Best Campgrounds near Metairie, LA
State parks and private campgrounds surround Metairie, Louisiana, creating a diverse camping landscape within easy reach of New Orleans. Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego offers year-round camping with both tent and RV sites featuring water and electrical hookups. Fontainebleau State Park, located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, provides campsites beneath Spanish moss-draped live oaks. For urban convenience, several RV-focused options exist, including the French Quarter RV Resort and New Orleans West KOA in River Ridge. These established campgrounds typically include full hookups, while more primitive options can be found at Pearl River Wildlife Management Area, where simple field camping requires a free permit through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries app.
The subtropical climate significantly impacts camping conditions throughout the year. Summer months bring intense heat, humidity, and mosquitoes, with one camper noting, "Holy Goodness it is HOT in South Louisiana in May." Fall and winter are generally considered more comfortable for tent camping. Many state park campgrounds in the region are susceptible to flooding during heavy rains, with reviewers frequently mentioning soggy conditions. As one visitor to Fontainebleau State Park observed, "We went on a weekend after it had rained all week. There wasn't a dry spot to be found." Hurricane season (June through November) can affect campground operations, with some parks showing evidence of storm damage and ongoing repairs. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with most campgrounds reporting good coverage for major carriers.
Boardwalk trails through swampy areas are a distinctive feature of many campgrounds in the region. At Tickfaw State Park, visitors appreciate "well maintained boardwalks through South Louisiana swamps" that provide wildlife viewing opportunities. Family-friendly amenities like splash pads, fishing piers, and playgrounds are common at state parks. Most campgrounds offer clean bathhouses and laundry facilities, though site privacy varies considerably. Proximity to New Orleans is a major draw, with Bayou Segnette praised as being "20 minutes from NOLA" with "friendly staff." Weekend crowding is frequently mentioned in reviews, with one camper noting they "had the tent area to ourselves until Friday afternoon." For RV travelers seeking urban experiences, several parks offer direct access to the French Quarter, though these tend to be more expensive than state park options.
