Cameron

 The tiny southwest Louisiana community of Cameron is a bit of an anomaly. The town is not quite Cajun territory, and it’s not much like the uplands of the northern country near Shreveport and Monroe. Cameron, actually, is the closest thing in southwest Louisiana you’ll find to a beach town. Located on the Gulf of Mexico just 30 miles east of the Texas state line, Cameron is a must-stop spot along the Creole Nature Trail, a 180-mile-long series of roads that showcases some of south Louisiana’s best scenery. Ten miles west of Cameron (also on the Creole Nature Trail) is Holly Beach, a crabbing and sunbathing destination for locals and out-of-towners alike. Don’t expect crowds here, as it’s one of Louisiana’s lesser-known spots, but do expect to see long stretches of brown sandy beaches.