The Absolute Best Camping Near New Orleans

If you are visiting New Orleans, Louisiana, and want to experience everything there is to see and do in the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and the surrounding area, you will probably want to set aside several days to see it all. Instead of staying at a hotel or resort, there are plenty of amazing campgrounds near New Orleans with various options. From luxury waterfront RV sites to primitive backcountry camping, there is something for everyone. Read on for the absolute best camping near New Orleans.

1) New Orleans RV Resort and Marina

If you want to stay close to the French Quarter and on the lake, the New Orleans RV Resort and Marina is the place to stay. It is located on Lake Pontchartrain, a brackish estuary connecting to the Gulf of Mexico. It is no secret that due to the mix of fresh and saltwater, there is an enormous mix of fish for some of the best fishing in Louisiana. Speckled Trout are a favorite, but you can also catch catfish, redfish, and bull sharks (depending on the time of year).

The RV Resort has all the amenities of a resort, but you can have the comfort of your own camper. There is a swimming pool, hot tub, bar, and grill right on the premises, and a marina with boat slips where you can keep your boat after a day on the lake. The campsites have full hookups; some are waterfront sites with built-in patios. You can also rent villas, including 3 floating villas docked right offshore. You can see why the New Orleans RV Resort and Marina is one of the absolute best places to camp near New Orleans.

2) Bayou Segnette State Park Campground

Another great campground near New Orleans but also near a lake is Bayou Segnette State Park. It is located about 15 minutes SW of downtown New Orleans, just over the Mississippi River. The fishing on Lake Cataouatche is also first class, with an option to fish for saltwater or freshwater fish from the boat launch area. Some popular catches are bass, catfish, bream, and redfish. Within the park, you can also hike one of the many trails through the marshland and swamps, where you have to keep your eyes peeled for alligators.

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The campground area has 98 RVs or tent sites, with all the sites having water and electricity. There is a wave pool and playground for fun with the kids and a group shelter for family gatherings. All campsites are centrally located and close to all the amenities.

3) New Orleans KOA Holiday

North of the Mississippi River and west of downtown is a nice KOA Campground resort for RVs and Tent camping. It is one of the absolute best places to camp near New Orleans because it is close to the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and the Mississippi River. You can hike and bike along the Mississippi River Trail for miles. Keep an eye out for some wildlife that lives along the shores of the Mississippi, including beavers, otters, and muskrats.

The campground has nice fenced-in sites for privacy, with sites for RVs and tents. There are also two cabins available to rent. You can enjoy the swimming pool, planned activities, and the Kamp K9 for your pets. A great central location for all the activities in the “Big Easy.”

4) French Quarter RV Resort

For one of the closest RV parks to the French Quarters, the French Quarter RV Resort is an excellent option. This upscale RV resort is only a few blocks from the French Quarter for easy access to the nightlife and all the restaurants and shops. A beautiful gazebo is next to the outdoor patio with a swimming pool and hot tub. Although you are right in the city, plenty of trees and landscaping give it a natural feeling.

There are 52 large paved sites with full hookups and cable TV. There is a clubhouse with a fitness center, business office, and laundry facility—an excellent choice as a home base for exploring New Orleans.

5) St. Bernard State Park Campground

A little further out, but still one of the absolute best places to camp near New Orleans is the St. Bernard State Park Campground. This is your classic camping experience with wooded campsites and a long nature trail right in the park. Great for backpacking, hiking, and mountain biking. The swamps and marshes along the trail are popular for birding, with sightings of herons, egrets, and ibises being common. There are several man-made lagoons in the park for kayak or canoe exploration.

The campground has 51 RVs and tents campsites with sites spaced nicely from your neighbors for more privacy. Each site has electricity and water, and some have sewers as well. There are picnic tables and fire rings at each site so you can kick back and relax around the campfire before turning in for the night. A great place to make some classic camping memories!

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