Grand Isle State Park Campground offers coastal Louisiana camping on the Gulf of Mexico's edge. Located at the southern tip of Grand Isle, the park provides both beachfront tent sites and RV camping with full hookups. Campers contend with persistent winds and little natural shade throughout the park's flat terrain. The campground remains open year-round, though hurricane season from June through November may affect availability.
What to do
Fishing from piers and shoreline: Grand Isle State Park Campground has multiple fishing locations including two piers and inlet areas. "We spent New Year's Eve 2024/2025 at Grand Isle State Park. Our spot (pretty much all of the spots) was a five minute walk from the beach," notes Art Z. about the convenient beach access.
Crabbing with minimal equipment: Beach tent camping at Grand Isle State Park Campground provides excellent crabbing opportunities. "Great beach tent camping. Fantastic facilities including FREE laundry. Great crabbing! Just trow a chicken neck on a string and just pull them in," reports Stephanie J.
Exploring New Orleans attractions: Bayou Segnette State Park Campground serves as an ideal base for New Orleans day trips. "We booked this very last minute to meet family in NOLA. The bathrooms were kept clean. The campground was nice. Getting around was a bit confusing but the lady on the phone gave very detailed instructions since we were arriving after hours," shares Sonyia W.
What campers like
Free laundry facilities: St. Bernard State Park Campground offers complimentary laundry services, a rarity among campgrounds. "Clean bathrooms with private showers. Laundry available. Two good sized playgrounds for kids and a really huge splash pad," says Nicholas S. about the amenities.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dolphin sightings are common at Grand Isle State Park. "One day we did see a shoal of porpoises just out from the park's pier," reports Ray & Terri F. during their stay, highlighting the marine wildlife visitors can observe.
Fishing dock access: Bobby Lynn's Marina & RV Park caters specifically to fishing enthusiasts with waterfront sites. "This campground is designed to accommodate fisherman and families. All the RV sites and cabins are waterfront with easy access and free launching," explains Bobby G.
What you should know
Intense mosquito pressure: Bug protection is essential at Grand Isle throughout the year. "The campground is nice and well maintained. We were in site 14 for 8 days. Some of the turns, though open, were a little tight for bigger rigs, with several leaving deep tracks in the soft ground and mud," notes Ray & Terri F., who also reported variable AT&T service.
Site flooding concerns: Low areas at Bayou Segnette State Park Campground can collect water after rain. "The campground had a very swampy feel, water pooled everywhere and I kept an eye out for alligators though I didn't see anything other than cute little tiny frogs in the laundry room and our power pedestal," reports Laura M.
Limited freshwater swimming: Beach conditions vary seasonally with water clarity often affected by mainland runoff. "The beach area was nice, but it was rainy and very windy most of our stay, as two major winter storms raged across the country, though Terri did get out to walk it whenever the weather permitted," shares Ray & Terri F.
Tips for camping with families
Beach play options: Catfish Cabins and Campground offers family-friendly amenities beyond beach access. "There are cabins and RV sites with FULL HOOKUPS, WiFi, cable, fish cleaning stations, a pool, and a washer and dryer," reports Anna C., noting the cleanliness but mentioning "there's no shade so it gets pretty hot during summer."
Pack fans for heat relief: Summer temperatures combined with humidity require additional cooling measures. "Our neighbor was an employee of the park and he and his wife were absolutely a treasure! Also, coming from camping in Gatlinburg the month before (18 degrees) to here, we were not prepared for how hot and humid and full of bugs it would still be at the end of December," warns Sonyia W.
Choose tent sites closer to facilities: When beach camping at Grand Isle State Park, site selection matters. "The tent sites feel more private since it feels more nature-y on the beach and less like a neighborhood, and they each have a fire ring and picnic table," explains Kristina M., who also noted the long walk to bathrooms from certain areas.
Tips from RVers
Secure belongings against wind: The Gulf exposure at Swampman RV Paradise and other coastal sites requires preparation. "Located bayou side with open grounds is this very quiet, professional rv park. Very pet friendly, an accommodating owner and very clean everything made my stay here memorable," shares Clyde B.
Water pressure considerations: Bring pressure regulators for RV hookups at regional campgrounds. "I was here for a week. The security is great. The spots are quite level. The water quality is good. Bring a preasure regulator as it seems to be higher than normal preasure," advises ron R. about staying at Bayou Segnette State Park.
Plan for limited groceries: Stock up before arriving at the best places to camp near Grand Isle, Louisiana. "Although there is a grocery/hardware/everything store a just a few miles down the road, their selection of groceries was rather limited, so don't plan to get fancy," cautions Ray & Terri F. about provisioning for extended stays.
