa sits along the Pearl River, which separates Mississippi and Louisiana, the perfect spot for a last-minute winter vacation.

Lake Isabel is a quick drive from Louisiana's largest city, New Orleans, which has lots of great things to do on a visit. The lake is less than 60 miles northeast of its Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), a major airport that receives nonstop flights from cities all over the United States. It's also easy to reach Lake Isabel from Gulfport, Mississippi. Though its Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) doesn't have as many direct flights, it is a Southern U.S. destination for a fun and affordable vacation.

Lake Isabel opens for the season in April. When you arrive, you'll find a dirt road lined with trees, and there isn't a view of the lake right away. Despite knowing what is ahead, you'll still be shocked when you first see the lake. With its sand dunes, powdery sand, and calm water, this does not look like a lake you would expect to find on a farm. Lake Isabel looks like a beach on a Caribbean island.

As you walk across the beach, you can start searching for your perfect spot. Spread out a blanket and stick an umbrella in the sand or claim a couple of turquoise Adirondack chairs at the edge of the water. Lime-green kayaks (with life jackets) are lined up nearby, while a quick swim will bring you out to the diving platform. It is going to be a warm, sunny beach day.

To visit Lake Isabel, you must purchase all-inclusive day passes online. To ensure the lake remains a safe and peaceful spot, the owner of Lake Isabel Farm has limited the number of visitors to 100 people each day, so you will want to plan in advance. Beach day tickets are available on Saturdays and Sundays, with additional weekdays and holidays sometimes added. Adult passes (ages 13 and up) are $49, while children and seniors are $35 (children under age 3 are free). Three solar-powered cabanas are also available for groups that include 15 or more adults.

Though you'll undoubtedly spend most of your time in the water at Lake Isabel, there are plenty of land-based activities when you need a break. Farther down the beach, you'll find a beach volleyball court and lawn games if you are feeling competitive. There are also propane grills stocked with utensils. Just be sure to pack a cooler full of food and drinks to have a barbecue.

In the distance, you might see a few fishers on the opposite side of the lake. As long as you stay away from the busy beach and bring your own pole and bait, you can cast for bass and catfish in Lake Isabel. There's also a path around the edge of the lake. Aside from the fishers, you might also see birds and ducks along this three-mile nature trail. It's where the lake truly feels like an undiscovered spot.

Beach days at Lake Isabel currently end just after sunset. Eventually, the owner has big plans to turn Lake Isabel Farm into an eco-friendly, overnight destination, where you'll be able to rent houses, host events, and eat fresh-from-the-farm dinners around the lake. In the meantime, you can head into Bogalusa, down to Covington, or even back to New Orleans for the night. Though you'll be excited to share your day's adventure, don't be surprised if you receive quizzical looks when talking about it — you probably wouldn't have believed that there's a private beach with turquoise water that far from the coast either.