Camping near Bastrop, Louisiana offers a mix of state parks and private campgrounds in the Mississippi Delta region. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Most campgrounds sit on or near water features with cypress trees creating distinctive landscapes around the Ouachita River basin.
What to do
Explore historic sites: Poverty Point Reservoir State Park serves as a convenient base for visiting the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site. "The unesco world heritage site is less than a 20min drive," notes Peter R., who enjoyed the park's "nature and short hiking trails" between excursions.
Paddle ancient waterways: Lake D'Arbonne State Park offers water access to cypress-lined shores. "Great piers on a very nice lake with big, beautiful cypress trees. Just a beautiful, hilly campground on a gorgeous lake," reports Steve S., who appreciated the lakefront setting.
Wildlife photography: Black Bayou National Wildlife Refuge provides opportunities for spotting native species. "Black Bayou National Wildlife Refuge sits approximately 15 minutes from Bayou Boeuf RV Park, offering additional hiking opportunities for leashed dogs," making it a popular destination for nature photographers.
Disc golf courses: Lake D'Arbonne State Park maintains a full course among its amenities. "Lots of amenities. Tennis courses, disc golf course, hiking/biking trails, swimming pool, cabins, lodges, several playgrounds, picnic areas, pavilions & WiFi," writes Cheri H. about the recreational options.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Poverty Point Reservoir State Park maintains exceptional standards. "Bathrooms were the cleanest I've seen in a public park," writes Peter R., who appreciated the well-maintained facilities during his stay.
Evening entertainment: Landry Vineyards hosts regular weekend events with live music. "We were able to time it to coincide with a Saturday afternoon/evening event there at the vineyard and it was spectacular," shares Mike T., adding that "a bagpipe group showed up and played out under the portico."
Helpful staff: Ouachita RV Park provides attentive service for travelers. "The staff took good care of us and made a priority out of putting us all near each other," recalls Allison N., who appreciated the park's thoughtfulness toward college students staying long-term.
Level campsites: Many campgrounds in the area feature well-designed sites. "Level spot. Cell phone service and bathroom with shower available," notes Kristi D. about her stay at Bayou Boeuf RV Park, making it convenient for overnight stays.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variations between sites. "Just have to be careful what sight you book, because I almost never got my camper level in sight #21," warns Gary G. about Chemin-A-Haut State Park, suggesting campers research specific site characteristics before booking.
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife may visit campsites after dark. "Raccoons are very curious and obviously human fed because they will walk right up to you," reports Nicki M. about the wildlife at Chemin-A-Haut State Park.
Water level changes: Water activities may be affected by seasonal conditions. "Water has been high for a few months so its ugly and not so useable. There's supposed to be a route by canoe to old growth trees but water is too high," reports Pam G., highlighting how conditions can affect recreational opportunities.
Permit requirements: Some wildlife management areas require permits. "Perfectly fine site, a very nice ranger kindly told me that it's 5 dollars, just FYI!" notes Cole J. about the Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area, which offers free dispersed camping but requires payment of a small fee.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Some parks offer several play areas for different age groups. "The park has playgrounds and pavilions," mentions Allison N. about Lake D'Arbonne State Park, which provides multiple recreational spaces for children.
Kid-friendly trails: The Fishing Camp Tackle & RV Park provides access to family-suitable walking paths. "For $25 a night, this little RV park with water and power hookups to 50A is a fairly quiet spot," reports Cultivating Fire L., making it an economical option for families.
Swimming opportunities: Seasonal swimming areas provide summer recreation. "Nice park. Usually busy. Nice lake for swimming and fishing," writes Nicki M. about Lake D'Arbonne State Park's water features that appeal to families with children.
Educational activities: Several parks offer nature programs for young visitors. "The park has a kids trail," mentions Taylor C. about Chemin-A-Haut State Park, which provides interpretive experiences for children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some parks require additional equipment for proper setup. "The site was rock and not quite level since we had to use leveling blocks to avoid having the back tires of our 39 foot motorhome lifted off the ground," reports Steven V. about his stay at Landry Vineyards, suggesting RVers bring leveling equipment.
Dog-friendly options: Multiple pet-welcoming campgrounds accommodate furry travelers. "Super nice owners! Dwayne was very accommodating...good price for full hookup. Quiet and convenient campground," writes Kristi D., noting that Bayou Boeuf RV Park welcomes pets.
Navigation considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "The layout is a bit tricky to navigate with a trailer, spots are close and the turns are sharp with bad angles," warns Allison N. about Pavilion RV Park, suggesting larger rigs exercise caution when entering.
Laundry facilities: Several campgrounds offer washing machines for extended stays. "The RV camping area has a nice, new, and clean restroom and shower facility with coin-operated laundry," notes Heath H. about the amenities at Chemin-A-Haut State Park, beneficial for long-term travelers.
