Camping near Marrero, Louisiana provides access to several state parks and private campgrounds within 30-40 minutes of downtown New Orleans. The region features several water-adjacent campsites where standing water is common and travelers should expect high humidity levels from April through October. Wildlife viewing opportunities extend beyond birds to include alligators, particularly in water-filled ditches at campgrounds in the bayou environment.
What to do
Explore Tammany Trace: At Fontainebleau State Park Campground, campers can access a paved bike trail directly from the campground. "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," notes one visitor who appreciated the connectivity to surrounding areas.
Visit historic sites: The Chalmette Battlefield National Park near St. Bernard State Park Campground offers history lessons and occasional period-dressed reenactments. "When here, you are very close to the Chalmette Battlefield National Park and Cemetery where the famous battle of New Orleans took place. This park offers great history lesson and period dressed reenactments. Best time to visit is in early January when they recreate the battle," shares a camper.
Water activities: Many campgrounds feature swimming options for hot days. At Fontainebleau State Park, "The beach is lovely and the water felt great. There is also a splash pad," reports one visitor. Another camper at St. Bernard State Park mentioned, "There is a splash pad that was a huge hit for the little boys. This is the parks main attraction for the locals."
What campers like
Affordability: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate Three Oaks & A Pine RV Park, where rates run significantly lower than competitors. "Very affordable, paid $30 for full hookup, compared to other RV sites near the city were about triple the price. You can Uber into the french quarter for about $12 and takes 15 minutes," explains one reviewer.
Secure facilities: Many campgrounds provide enhanced security measures. At New Orleans RV Resort & Marina, "The place is fenced at gated for added security," notes a camper. Another visitor to the French Quarter RV Resort shared, "The area doesn't feel safe, but inside the campgrounds does. The campground itself is clean and kept up well. They keep a guard at the gate all the time."
Wildlife viewing: Campsites offer opportunities to observe local fauna. "We love this campground cause has lots of wildlife," shares a visitor to Fontainebleau State Park. At the New Orleans Joint Reserve Base, a military campground, one reviewer warns, "There are gators in the water filled ditch along the sites," highlighting the authentic bayou camping experience available.
What you should know
Neighborhood contexts: Campgrounds around New Orleans often sit in industrial or urban areas. Jude Travel Park of New Orleans receives mixed reviews about its location. "Kinda dodgy part of town. Hard to get to, we had to do a u turn to get there off I-10," reports one camper, while another notes, "We had a nice time, it was very secure here."
Noise levels: Proximity to urban areas brings associated sounds. At Three Oaks & A Pine, "It's not a very safe neighborhood and you can tell by the very loud noises at night (trains, cars spinning etc), so if you're a light sleeper, you might have a hard time," warns a visitor. Similarly, at Jude Travel Park, "The traffic noise on the adjacent Hwy was terrible and all night."
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping offers more comfort but requires preparation. One camper at Bayou Segnette State Park Campground shares, "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. Lesson learned!"
Tips for camping with families
Look for splash pads: State parks often offer water play areas. "The park is small. There is a splash pad that was a huge hit for the little boys. This is the parks main attraction for the locals," notes a visitor to St. Bernard State Park, providing an option for cooling off during hot days.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. At St. Bernard State Park, "There is a playground in the campsite between sites 10 and 11. At site 9, I could watch the kids play while I sat in the shade, watched them and relaxed," shares one family camper.
Pet-friendly options: Many area campgrounds accommodate four-legged family members. At Three Oaks & A Pine, "We loved this place. Nice, clean, safe, lovely office manager, laundry station, shade, picknick tables and a cute rooster," reports one camper. The New Orleans West KOA in River Ridge provides designated pet areas, with one visitor noting, "The spaces are a bit tight, only RV spots have a fire pit. Showers are well kept but the place smells musty."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At St. Bernard State Park, "You can get sites with water and electric service. Dump site is available... Sites are nice and come in various sizes for your RV or tent. Some of the sites are low and can hold water," advises one RVer, highlighting the importance of choosing elevated sites.
Watch site layouts: At Fontainebleau State Park, "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, and Betty at the entrance was awesome and found us the perfect back-in site that made our stay amazing!" shares one RVer.
Utility setup challenges: At Jude Travel Park, "The sewer hookups stick up a foot above the ground which makes it impossible to get your discharge hose to drain without standing out there to help it," warns one experienced RVer, suggesting bringing additional equipment to manage the unusual configuration.
