The campgrounds near Abita Springs feature terrain ranging from pine forests to riverside settings. Most sites sit at around 26 feet above sea level, keeping campers drier than many other Louisiana locations. Winter temperatures typically drop to 40-45°F at night, while spring and fall offer 70-80°F days with lower humidity than summer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Pearl River WMA offers primitive camping with convenient water access for anglers. "There's lots to do and see in this state park, but it wasn't really our thing, so we likely won't be back," notes one camper at Fontainebleau State Park Campground, though many appreciate the fishing opportunities along the lakeshore.
Biking trails: Paved trails connect camping areas to wider trail networks. "We enjoyed riding our bikes around the campground and the trails in the park. We also took the trace to town and rode along the lake," shares a visitor to Fontainebleau State Park Campground. Many trails remain accessible year-round due to the higher elevation.
Water recreation: Beyond swimming, campers can enjoy various water activities. At Sun Outdoors New Orleans North Shore, "This resort is a nice resort offering lots of amenities. All the sites are concrete pad which makes its very hot in summer and feels sorta like a parking lot at times."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "We love this campground cause has lots of wildlife," mentions a visitor at Fontainebleau State Park Campground. Smart raccoons frequent many sites, and birds are abundant year-round.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses rank high for campers. At Fairview-Riverside State Park, "Bathrooms are decent but lights are motion censored so can turn off on you while you are in the shower." Most campgrounds offer shower facilities with varying levels of maintenance.
Water features: Lakes and splash areas provide relief during warmer months. "The beach is lovely and the water felt great. There is also a splash pad," notes a camper at Fontainebleau State Park Campground. Several parks maintain swimming areas from April through October.
What you should know
Site conditions: Some campgrounds struggle with drainage issues after rainfall. At Fairview-Riverside State Park, "They have a water problem. It doesn't take much rain to have standing water in many sites. Lots of the pads are old and narrow. You find yourself stepping out your coach into sloppy mud."
Reservation requirements: Popular times fill quickly, especially for holiday weekends. At Adventures RV Resort, "Plan ahead, they do 3 weekends of Halloween in a row and they book crazy fast (we booked a full year in advance)."
Permit considerations: Some areas require permits for overnight stays. At Pearl River WMA - Crawford Landing, "It is Louisiana WMA. No pay required, but got LDWF WMA app to check in to this spot, really easy to do." The permit system helps manage access during hunting seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Holiday events: Several campgrounds host special activities during holidays. "We go every year for Halloween, run down but still fun for kids to trick or treat. Cabins are decent if have friends that need someplace to stay," shares a visitor to Adventures RV Resort.
Water parks: Campgrounds with water attractions offer additional entertainment options. "The pools are nice it has a nice splash pad a big jump pad open all the time has a water slide up front $5 per hour and you use a mat to go down it's fiberglass," notes a camper at Adventures RV Resort.
Playground access: Many sites include dedicated play areas. At Land-O-Pines Family Campground, "There is a lot of fun things to do for the whole family, from swimming, water slide to playing bingo and a lot more." Most family-friendly parks maintain playgrounds with equipment suitable for various age groups.
Tips from RVers
Pad sizes: Site dimensions vary significantly between parks. "Be careful booking a pull thru site if your unit is over 25', they're horseshoe shaped. We could not fit on a pull thru site, and Betty at the entrance was awesome and found us the perfect back-in site that made our stay amazing!" advises an RVer at Fontainebleau State Park Campground.
Levelness challenges: Many sites require adjustment blocks for proper leveling. "The grade on some sites are too much for class A coaches. But if the weather is good and you get a good pad, it's a beautiful campground," explains a visitor to Fairview-Riverside State Park.
Connectivity options: Cell coverage varies by provider. "AT&T had 2 bars of LTE and Verizon full bars of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 30.8 Mbps down, 3.6 Mbps up. Verizon Speedtest: 4.5 Mbps down, 11.8 Mbps up. WiFi available, but did not use. Required a login," reports an RVer at Land-O-Pines Family Campground.
