Best Campgrounds near Madisonville, LA

Madisonville, Louisiana campground options extend across multiple state parks and private facilities, with Fairview-Riverside State Park serving as a central destination for visitors. Located directly in Madisonville along the Tchefuncte River, this park offers tent camping, RV sites with water and electric hookups, and some full-hookup sites. Other nearby options include Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville and several private campgrounds like Hidden Oaks Family Campground and Land-O-Pines Family Campground, which also feature cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds in the area are developed facilities with designated sites rather than dispersed camping areas.

Year-round camping is available throughout the region, though seasonal considerations affect site conditions. Most campgrounds feature paved pads for RVs, but drainage can be problematic during rainy periods. The Tchefuncte River occasionally floods after heavy rainfall, potentially affecting riverfront sites. Many facilities require reservations, especially on weekends and during peak seasons. Campgrounds near Madisonville generally provide good cellular coverage and access to nearby services and restaurants. State parks like Fairview-Riverside maintain clean restroom facilities with individual shower rooms and on-site laundry facilities. A review noted, "The park has a few primitive spots, but everything is small and close. Hiking trail is maybe a half mile, but that's about it. There is a beautiful boardwalk on the Tchefuncte River, though, with great fishing."

Waterfront sites receive consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Fairview-Riverside State Park where some camping spots offer views of the Tchefuncte River. The boardwalk along the river provides fishing opportunities and scenic views, though visitors should be aware of possible alligator sightings in warmer months. Multiple reviewers mentioned the proximity to New Orleans as a benefit, with the city accessible within 45-50 minutes. Several visitors highlighted clean facilities as a major plus. One camper shared that "It's a nice quiet and clean park on the banks of the Tchefunte River just above Madisonville. 45 minutes from New Orleans." The campgrounds in this region generally feature limited hiking trails but compensate with water-based recreation opportunities including fishing, boating, and kayaking.

Best Camping Sites Near Madisonville, Louisiana (85)

    1. Fontainebleau State Park Campground

    77 Reviews
    Mandeville, LA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (985) 624-4443

    "We were on spot #138 and were close to the dump and the camp host. Very convenient for using the tote.  This is a bit older park, but we liked it. "

    "This is a beautiful state park located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain ( 30 min north of New Orleans)."

    2. Fairview-Riverside State Park

    32 Reviews
    Madisonville, LA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 677-3247

    $18 - $33 / night

    "It’s a nice quiet and clean park on the banks of the Tchefunte River just above Madisonville. 45 minutes from New Orleans. Check out some of the local restaurants in Madisonville."

    "Had a playground for the kids next to campsite. Walking distance to a picturesque river with lily’s and mangrove trees."

    3. Sun Outdoors New Orleans North Shore

    19 Reviews
    Ponchatoula, LA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 705-8973

    $45 - $130 / night

    "I enjoyed walking and sitting along the lake in the mornings. The noise from the interstate was a small detraction. Bathrooms could have used a little more attention."

    "Beautifully kept resort with nice full hook up camspots, fences in dog park, pools for adults and kids, camp store, bar, grill, lake and hot tub."

    4. Bogue Chitto State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Franklinton, LA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (985) 839-5707

    $25 / night

    "We visited Bogue Chitto after torrential rains pummeled Louisiana and Mississippi causing the park to cancel our site we had reserved with a water view in the Bottomland Loop."

    "We were pleasantly surprised by the nice views, great tent campsites, cold river access, and access to restaurants even though camp feels remote."

    5. Hidden Oaks Family Campground

    8 Reviews
    Hammond, LA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (985) 345-9244

    $50 / night

    "this campground has been around for a long time.  It has great festive activities for the seasonal holidays and a general laid back mind set year round.  Halloween decorations were in full effect. "

    "Great place to camp or stop if you want to visit New Orleans or surrounding areas."

    6. Adventures RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Hammond, LA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (985) 542-1507

    $40 - $75 / night

    "The store on site gives easy access to any items you may have forgotten. Live music happens on special weekends, as well as holiday related activities for kids."

    "I'll be honest, the campground is old and run down and I probably wouldn't visit here outside of Halloween but highly recommended for some great family Halloween fun!"

    7. Land-O-Pines Family Campground

    5 Reviews
    Covington, LA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (985) 892-6023

    "Land-O-Pines is a nice private RV park near Folsom and Covington. We stayed two nights because my daughter was in a horse competition at a nearby horse farm. The sites are mostly shady."

    8. Abita Springs RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Abita Springs, LA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (985) 590-3926

    "Nice RV pads next to the fishing pond. Scenic nature trails and wildlife. This is out in the woods but only a short drive to shopping and dining."

    "They could have a better threshold to enter and exit the building. The ladies rest room did have a handicapped ♿ stall with a grab bar and plenty of room for my chair."

    9. Fireside RV Resort

    6 Reviews
    Ponchatoula, LA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (985) 277-1059

    $65 - $150 / night

    "We were up in the front and didn’t really have any trees around that gave any kind of shade! Pools and lazy river was about the only entertainment but for adults it was fine!"

    10. Tickfaw State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Maurepas, LA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (225) 294-5020

    "This was one of the first places in the area to have a splash park for my children to run and play while staying cool in the south Louisiana heat."

    "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. "

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Recent Reviews near Madisonville, LA

537 Reviews of 85 Madisonville Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Buccaneer State Park Campground

    It’s a great place for families

    Beautiful park in a nice area. Lots of activities for the kids (in season) and plenty to do and see nearby. Waveland and Bay St Louis have lots of waterfront bars & eateries and there’s a casino nearby. Certainly more expensive than any state park we have stayed in - especially when the season has ended and the pool & water park are shut down.

  • Taylor C.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Creekside Farm Co.

    Great place!

    I was the only camper there but sites are pretty spread out regardless. We had direct access to the creek. The bathroom, sink, grill, and shower were just a quick walk up the hill. Shower was cold water only but honestly so nice after a hot day. They have tons of vegetation to look at, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and peacocks. There’s a small fishing pond too. You can follow the trail around the back of the pond and see the bunker and balcony. Will definitely be back! Only complaint is the ants were terrible! Idk where they kept coming from but definitely put up anything with food (even in tubs) up while not in use. Dogs are allowed but need to be on a lead. They have two dogs too, Mocha will come around to the campsites and creeks to say hi and want sticks to be thrown. Randy up there was super helpful too and good company. Everyone honestly was just so nice.

  • Tiffany M.
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Lake LaCroix RV Resort

    Unexpected paradise in the Bay

    My daughter and I stayed for a little girls weekend getaway before she starts college. Never heard of this place but decided to give it a try. We were pleasantly surprised with the park. The lake water is crystal clear with plenty of fish. Very peaceful here! We spent time at the natural playground, swimming in the beautiful pool, fishing and bicycling. The pool area is very nice with outdoor furniture, fire pits and loungers. Close location to the boat launch for easy access to the Jourdan River. Verizon cell service was very strong. The parks WiFi works great as well.

  • Tiffany M.
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Bogue Chitto State Park Campground

    One of our favorite state parks

    We love this park. Huge park with plenty of places to explore. We saw plenty of wildlife such as turkey, deer, rabbits, turtles, alligators and birds. Plenty of trails for hiking and biking. The river offers a nice swimming hole during the summer. WiFi worked good enough. Verizon cell service worked well in most areas of the park.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 22, 2025

    Lakeside RV Park

    Clean, Organize, Friendly Overnight Stop

    Arrived an hour early but no hassle, they were ready. It was raining hard but they lead me to my spot gladly. Bathrooms were well maintained, clean. Little store had essentials and they weren’t overpriced. They are easy in an out from interstate. I only stayed overnight but was a pleasant visit; you use them again. My site didn’t have a view of the lake but didn’t care just stayed overnight. The site was level and easy to back in.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 6, 2025

    Fairview-Riverside State Park

    Ok for a stop over

    Ok for a stopover. We had to book 2 nights since it was a weekend. This might be a good place to stay if you were attending an event in New Orleans such as a game. But the sites are super close together and not much shade. They have wifi but when we connected it said ‘no internet’ so apparently it wasn’t working. AT&T cell service was 5G.

    Handicap bathrooms are decent but lights are motion censored so can turn off on you while you are in the shower. People at the front entrance are very nice but seem a bit frazzled. They could use more staff to take the load off. I do believe there are homeless people coming in here without paying to shower and stay in their cars from time to time from what I heard from staff. Did not witness this however.

  • Taylor C.
    Apr. 3, 2025

    Fontainebleau State Park Campground

    Not my favorite but not terrible

    I really expected more from them considering it’s all anyone can talk about. Bathrooms were usually clean but quickly dirtied. Showers didn’t drain but they have water fountains for you to fill bottles. It had poured a few days before we went and had to switch sites three times before getting one that was even remotely dry. Definitely way more an rv park than for tent camping. All of the tent spots were either not very maintained or close together. Out of the 100 something people camping there only a handful were friendly to us. Did not have that campground vibe.


Guide to Madisonville

Camping near Madisonville, Louisiana, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or pitching a tent, there are great spots to enjoy the outdoors.

What to do

  • Explore the trails: Many campgrounds, like Bogue Chitto State Park Campground, have fantastic hiking trails. One visitor mentioned, "The hiking trail connects just across the road so easy access but kind of hard to find the trailhead."
  • Wildlife watching: Campers often spot various wildlife. A reviewer at Fontainebleau State Park Campground noted, "Tons of wildlife to be seen. The raccoons are smart, and not scared of humans, lol."
  • Fishing and water activities: Many parks, including Tickfaw State Park Campground, offer fishing spots. One camper shared, "There’s a small fishing lake behind the CG down a short road."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Buccaneer State Park Campground said, "Treasure Cove toilet/shower facility was heated and clean with ample TP."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide ample space between sites. A reviewer at Bayou Segnette State Park Campground mentioned, "Sites are spaced apart giving you some room."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Fairview-Riverside State Park noted, "Staff very friendly and helpful."

What you should know

  • Bug spray is essential: Mosquitoes can be a problem, especially in damp conditions. A visitor at St. Bernard State Park Campground advised, "But bring your bug spray. The mosquitoes were ferocious!"
  • Reservations are recommended: Some campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A camper at New Orleans West KOA mentioned, "We plan on returning!" indicating a busy spot.
  • Limited amenities at some sites: Not all campgrounds have full hookups or amenities. A reviewer at Lake Pontchartrain Landing noted, "NO free wifi provided."

Tips for camping with families

  • Check for kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or water features. A family at Sun Outdoors New Orleans North Shore loved the "lazy river, putt putt, and ice cream parlor."
  • Plan for wildlife encounters: Teach kids about local wildlife. A camper at Fontainebleau State Park Campground warned, "Raccoons around here will unzip your tent and rob you."
  • Bring outdoor games: Having games can keep kids entertained. A visitor at Bogue Chitto State Park Campground mentioned, "This Campground is packed with family-friendly things to do!"

Tips from RVers

  • Choose your site wisely: Some sites are better suited for larger RVs. A reviewer at Buccaneer State Park Campground advised, "Big rigs need to choose their sites carefully."
  • Check utility availability: Make sure your site has the necessary hookups. A camper at Fairview-Riverside State Park noted, "Cheap electric and water hookups."
  • Stay connected: Some campgrounds have limited cell service. A visitor at Tickfaw State Park Campground mentioned, "No wlan and a bad mobile connection."

Camping near Madisonville, Louisiana, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Madisonville?

Fairview-Riverside State Park is one of the best options, offering a quiet setting on the banks of the Tchefuncte River just above Madisonville. It's conveniently located about 45 minutes from New Orleans. For families looking for adventure beyond Madisonville, Tickfaw State Park Campground provides varied recreational opportunities including a splash park for children and scenic boardwalk trails through cypress forests.

What amenities do Madisonville campgrounds offer?

Fontainebleau State Park Campground offers water hookups and can accommodate longer stays with designated long-term areas. The park remains quiet and peaceful even during busy weekends. For RV travelers, Land-O-Pines Family Campground near Covington provides drive-in access with water, toilet facilities, and is big-rig friendly. Many campgrounds in the area offer playgrounds, picnic tables, fire pits, and access to water activities like boating and fishing.

When is the best season to go camping in Madisonville?

Spring and fall are ideal for camping around Madisonville due to milder temperatures. Summer can be extremely hot and humid in South Louisiana, as noted at St. Bernard State Park Campground where May temperatures are already intense. Winter, particularly mid-February, can be pleasant and less crowded at places like Bogue Chitto State Park Campground, though be aware that the lower portions of this park have alligators, particularly in warmer months.