When you’re headed out for a family vacation or even a personal getaway, you want to be sure that you know your options before you head out. This is a few of the best campsites you can head to in Louisiana all while experiencing the love of the South.
Louisiana is known for its cooking, as well as New Orleans, but there is so much more to this beautiful state that you may not even know yet! That’s why I’m here to share with you some of the things you should check out when you’re there.
In this article, I will be listing the activities, as well as if this is considered a more rustic/primitive campsite or if it’s something you can rent a cabin at or so forth, as well as the city it’s found in. This will help you decide if it’s the right place for you and your family or if you’d like something else! So, let’s begin.
1. Fontainebleau State Park
- Mandeville, LA
- Park
- Cabins or Tents
- Beach
- Nature Trail
- Bird Watching
- Cycling, Hiking, In-line skating
The interesting thing about Fontainebleau is the fact that it used to be a sugar plantation! There is an old railroad track that runs through the park, which provides chances for outdoor activities.
Besides being on Lake Pontchartrain, there is a lovely beach that you can choose to go and relax on. If you’re lucky, you can see all the ships that are traveling along the lakes.
That’s not the only thing that you can see here though, there are over 400 different species of birds that you can search for.
Also on the nature trail, there are some signs along the way that let you know what’s surrounding you. There’s really a good chance to be able to get enveloped in nature.
2. Fairview-Riverside State Park
- Madisonville, LA
- Park
- Cabins, RVs, and tents
- Boating and Fishing on Tchefuncte River
- Otis House
- Close to public boat launch
One of the more interesting parts about this park is the fact that there is a giant house on the site, this is known as the Otis house. This home was built by a 19th-century entrepreneur named William Jay.
This home is open for tours. As you walk through the home, you’ll be able to see artifacts that are from the 1880s all the way until the 1930s. You’re able to learn how this house fits into Madisonville, as well as Louisiana history as a whole.
If the house is something that you’re not really interested in, don’t worry, there’s still a park for you to explore and check out with your family. You can choose to relax on the river or splash around for some fun.
There is also a nature trail that will take you straight to the river. If you’re interested in fishing or crabbing, this is definitely a great place to do so. Fairview-Riverside definitely has something for everyone.
3. Bayou Bodcau Dam & Reservoir
- Bellevue, LA
- Rustic
- 33,500 acres of land for recreational purposes
- Hunting/Fishing
- Boating, Hiking, Biking, Horseback riding
- Lots of outdoor activities
This is definitely a camp that those who are more interested in going outside and just exploring the rustic world around them will enjoy.
With the multiple options in regards to what you can do outside, it’s definitely going to have something to do every day.
You even have the option to be able to go canoeing through a cypress swamp and see the sights. Or, if you’re more for the family-oriented time, you can camp together, as well as
Don’t be afraid to come and get your nature on, this is one of the best places that you can come to. There is lots of
4. Forest River Retreat
- Folsom, LA
- Rustic
- Hiking, Horseback Riding, Fishing
- Kitchen/picnic table available
- Pet-friendly
- Close to the river
This is definitely a more primitive style of camping. This campsite is located within 20+ acres of thick woods, for miles and miles.
There is a chance to be able to see a lot of wildlife as well. There has been deer, wild hogs, foxes, coyotes, squirrels, owls, hawks, turkeys, and more that have been seen here.
Being about a mile away from the river isn’t too bad. You get to walk through the scenery and really get wrapped up within it.
I think that’s the best experience that you can have when you’re camping. When all you can hear is nature and breathe in the smell of the world.
Be careful when you’re headed to the river though, you’ll have to walk through a little bit of mushy ground, as well as to walk across creeks and some small rivers. It’s all part of the adventure and the memories that will stick with you till the end.
5. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
- Robert, LA
- Park
- Cabin, Tent, RV sites
- Many options for activities
- Paddleboat rentals
- Waterpark
There is a lot of things that people can do here at this campsite. This has been quite the place for families to come to in Lousiana. This has been the #1 location for families to come for 34 years.
This is definitely one of the less camp-like parks. It’s definitely for a fun getaway, not that that’s a bad thing. This is just something that you have to be aware of when you’re going to head to this camp.
There are lots of things to do on the water; canoe, kayak, paddleboat, fishing and more. There are so many things that you can do here, there are lots of pools as well. This is definitely going to be a hit for the kids.
6. Indian Creek Campground and RV Park
- Independence, LA
- Rustic
- Cabin, RVs, and tent sites
- Along the Natalbany River
- Multiple outdoor activities and options
- Bathhouse/ Laundry room
- Hiking/Biking trails
This is definitely one of the more leisurely campsites that you can go to. You can sit back and relax surrounded by the pines, or you can choose to head out and see what’s around the area.
New Orleans is about 65 miles away from this campsite, which isn’t too bad. But there is also the option for Alligator farms, plantation tours, and swamp tours.
Besides New Orleans, there are a few other places that are around such as Baton Rouge, Ponchatoula, as well as Global Wildlife Tours.
If you’re looking to play some games with your family to just get some exercise, you can play basketball, volleyball, or horseshoes even!
You can head for a swim in the pool, or lounge on the sun deck. There’s also the option to go into the Bayou pond with a canoe or paddle boat.
7. Bayou Segnette State Park
- Westwego, LA
- Park
- Water/electrical hookups
- Saltwater and Freshwater fishing
- Cabins and Tents
- Hiking
To get to this site, you just have to drive about half an hour across the Mississippi River from New Orleans.
This park has so many things that you can do such as; boating, fishing, canoeing, hiking, picnicking, swimming in the wave pool and checking out nature.
Due to the interesting placement of this park, there are a lot of chances to go and check out the nature that’s around. There are both swamps and marshlands where you can see the different wildlife, trees, and plants. There’s something for everyone of all ages here.
There’s also a 2.8-mile nature trail that you can take around the park to just get a sense of the area around you and just enjoy your time with nature.
With a Birder’s Guide to Louisiana, you can also check out what birds are along the trail.
8. Jimmie Davis State Park
- Chatham, LA
- Park
- Cabin, Lodge, RV, primitive sites
- Swimming
- On-site pool and reservoir
- Located on Caney Lake
- Biking/hiking trails
Set on a peninsula at Caney Lake, there’s a lot you can do as you spend your trip at Jimmie Davis State Park. A lot of cyclists like to come to this park and use it as their starting point for biking through North Louisiana.
There’s also the option to play on the water playgrounds that are around or swim in either the on-site pool or dip into the reservoir. The choice is yours.
There is also a wide variety of birds that come through this area, so if you’re into bird watching, this is a good place to take your binoculars.
9. Kisatchie Ranger District Wilderness Area
- Louisiana
- Rustic
- Tent camping only
- Rugged terrain
- Backpacking
- Horseback riding
- Lovely nature scenery
This didn’t really give a specific location for where this site was, but it is in Louisiana. If you were to go here you can find 8,700 acres of forest, and a little bit of rough terrain as well as steep.
This is an undeveloped area, so if you’re really into going wild, this would be one of the best places that you could go. As you hike around, you may be able to see some of the intriguing natural sites that are around.
Flat-topped mesas, sandstone bluffs, outcroppings, and different types of forest are all things that you can search for here.
You can check out the wildlife that’s around when you’re moving through the area. But be sure to be careful, as this is some of the most rugged and steep
Personally, if I was headed to Louisiana soon, this would be at the top of my list, mostly because I like exploring and climbing and just coming home covered in dust. There’s something satisfying about that feeling in my head.
10. Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
- Near St. Martinville, LA
- Campsite
- Nature trails
- Historic areas to explore nearby
- on the Atchafalaya Basin
This site is one that people tend to come to a lot, in fact, the Boy Scouts actually are doing an event here coming up. So, they kindly announce that on their website so you know.
If you rent a cabin, it’s provided with pots, basic kitchen utensils, bed linen, and pillows. Do, in my opinion, this can be on the more “
If you’re planning on bringing your dog, unfortunately, they aren’t allowed in any buildings which include cabins and lodges. You may have to find someone to take care of your animals before you head off to this site.
There are waterfront cabins, a boat dock, canoe and nature trails that are all around. If you’re also a history buff, this park is close to the city of St. Martinville as well as Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site. So you can learn some things while you’re enjoying nature.
11. Palmetto Island State Park
- Abbeville, LA
- Cabins, RVs and Tents
- Park
- Water playground
- Bathhouse
- Fishing/boating
- Visitor Center
This park is located on the Vermillion River and is said to give you the South Louisiana outdoors experience. With the opportunity to be able to go fishing, you can relax on the river, or you can go to the lagoons and canoe or kayak around and look at nature and see what you can find there.
The big things that they are really talking about with this park is the 6 cabins that they provide. They are nestled among the trees and include fireplaces for those extra chilly evenings.
But you can also go out and sit on the screened porch, listening to the sounds of the world fade from your ears and replace it with crickets, frogs, and whatever else is there.
Ready. Set. Camp!
As you can see, there are quite a few options if you’re going to head to Louisiana for a camping trip. Obviously, these aren’t all the sites that you can head to in this state, but they are a few suggestions of ones that you can make memories at and remember for the rest of your life.
When I would go camping with my family, it was definitely something that I still hold dear and remember to this day.
We camped in Washington and there were so many beautiful things. We went on a trail ride, saw some mice, and just enjoyed each other’s company and nature.
If you’re not necessarily sure what kind of person you would be when going out camping, you can start with something simple. You don’t necessarily have to start off straight out tent camping.
Take your time to get used to nature if you’re not one who goes out much. You won’t regret it.
Being able to lay outside and look up, seeing all the stars and counting how many satellites or shooting stars you can see has always been one of my favorite camping memories. So take a chance and get out there and explore. Be an adventurer.
Whether you’re someone who prefers sleeping under the stars or under a roof, give camping a chance. There’s a niche for everyone and you can still enjoy all the things the others do in a way that will impact you.
If you’re taking your kids out for the first time, don’t forget to create those good memories.
Some days it may be hard, but it’s worth it in the end. Connect with the world around you, with nature, with the earth. It’s an incredible experience.
Related Questions:
What are some of the other attractions that are around Louisiana? Something that you can check out is New Orleans. That’s a place that’s famous for it’s Bourbon Street as well as the type of jazz music they have there. If you’re interested in some of the Cajun history, head over to Lafayette and check out the Cajun history and Hillard Art Museum.
What is Louisiana famous for? Louisiana is quite famous for the festivals that they hold. For instance, one of the biggest festivals that occurs is known as Mardi Gras. There are other festivals that happen as well, such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Voodoo Experience, and Bayou Country Superfest just to name a few.
