Bayou Segnette State Park Campground provides a strategic base camp for exploring New Orleans, located approximately 20-30 minutes from the French Quarter in Westwego. The campground sits at an elevation of 6 feet above sea level, with sites arranged in two camping loops on paved roads for single-direction traffic. During winter months, temperature differences between day and night can be significant, with some campers reporting unexpected humidity and insect activity even in December.
What to do
Bayou viewing opportunities: The boardwalks at Bayou Segnette State Park Campground cross throughout the camp, allowing visitors to experience bayou views without walking through swampy terrain. "You have to expect muggy conditions when camping here, it is a bayou, scale back your bedding to light weight materials and just be prepared for mosquitoes," notes one camper.
Wildlife watching: Early risers can spot small rabbits hopping around camp and birds starting to sing as early as 5:30 am at Bayou Segnette. "By morning, we noticed small rabbits hopping around camp and birds singing to wake you as early as 5:30. The sun starts beaming down by 7:00 and outside the temperatures are quite pleasant til around 9:30 before it starts heating up," reports one visitor.
River recreation: At Hidden Oaks Family Campground, a river runs through the property, creating ideal conditions for kayaking. "The campground has a river running through it making it a great option to go up river and kayak back down," shares one reviewer who enjoyed the river access.
What campers like
Convenient city access: The proximity to New Orleans makes New Orleans West KOA a popular option. "It was a good base to work from, about 25 minutes from the downtown museums and convenient to places like Destrehan Plantation and Bayou Segnette State Park. There are plenty of good restaurants and shops in the area, too," one visitor explains.
Free laundry facilities: Several state parks in the region offer complimentary laundry services, which campers frequently mention as a valued amenity. At Tickfaw State Park Campground, one visitor appreciates "No dip in electricity at peak usage. Good water pressure. Free laundry for campers. Our site was lined with woods and gave us the feeling of seclusion."
Clean facilities: Despite the bayou setting, campers consistently mention well-maintained facilities. "Bathrooms are among the cleanest I have ever seen in any state park. Free laundry is a nice perk but do it early (I was first at 7 am and it piled up soon after)," notes a visitor at Grand Isle State Park.
What you should know
Transportation planning: Many campgrounds offer specific transportation options to New Orleans. "The KOA offers transportation to the French Quarter for free! It was such a nice perk!" shares one visitor who appreciated not having to drive into the city.
Security features: For those concerned about city proximity, New Orleans RV Resort & Marina has implemented security measures. "It's also secured for those that are worried, I know I was," notes one camper. Another mentions, "Place is fenced at gated for added security."
Weather preparation: Louisiana's climate affects glamping in Avondale, Louisiana year-round. "We were not prepared for how hot and humid and full of bugs it would still be at the end of December. Lesson learned!" shares one winter visitor to Bayou Segnette State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Holiday events: Several campgrounds host special seasonal activities. At Adventures RV Resort, families can enjoy themed weekends. "On Saturday night they close the campground roads down for 2 hours and all the kids go trick or treating. Bring lots of candy!" advises a Halloween visitor.
Water features for kids: Multiple facilities offer water recreation options for children. "There is mini golf(18 holes), canoeing, kayaking, petal boat rental, 'mining for gemstones', fishing, a giant slide, 3 pools and a hot tub," describes a visitor to Adventures RV Resort.
Budget-friendly activities: Some campgrounds provide entertainment without additional costs. 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," according to one family visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RVers recommend specific sites for better experiences. At Bayou Segnette, "most sites don't have privacy. Some have privacy on one side. We liked 81 and 84 for this reason and close to the bathroom," shares one RV camper who valued these particular locations.
Leveling requirements: Several campgrounds have uneven sites that require preparation. At New Orleans RV Resort & Marina, one camper notes their "Back-in site with gravel parking and a picnic table... Site was pretty level. Awning faced north so we had some shade from the sun."
Internet connectivity: For those needing to stay connected, cellular coverage varies by location and provider. At New Orleans RV Resort & Marina, "Both AT&T and Verizon had good signal(3 bars each). AT&T Speedtest= 26.8 Mbps down, x 6.5 Mbps up. Free Wi-Fi is available at the office/restaurant and paid available at the sites."
