Equestrian camping near Abita Springs, Louisiana offers several options within reasonable driving distance. The terrain consists primarily of flat to gently rolling woodland with sandy loam soil that drains relatively well after rainfall. Sites typically range from 30-90 feet in elevation above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 80-95°F and high humidity from May through September.
What to do
Creek swimming and fishing: Bogue Chitto State Park features multiple water features including creeks perfect for summer recreation. According to Cat R., "Our campsite #101 was right on one of the many lakes in the park. Not much room, but nice enough for looking at the alligators and fishing." The park also offers tubing during warmer months.
Wildlife viewing: Bogue Chitto State Park provides excellent opportunities to see native wildlife. Tiffany M. notes, "We saw plenty of wildlife such as turkey, deer, rabbits, turtles, alligators and birds. Plenty of trails for hiking and biking. The river offers a nice swimming hole during the summer."
Farm animal interaction: Creekside Farm Co. offers a unique experience with their small farm. As Taylor C. mentions, "They have tons of vegetation to look at, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and peacocks. There's a small fishing pond too. You can follow the trail around the back of the pond and see the bunker and balcony."
What campers like
Equestrian-friendly amenities: Horse enthusiasts appreciate dedicated spaces at Sweetwater Campground RV Ranch. Charmon K. shares: "Enjoyed my time here. Peaceful setting with a pool! Wagon ride for kids, pond, ducks, mule was cute!" The ranch provides access to trails suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.
Clean facilities: Sweetwater Campground RV Ranch maintains well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. While specific bathroom reviews are limited, the overall maintenance receives positive feedback, with one reviewer noting the "peaceful setting" of the grounds.
Well-maintained grounds: James L. from Bogue Chitto State Park reports: "Very clean, well kept state park. Hiking trails, equestrian trails, tubing, camping... they've got it all. Campsites are neat, well maintained. We saw maintenance staff checking things several time per day."
What you should know
Wildlife precautions: Alligators are common in water features at several parks. Larry notes at Bogue Chitto: "This place is crawling with gators in the lower portion on the lakes. Hey this is south Louisiana." Campers should maintain a safe distance and never feed wildlife.
Site drainage considerations: Many campsites can become muddy after rainfall. At Land-O-Pines Family Campground, David B. observed: "The streets and sites are gravel and can get a little muddy in spots after a rain. The park was clean and quiet, and the staff was friendly."
Cell service variation: Connectivity varies significantly between parks. At Bogue Chitto State Park, Tiffany M. reports: "WiFi worked good enough. Verizon cell service worked well in most areas of the park." Signal strength typically decreases in more remote camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Several campgrounds offer water features specifically designed for families. According to Nicole R. at Land-O-Pines, "Older campground with small pool and older water slide but very homey. Shades and grass and dirt roads. Awesome creek that the kids have a blast in."
Seasonal celebrations: Holiday weekends feature special programming for children at many campgrounds. David D. shares about Land-O-Pines: "Great site..we went for Halloween weekend and there were a lot of activities and trick or treating for the kids..great campsite great memories."
Educational farm experiences: Creekside Farm Co. offers hands-on farm activities. Emily T. mentions: "Alicia was a lovely host and we had a great time at the biscuit class in the morning, which included free snuggles with her pups." The farm limits camper numbers, creating a more intimate experience.
Tips from RVers
Approach routes: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At New Orleans RV Resort & Marina, Stuart K. advises: "2 roadways to enter/exit resort. A car can drive toward north but some potholes would not advise RV on road toward lake pontchaitrain."
Site selection: When booking at Bogue Chitto State Park, Reagan S. recommends: "site 126 relaxing stream front site nice wooden patio firepit and bbq. Full hookup in uperlanls just water and electric in bottomland." Choose based on your hookup requirements and proximity to water features.
Hookup details: At Clearwater RV Park, amenities include full hookups with 50-amp service. Ashlyn B. appreciates the thoughtful extras: "We had a great time especially loved the fire ring we had on our lot which was great to have during the cold weather. Most of the other campgrounds I've been to haven't had any kind of fire rings."
