Cameron Parish

This administrative region spans the southwestern corner of Louisiana and is the largest of its kind in the state by area. The landscape is shaped by wetlands, coastal bayous, and marshland that extends toward the Gulf of Mexico.

The region was established in 1870 from parts of Calcasieu and Vermilion and named after Simon Cameron, Lincoln's first secretary of war. Its formation followed the restoration of local government structures after the Civil War.

Indigenous Atakapa and Choctaw peoples first inhabited this region before French colonizers arrived. Later, Acadian refugees settled along the coast and shaped the local way of life.

The region is sparsely populated with only a few towns and long stretches of natural landscape. Visitors should expect limited services and longer driving times between communities.

Despite its vast land area, this region has one of the smallest populations in the state, making it one of Louisiana's most isolated places. This emptiness preserves large sections of original swamp and marshland ecosystems.

Location: Louisiana

Inception: 1870

Capital city: Cameron

Shares border with: Jefferson Davis Parish, Orange County, Calcasieu Parish, Vermilion Parish, Jefferson County

Website: http://cameronparish.com

GPS coordinates: 29.85000,-93.20000

Latest update: December 20, 2025 13:19