By Kezia Kamenetz|Updated on May 09, 2024(Originally published April 12, 2023)
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Kezia Kamenetz
Author
Kezia Kamenetz is a native to southern Louisiana and lives in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans currently. When not writing about all the amazing things to be found in her state, her central passion is dreams and the wisdom they can offer, which you can learn more about by visiting KeziaVida.com
They don’t call Louisiana “Sportsman’s Paradise” for nothing. We have some of the most beautiful fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities in the nation. You’ll also find some of the best places to camp in Louisiana. Here are 10 spots from all over the state that are sure to get you itching to enjoy the best camping in Louisiana!
On the shore of one of the nation’s largest man-made reservoirs, the pristine waters of North Toledo Bend offer 900 acres for camping, canoeing, fishing, and biking. Some of the best camping in Louisiana, you'll find fully equipped campsites, as well as fully furnished, climate-controlled cabins, for rent. Learn more about North Toledo Bend State Park.
Near Ville Platte, LA, Chicot State Park offers miles of hiking trails and primitive campsites along the beautiful Lake Chicot. Visitors can also rent cabins on the water and paddle with canoes available to rent on-site. The nearby Louisiana State Arboretum offers guided educational hikes to visitors. Get more information about Chicot State Park and one of the best places to camp near me in Louisiana.
For the cheapest beach vacation around, opt for a campout at Grand Isle State Park and wake up with the Gulf of Mexico lapping at your (tent) door. Aside from being one of the best campgrounds in Louisiana, it's also a great spot for bird lovers as it's home to many migrating birds from around the world. Read more about what camping at Grand Isle State Park is like.
A 5,000-acre reservoir anchors this park, which offers cabins, lodges, primitive campsites, and improved campsites to visitors for minimal fees. There is also swimming available in the reservoir and an on-site pool. This park is known for its freshwater fishing. Learn more about Jimmie Davis State Park.
Campgrounds abound in this 8,700-acre wilderness area that offers some of the most amazing rolling hills, bluffs, and sandy bottomland landscapes in Louisiana. The Dogwood Campground in the ranger district features some of the best camping in Louisiana with sites for RVs, trailers, tents, and groups, as well as drinking water and fire pits. Explore more about the Kisatchie National Forest.
6. Lorrain Park
Lorrain Parish Park, 7803 Lorrain Rd, Hayes, LA 70646, USA
East of Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish, this small campground offers a boat launch, a number of improved campsites, and the picturesque Lorrain Bridge, which is currently on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the best places to camp in Louisiana, here, you'll be in the perfect position to explore all that the Creole Nature Trail has to offer. Get the most up-to-date information about Lorrain Park.
Numerous camping opportunities are available in this beautiful area, including primitive sites throughout the Wildlife Management Area as well as well-endowed RV campgrounds that include such amenities as mini-golf and hot tubs. Learn more about the Atchafalaya River Basin.
Nestled around a 2,700-acre reservoir, this state park is popular with anglers all year round seeking largemouth bass, blue gill, and channel catfish. Visitors can also enjoy checking out the local wildlife—which can include the Louisiana black bear! An exciting nearby day trip is to Poverty Point Historic Site, one of the most significant archeological sites in the country.
One of the best bass lakes around, this park offers a wide array of camping facilities and recreational activities, including an 18-hole disc golf course. Rent a boat or a canoe and enjoy the pristine waters here while staying at one of the best campgrounds in Louisiana. Find out more about Lake Bistineau State Park.
This is a newly developed site for those wanting to explore the Tunica Hills area NW of St. Francisville, LA. It is a privately run campground and offers improved tent camping sites, RV sites, and cabins. It is some of the best camping in Louisiana and is conveniently located near the Clark Creek Nature Area, where Tunica Hills Waterfalls can be found. Learn more about staying at Tunica Hills Campground.
Which of these spots is your favorite? What do you think are the best campgrounds in Louisiana? Let us know about the best camping in Louisiana that you have experienced with a comment!
Breton Wildlife Refuge: Located on the Gulf of Mexico, this 13,000-acre area was established in 1904 by President Theodore Roosevelt. Due to its proximity to the water, it has become an ideal spot for a variety of interesting birds, like piping plovers and brown pelicans.
Honey Island Swamp: You’ll find this 70,000-acre piece of marshland in St. Tammany Parish. It’s home to an assortment of unique plants and wildlife. Book a tour of the area and see if you can spot any bears, pigs, or alligators along the way.
What are the best waterfalls in Louisiana?
Now that you’ve learned about the best places to camp in Louisiana, take a gander at some of the best waterfalls in Louisiana:
Woodriff Falls: You’ll find this waterfall located in Francisville. Aside from the beauty of the water itself, this waterfall is particularly interesting because you can get behind it.
Rock Falls: This 20-foot waterfall is located off Big Creek Nature Trail in Catahoula Parish. While 20 feet might sound pretty short, this is actually the biggest waterfall in the state.
Little Bayou Pierre Cascade: Although this waterfall is very short at only five feet, there are several rock shelves for the water to flow down, making for a beautiful site in Natchitoches Parish.
Fontainebleau State Park: This 2,800-acre park lies on Lake Pontchartrain’s north shore, making it a great spot to watch the waters and sky as well as boat and fish. There are also some hiking trails and an old sugar mill.
Fairview-Riverside State Park: Located in Madisonville, this 99-acre park has access to the Tchefuncte River, which provides fishing and boating opportunities. You can also check out the nature trail, and the historic Otis House.
Lake Claiborne State Park: While there is much to do in this 6,400-acre park in Homer, it is most popularly known for its two disc golf courses. You can also swim, boat, and fish on the lake as well as explore the area through more than 10 miles of trails.