RV camping in Louisiana is a great way to see the historic buildings and atmospheric bayous of the South. This guide can help you plan your own RV road trip to the state. You’ll find places to camp, things to see, what to pack, and much more below.
- Finding Campgrounds
- Preparing for RV Camping
- Considerations for Camping in Louisiana
- Planning Your Itinerary
- Exploring Outdoor Activities
- Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions
- Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in Louisiana
Finding Campgrounds
Louisiana is home to a variety of campgrounds, including luxury campgrounds, state park campgrounds, and even campgrounds in the middle of the city. No matter your camping style, you’ll find a great place to stay.
Exploring Public Campgrounds in Louisiana
Public campgrounds are a wonderful camping option, and tend to be less expensive than private. In Louisiana, these campgrounds include state parks as well as national forest camping.
National Forest Camping
Kisatchie National Forest is the perfect place to escape into nature while in Louisiana. This beautiful forest provides all kinds of amazing outdoor recreation opportunities. Hiking is popular throughout the forest and fishing is plentiful. You’ll also find a lot of great camping spots in the forest.
One of the best places to go RV camping in Kisatchie National Forest is Valentine Lake Recreation Complex. Here, you’ll find 14 campsites, great fishing, access to trails, and more.
State Park Camping
Louisiana state parks are also a popular option for campers. These parks are just lovely and some have upscale amenities in their campgrounds. Best of all, some of the state parks are very near area attractions, meaning you can retreat to nature while still seeing the sights.
Our favorite Louisiana state park for camping is Bayou Segnette State Park. This park is located just outside New Orleans and features some beautiful wetlands with walking paths throughout, as well as a wave pool and opportunities for boating and fishing. The campground features partial hookup sites, a dump station, a clean boathouse, and even laundry facilities.
Exploring Private Campgrounds and RV Parks
Private campgrounds are another great option when RV camping in Louisiana. They provide a variety of options, from simple campgrounds with nothing more than a dump station to impressive glamping resorts. This makes finding the perfect Louisiana campground a cinch.
Cajun Palms RV Resort in Henderson is one of our favorite RV parks in the state. This place offers guests cable TV, an onsite store, a resort-style pool, a bar, a workout facility, an arcade, and more. It’s a truly relaxing place to stay.
Another great option? Three Oaks and a Pine RV Park, which is located just five miles from the famous French Quarter. This park features full-hookup sites, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, and a laundry room. The public transportation right across the street is pretty awesome as well!
Boondocking in Louisiana
Those who like to disappear into nature (or want to save money) should look into Louisiana boondocking. While there isn’t a ton of boondocking in the state, there are a few choice areas.
Our favorite option? Pearson Camp in Kisatchie National Forest. This is a designated Hunter’s Camp, but can be used by anyone. Vault toilets are the only amenity, but it is secluded and the price can’t be beat!
Preparing for RV Camping
Along with a prime campground spot, you’ll need a comfy RV for your trip. If you already have your own RV, you’re likely all set. If not, you will want to grab a Louisiana RV rental for the trip.
Choosing the Right RV for Your Needs
Not sure what you’re looking for in an RV? We get it; choosing a rig can be a bit overwhelming. The best thing to do at the start is to narrow down your choices based on your needs.
Consider whether you’d rather drive your rig or have it delivered. If you wish to drive, do you have the ability to tow a trailer, or will a motorhome be necessary? Just answering these few questions will narrow your options significantly.
From there, think about what size you’d like your RV to be, keeping in mind the size of your campsite and the size of your travel party. Think about what sorts of floor plans might work and how many sleeping spaces you need. Of course, price, amenities, and items included in the rental should also be considered.
Packing Essentials for a Successful Trip
Once you have your RV picked out, it’s time to think about what you should pack. Camping requires a whole lot more gear than a typical vacation. We have compiled packing lists for a variety of types of RV camping trips to help you get started.
Considerations for Camping in Louisiana
Like every other state, Louisiana has its own RV driving laws. Although many laws are the same from state to state, it’s a good idea to know Louisiana’s specific laws before driving there.
No rig in the state may exceed 65 feet in total length. Trailers must be 30 feet or shorter, and motorhomes can’t be more than 45 feet long. 8.5 feet is the maximum width for all RVs, and 13.5 feet is the maximum height. Triple towing is allowed, but only if the total length is 70 feet or less.
Trailers must have a safety chain if they’re over 6,000 pounds, and a breakaway switch if they’re over 3,000 pounds. Overnight parking is allowed in some state rest areas, but check signs to be sure.
Planning Your Itinerary
Now for the most fun part: planning your itinerary. We love the variety of awesome things to do in Louisiana, and we’re betting you will too. Whether you’re looking to explore New Orleans and all it has to offer or you want to head out into nature, there is something for you.
Features and Attractions in Louisiana
One of our favorite ways to start any trip is by taking a scenic drive. This allows us to take in the sights and get acquainted with the new area. The Bayou Teche National Scenic Byway, the Cane River National Heritage Trail Scenic Byway, and the Boom or Bust National Scenic Byway are all wonderful choices for a pretty drive.
Whether you see them while out on your drive or another time, Louisiana landmarks should also be part of your plan. Make time for the James H. Dillard House, the Galilee House, or the George Washington Gable House if you’re in the NOLA area, and you can check out the USS Kidd if you’re in Baton Rouge.
Some of the best landmarks in any state are the NPS sites. In Louisiana, we recommend checking out the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, Poverty Point National Monument, and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.
Festivals, Fairs, and Events in Louisiana
What about adding an event into the mix for even more fun? Louisiana has a variety of awesome annual events to choose from. Some of the most popular events in Louisiana include Mardi Gras in NOLA (or pretty much any Mardi Gras celebration), the Louisiana Catfish Festival in Des Allemands, the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in Breaux Bridge, and the International Rice Festival in Crowley.
Exploring Outdoor Activities
There are plenty of opportunities to get outside as well. No matter what kinds of outdoor activities you prefer, you’ll find something to suit your fancy in Louisiana.
Hiking, Biking and Nature Trails
From simple walking paths to hiking and cycling trails, there are tons of great options for immersing yourself in Louisiana nature.
If you’re a hiker, we recommend trying one of the trails below:
- Bogue Chitto State Park Gorge Run Trail in Bogue Chitto State Park — Moderate
- Comite Park Trail in Comite River Park — Moderate
- Cane Bayou Trail in Fontainebleau State Park — Easy
- Driskill Mountain Trail in Bienville — Easy
- Audubon Park Loop in Audubon Park — Easy
The following trails are good for cyclists:
- Wild Azalea Trail in Kisatchie National Forest
- Boy Scout Road in Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
- Monkey Trail in Eddie D. Jones Park
- Sugar Cane Trail in Kisatchie National Forest
Fishing, Boating, and Water Activities
Louisiana has tons of great bodies of water, which means plenty of chances to swim, boat, fish, and more.
Louisiana has lots of good fishing spots including Caney Lake which is the place to go for largemouth bass, yellow bass, crappie, and bluegill. If you find yourself in northwest Louisiana, you can also try Caddo Lake in Caddo Lake State Park.
Looking for beaches in Louisiana? For a lake beach with onsite camping, head to South Toledo Bend State Park. Meanwhile, those who prefer an ocean beach might try Holly Beach along the Gulf Coast.
Finally, we must mention the state’s waterfalls. The Clark Creek Natural Area waterfalls are some of our favorites. We also love Rock Falls and St. Mary’s Falls in the J.C. Gilbert Wildlife Management Area.
Wildlife Viewing and Photography
We’ve already mentioned many of the state’s natural areas. Any one of these would be a fantastic place to see local flora and fauna. You could also check out Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, or Clack Bayou National Wildlife Refuge.
While you’re out, keep your eyes peeled for alligators, raccoons, bobcats, black bears, snakes, and many different kinds of birds.
Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions
If you’re traveling with kids, check out some of Louisiana’s family-friendly attractions. These can be found in Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and elsewhere in the state, and can include everything from historic sites to amusement parks.
Historical Sites and Museums
Roadschooling (or learning as you travel) is fun even if you can’t do it full-time. Why not try to squeeze a bit of education into your time in Louisiana?
Some of the best educational attractions the state has to offer are the aforementioned NPS sites. The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is perfect for music lovers of all ages, and Cane River Creole National Historical Park provides an awesome history lesson.
Museums also provide excellent learning opportunities while keeping things fun. Some of the best museums in Louisiana include:
- The National WWII Museum in New Orleans
- New Orleans Pharmacy Museum in New Orleans
- Whitney Plantation in Wallace
- Sci-Port Discovery Center in Shreveport
- Mardi Gras World in New Orleans
Amusement Park, Zoos, and Wildlife Refuges
Amusement parks are another excellent family attraction in Louisiana. We appreciate that everyone from the littlest toddlers to adults can enjoy amusement parks together. The best amusement parks in Louisiana are Dixie Landin’ and Blue Bayou in Baton Rouge, but all of them provide a good time.
We also highly recommend zoos for families traveling together. While in Louisiana, you’ll find the Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans, BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo in Baton Rouge, and the Shreveport Aquarium in Shreveport.
Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in Louisiana
You will want to ensure you are safe while RV camping in Louisiana. Packing a first aid kit is a good first step, and driving carefully will help as well. But you can take a few steps to be prepared for other dangers as well.
Weather Conditions and Natural Disaster Preparedness
In terms of severe weather, Louisiana can see anything from tornadoes to hurricanes to winter storms.
Downloading a couple of good weather apps and paying attention to push notifications will inform you of any impending storms. If a hurricane is headed your way, take warnings seriously and evacuate. If a tornado warning is issued, grab a radio, flashlight, and some food and water, then head to a tornado shelter.
You will also want to avoid parking in areas that are known to flood, as the state does see quite a bit of flooding.
Wildlife Encounters and Precautions
Keep an eye out for gators, bears, bobcats, and venomous snakes. Watch where you walk to avoid stepping on snakes, and if you come across one, back away slowly without making any sudden movements. If a snake bites you, be sure to seek medical help.
When it comes to gators, stay out of waters where they have been spotted. If you come across a gator, avoid startling them and back away slowly.
Bears and bobcats can generally be avoided by making plenty of noise as you hike to let them know you are there. If a bobcat does happen to be in your path, make noise to scare it away while backing away. If a bear is in your path, raise your arms to look big, back away slowly, and get your bear spray ready in case it charges.
Hopefully, this article has helped you to plan an exciting and possibly educational vacation RV camping in Louisiana. If you’re new to RV camping, be sure to check out our tips for first-timers.
