Cabin camping near Madisonville, Louisiana provides options within 30 minutes of Lake Pontchartrain's north shore. The area sits at an average elevation of 7-26 feet and features a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot summers. Water features dominate the landscape with numerous rivers, creeks, and bayous creating waterfront cabin opportunities where campers often report wildlife sightings.
What to do
Water recreation: Access to waterways features prominently at Bogue Chitto State Park Campground, which offers opportunities for kayaking and river activities. "The river offers a nice swimming hole during the summer," notes one visitor who also mentions "plenty of wildlife such as turkey, deer, rabbits, turtles, alligators and birds" in the park.
Hiking trails: Several state parks maintain well-marked trails through diverse ecosystems. At Tickfaw State Park Campground, you'll find "several miles of trails showcasing the beauty of southern Louisiana." One visitor reports, "We took a few hikes around the river as well as some late night walks along the boardwalk hoping to see a gator."
Biking routes: Paved and unpaved cycling paths connect campgrounds to nearby attractions. "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," shares one camper about their experience at Fontainebleau State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Most cabins offer proximity to fishing spots. "Site #57 needed 2 blocks to level," one camper notes about Indian Creek Campground, but appreciates the "ice machine, picnic table, playground, hiking trails, kayaking and fire pits" available.
What campers like
Natural settings: Mature trees provide shade and atmosphere at many cabin locations. At Hidden Oaks Family Campground, "the campground has a river running through it making it a great option to go up river and kayak back down." Another visitor observed that "the campground is split into 2 sides - primitive and RV. A general store sits in the middle for any necessities."
Recreational facilities: Beyond cabins, many campgrounds feature additional amenities. Land-O-Pines Family Campground has "a small pool and older water slide but very homey. Shades and grass and dirt roads. Awesome creek that the kids have a blast in," according to one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse ecosystems with observable wildlife. One camper at Indian Creek mentions, "Hung out in the primitive area for a few days with my dog Dahli. Lots of wildlife (human and otherwise)! Overall a great trip."
Holiday events: Seasonal activities and themed weekends add entertainment value. "This park looks like a blast to come to on holidays for the family. They already have Christmas decorations up, a train ride ready and more!" shares a visitor to Hidden Oaks Family Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal weather considerations: The subtropical climate impacts cabin comfort differently throughout the year. At New Orleans RV Resort & Marina, located about 30 minutes from Madisonville, a camper found "the amenities are top notch, the sites are great. The price is a premium, but it's legit."
Site variations: Cabin and camping sites vary significantly across facilities. "Lots of sites but doesn't feel like your on top of the neighboring sites. Hauling an extra car and having a pull through tent site was extremely helpful," explains a Fontainebleau visitor.
Reservation timing: Popular cabin locations require advance planning, especially during peak seasons. At Bogue Chitto State Park, a camper advises, "Full RV hookups. Large shower stalls with locking door. Great walking trails. The grandkids loved the splash pad/water slide and easy access to the river."
Wildlife encounters: Native fauna includes insects and reptiles. "Bugs were tolerable with the help of bug spray," notes one camper at Fontainebleau State Park, while another at Tickfaw State Park mentions, "And sure, there are some snakes, but it's the swamp!!"
Tips for camping with families
Water features: Pools and water activities keep children entertained during summer months. "Great place to chill in water while camping during the summer!" states a visitor to Fireside RV Resort. "Pools and lazy river was about the only entertainment but for adults it was fine!"
Playground facilities: Check which campgrounds have upgraded play areas. "There's a new playground for the kids that our son especially likes to bike over to," shares a visitor to Indian Creek Campground.
Holiday programming: Several campgrounds offer themed weekends with activities. One camper writes about Land-O-Pines, "We went for Halloween weekend and there were alot of activities and trick or treating for the kids..great campsite great memories."
Safety considerations: Alligator warnings should be taken seriously. "DON'T FEED THE GATORS... Literally, don't feed the gators. There were signs everywhere... When my hubby rustled a bag, several alligators swam right up to our site!" warns a Bogue Chitto camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose level sites with adequate length for larger vehicles. At Tickfaw State Park, a visitor reports, "The pad was plenty long enough for our 39' fifth wheel and our F-450 truck as are most sites in the park."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entrance roads. At New Orleans RV Resort & Marina, a camper advises, "-2 roadways to enter/exit resort. A car can drive toward north but some potholes would not advise RV on road toward lake pontchaitrain."
Utility quality: Power stability and water pressure vary between locations. One visitor to Tickfaw State Park notes, "No dip in electricity at peak usage. Good water pressure. Free laundry for campers. Our site was lined with woods and gave us the feeling of seclusion."
Pull-through availability: Many parks offer limited pull-through sites. "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," cautions a Fontainebleau visitor who found a helpful staff member who "found us the perfect back-in site that made our stay amazing!"
