Camping in Abita Springs, Louisiana, offers access to riverfront locations including the Tchefuncte River and Pearl River system. The area maintains a subtropical climate with average summer temperatures around 90°F and mild winters rarely dropping below 40°F. Most campgrounds sit at elevations below 50 feet, contributing to higher humidity levels especially during summer months.
What to do
Water activities on the Tchefuncte River: At Fairview-Riverside State Park, campers can enjoy excellent fishing from the riverside boardwalk. "There is a beautiful boardwalk on the Tchefuncte River, though, with great fishing," notes Brandon R., who stayed at the park.
Biking on paved trails: Fontainebleau State Park provides access to dedicated bike paths for family outings. One camper reports, "Great paved bike trail that you can get to from the campground," and another mentions, "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."
Tubing and swimming: Bogue Chitto State Park offers river access for summer water recreation about 30 minutes from Abita Springs. "River tubing available. The grandkids loved the splash pad/water slide and easy access to the river," shares Therese A., highlighting the variety of water options for different ages.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Louisiana's natural areas provide excellent wildlife spotting chances. "We love this campground cause has lots of wildlife," reports one camper about Fontainebleau, while another mentions, "Tons of wildlife to be seen. The raccoons are smart, and not scared of humans."
What campers like
Spacious sites for privacy: Abita Springs RV Resort receives positive feedback for its layout. A camper notes, "Cabins are more private along the pond," while another mentions, "The camper spot I had was typical. Staff was very nice, great campground area to walk and enjoy."
Weekend activities and community events: Family-oriented campgrounds coordinate scheduled entertainment. At Land-O-Pines Family Campground, visitors appreciate organized activities: "There is a lot of fun things to do for the whole family, from swimming, water slide to playing bingo and a lot more." Another camper mentions, "We went for Halloween weekend and there were alot of activities and trick or treating for the kids."
Riverside camping spots: Waterfront sites remain popular among campers. "It's a nice quiet and clean park on the banks of the Tchefunte River just above Madisonville. 45 minutes from New Orleans," reports Dean and Dodie B. about Fairview-Riverside State Park. Another reviewer mentions, "some nice water front lots" at the same location.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain proper bathroom facilities. "The bathroom facilities at the campground were well maintained and cleaned," notes one camper about Fontainebleau State Park, while another appreciated that "bathrooms were heated" at Fairview-Riverside during colder months.
What you should know
Weather and standing water concerns: Low elevation means drainage issues at some sites. "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," cautions a reviewer at Fairview-Riverside State Park.
Wildlife interactions: Pearl River WMA and other campgrounds report active wildlife. One Fontainebleau camper warns, "A family of raccoons must have been fed by someone, though, as they had NO fear nor qualms of coming right up to our table end one evening!"
Site sizing variations: Pay attention to site dimensions when booking. Martha S. from Fontainebleau advises, "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."
Permit requirements: Some areas require proper documentation. At Pearl River WMA, "You must have a (free) permit on Louisiana's app LDWF WMA & sign in & out," according to Emely, who stayed at this free camping area.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Hidden Oaks Family Campground provides river access for families. "The campground has a river running through it making it a great option to go up river and kayak back down," mentions Shaun B., highlighting the river's recreational potential.
Halloween camping events: Multiple campgrounds host special Halloween weekends that appeal to families with children. "We go every year for Halloween, run down but still fun for kids to trick or treat," notes Nicole R. about one campground, while another camper shares, "On Saturday night they close the campground roads down for 2 hours and all the kids go trick or treating."
Playground access: Several campgrounds provide dedicated play spaces for children. Fontainebleau State Park includes "playgrounds and a beach," according to Michael B., providing additional entertainment options beyond hiking and camping.
Shade availability: Consider sun exposure when selecting sites. One camper advises, "Be mindful to choose a spot with lots of shade- we didn't and regretted it," about their Fairview-Riverside State Park experience, an important consideration for families camping in Louisiana's heat.
Tips from RVers
Site drainage and leveling: RVers should check site conditions, especially after rain. "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," notes a reviewer about Fairview-Riverside.
Full hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of services. "All sites are 30/50 amp, full hook-up, with wifi and cable. There are pull-thru and back-in sites. Sites, roads, and patios are paved and level and come with a picnic table and fire pit," details one RVer about a local resort.
Pet-friendly camping considerations: For those seeking pet friendly camping near Abita Springs, Louisiana, note site spacing and walking areas. At Abita Springs RV Resort, facilities are "pet-friendly with full hookup sites for RVs" and "the spacious layout gives dogs plenty of walking room."
Road and access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging navigation. As one RVer notes, "The road to the site was a bit narrow for our 40' 5th wheel and F450," highlighting the importance of researching access before arrival with larger rigs.
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