Camping in Laplace, Louisiana places visitors just 25-30 miles west of New Orleans within the Mississippi River Delta region at elevations averaging 5-10 feet above sea level. The area experiences subtropical climate conditions with hot, humid summers and mild winters, making early spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Summer temperatures consistently reach 90°F with high humidity levels and afternoon thunderstorms common from June through September.
What to do
Bike the levee trail: Near Bonnet Carre Spillway Boat Launch, the paved Mississippi River levee trail extends for miles, offering exercise with scenic river views. "Nice level grass area easy to get in and out. Near New Orleans and the airport. No hookups. Must register online," notes Martha H. about the boat launch area.
Explore plantation history: Several historic plantations are within 20-30 minutes of Bayou Segnette State Park Campground. "Short drive to Barataria Preserve for seeing wildlife. Sites are are large but watch what side your picnic table may be on," advises Tara W.
Visit downtown New Orleans: From New Orleans West KOA, the French Quarter is easily accessible. "We spent almost a week at the New Orleans West KOA in January while exploring the New Orleans area. 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," reports Art Z.
What campers like
Easy city access with secure camping: Dog friendly campgrounds near Laplace provide secure options while exploring the area. "The security is great. The spots are quite level. The water quality is good. Bring a pressure regulator as it seems to be higher than normal pressure. Each site has a picnic bench, fire pin and grill. Asphalt parking area for camper," says ron R. about Bayou Segnette State Park.
Waterfront camping options: At Fontainebleau State Park Campground, 45 minutes east of Laplace, waterfront sites provide natural settings with wildlife viewing. "We love this campground cause has lots of wildlife," shares Danny. The park includes a beach area and splash pad that welcomes pets on leashes throughout most areas.
Level sites with concrete pads: Most pet-friendly campgrounds around Laplace feature level camping surfaces. "The lady at the front desk was nice. She told us where to go to see the garden district and the French Quarter. They only took a few minute drive to get there. This campground is in a neighborhood. Seems odd, but it works. They have night security. With the AC on, it was pleasant. Our site was a level concrete pad," explains Craig F.
What you should know
Summer heat considerations: The Louisiana summer heat requires special planning, especially for dog owners. "We stayed over Easter weekend 2022 and it was packed. 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. The beach is lovely and the water felt great," reports Gregg G. about Fontainebleau State Park Campground.
Flooding potential: Many campgrounds in the region experience flooding after heavy rains. "I want to give them a 5, but they have a water problem. 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," notes Dean and Dodie B. about Fairview-Riverside State Park.
Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds near highways experience traffic noise. "As stated in other reviews this KOA is close to town and very convenient. But it's noisy. Traffic, trains, airplanes and construction noise, you've got it all here. Bring earplugs if your tent camping. The staff is super friendly though and the amenities are very nice," advises Jim H.
Tips for camping with families
Seek campgrounds with designated play areas: Tickfaw State Park Campground offers playgrounds and nature programming for kids. "Tickfaw State Park is a Louisiana State Park located just outside of Springfield, LA. The park is not very large, but big enough not to constantly run into people. There are 2 camping loops - (1) for tents and (1) for RV's. Our site, #37 on the tent loop, we had enough space as well as privacy," reports Paula W.
Utilize splash pads during summer: Several parks offer water features that help kids cool off. "Very nice state park. Live Oaks and Moss. Wildlife. Great fishing pier. Quiet and very family friendly," shares Pat T. about Fontainebleau State Park.
Watch for wildlife with kids: The region offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, but supervision is essential. "Had a couple of snakes show up creeping under our camper. After that I just couldn't enjoy it, lol. Nice trails where we saw a couple of alligators. Pretty wild flowers. A small pond to kayak, where we were greeted by a watch out for gator sign!" explains Cat R. about Tickfaw State Park.
Tips from RVers
Beware entrance challenges: Some campgrounds have tricky entrances or roads. "Our RV GPS and Waze took us from I-12 through town to the campground (CG). Check-in at the gate was quick and friendly. We then proceeded to the South CG to back-in site 138; 50 AMP and water. The road to the site was a bit narrow for our 40' 5th wheel and F450," explains MickandKarla W. about Fontainebleau State Park Campground.
Check pull-through site designs: At Sun Outdoors New Orleans North Shore, site layouts vary. "Absolutely beautiful park! Great paved bike trail that you can get to from the campground. 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," warns Martha S.
Look for senior discounts: Louisiana state parks offer significant discounts for seniors. "When we booked the reservation we used the 20% military discount but found out upon arrival that LA State Parks give a 50% discount for seniors 62+ and you don't have to be a state resident," shares MickandKarla W. about Tickfaw State Park.
