Camping in coastal Louisiana offers direct beach access with sites right on the Gulf of Mexico. The Cameron area sits at sea level with marshy wetlands and shell-packed beaches. Weather ranges from mild winters (50-65°F) to hot, humid summers (85-95°F) with high mosquito activity during warmer months.
What to do
Beachcombing for shells: Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping provides access to shores covered with large shells. "Lots and lots of huge shells here," notes Laura M., who camped at Rutherford Beach Campground in early March.
Surf fishing: Many beaches in the area allow fishing directly from your campsite. At Rutherford Beach, one camper observed "lots of people catching fish" through surf casting, while another mentioned their "kids loved fishing right from camp."
Kayaking on marshes: Sea Rim State Park offers kayaking trails through marshland ecosystems. A camper mentioned "Great kayaking trail map and recommendations from the rangers on where to go," while another noted the "diverse environment to explore" at Sea Rim State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The marshes around Cameron support diverse wildlife. At Sea Rim's nature trail, visitors report "we saw lots of alligators and birds" while exploring the boardwalks through marshland areas.
What campers like
Beach proximity: Many campsites offer direct Gulf access. At Pickled Pelican RV Park, sites feature "full hookups and a nice quiet beach without a ton of tourists," according to Richard S.
Watercraft watching: Intracoastal Parish Park Campground lets visitors watch commercial traffic. "It was great to watch the tugs push barges all day," notes Annette L., who stayed at Intracoastal Parish Park Campground.
Concrete pads: Several RV parks feature level, concrete camping surfaces. Daniel H. notes that Pickled Pelican has "RV spots are all level concrete in excellent condition" with "twelve spots as close to the beach as you can get."
Covered structures: Some sites include shelters for shade. Cat R. mentions Pickled Pelican's "beautiful metal roof pergolas, with lighting and a large square picnic table with 4 benches."
What you should know
Mosquito preparation: Bugs can be intense, especially at dusk. At Rutherford Beach, Keegan O. warned they experienced "such thick clouds of mosquitos in my life" and "spent the next TWO DAYS hunting down hundreds of mosquitos in our van."
Wind conditions: Coastal winds can become problematic. "The first few days were awesome... Then the wind picked up and didn't stop! We had to leave because it got so bad," reports Annette L. about Holly Beach RV Park.
Soft sand challenges: Some beaches have soft sand that may require 4WD. Jeff K. noted that at Rutherford Beach, "the sand here packs well and supports our camper" but mentioned their "trailer has narrow tires that are hard to pull on most beaches."
Hurricane recovery: Many areas are still rebuilding from hurricane damage. A Pickled Pelican visitor noted "no convenience stores or gas stations thanks to hurricanes" and the "closest grocery store, gas/diesel, and general merchandise is in Hackberry, 20 minutes north."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom facilities: Not all beach camping areas have restrooms. Jasmine P. noted Rutherford Beach offers "dumpsters, an outside shower and a water spigot" but no permanent facilities, while Sea Rim State Park provides toilets and outdoor showers.
Shell collecting opportunities: Beaches with shell fragments can be hard on bare feet but great for collecting. Laura M. mentioned Rutherford Beach has sand that is "crushed shells, so not so soft for bare feet" but excellent for beachcombing.
Night activities planning: Evening bugs can force indoor activities. One Sea Rim camper warned "once the sun goes down, an army of vampire mosquitos descend on you and your pets... We were enjoying being outside and we had to get into our trailer."
Supply preparation: Limited services mean bringing necessities. A visitor noted about the region: "Get everything you need before you get here, cause once you're here you have no reason to leave."
Tips from RVers
Park gate schedules: Be aware of access restrictions. One Sea Rim visitor warned "this is the only park that I've encountered that literally locks their gate at night... There is no way in, no way out until the next morning."
Beach driving conditions: Sand consistency varies by location and weather. Jeff K. at Action RV Park noted their experience with different area beaches, mentioning "narrow tires that are hard to pull on most beaches" but finding some locations where "the sand here packs well."
Hookup variations: Sites range from primitive to full-service. RHONDA R. noted Action RV Park provides "full hook-up" while beachfront areas like Holly Beach require self-sufficiency.
Weather preparedness: Coastal storms develop quickly. Daniel H. recommends having backup plans as "not a great beach to camp on in stormy weather. No rock/sea wall to slow the surge or wave action."
