Camping options around Madisonville, Louisiana occupy a unique position along the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain where the Tchefuncte River meets the lake. This coastal region experiences mild winters with average temperatures of 50-60°F and humid summers that typically reach 90°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Low-lying terrain throughout the area makes proper drainage a critical consideration when selecting campsites, particularly during the rainy season from June through September.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on Natalabany Creek: The waterways near Amite provide peaceful paddling opportunities with abundant wildlife viewing. Natalabany Creek Campground features "concrete pad, lots of grass, large lots. It's quiet and everyone is nice," according to visitor Jensen K.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Multiple campgrounds maintain fishing facilities with catch-and-release policies. At Abita Springs RV Resort, Timothy D. notes they offer "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."
Beachfront relaxation: Waterfront sites offer Gulf access with minimal crowds during weekdays. Tony G. at Silver Slipper Beachfront RV Park describes it as a "beautiful place right on the beach. We were backed up to the Gulf of Mexico. We ended up staying an extra 3 days."
Holiday-themed events: Seasonal camping experiences include elaborate Halloween celebrations. At Adventures RV Resort, Amanda B. shares, "They do 3 weekends of Halloween in a row and they book crazy fast. We booked a full year in advance... On Saturday night they close the campground roads down for 2 hours and all the kids go trick or treating."
What campers like
Clean, maintained facilities: Well-kept grounds and bathhouses rank high among camper preferences. At Lakeside RV Park, Richard L. observed "this place is very well maintained, and the pool and playground areas are in excellent condition. We did not use the showers/bathrooms but the laundry area was clean and machines seemed new."
Security features: Gated campgrounds with controlled access provide peace of mind in urban areas. At French Quarter RV Resort, Ted N. commented, "Complex is walled with razor wire on top so we felt very safe staying here. While the freeway is right next to the site it did not affect us at all."
Convenient location: Easy access to both natural attractions and urban amenities matters to many visitors. Alanna R. noted about Abita Springs RV Resort, "Visit the nearby Abita Springs cafe for great breakfasts and of course the brewery for good beer. Cute little town area and farmers market very close."
On-site recreational options: Dedicated amenities for different age groups enhance the camping experience. Walt W. appreciated Lakeside RV Park's "beautiful setting all concrete. Really nice park very well maintained. Exceptionally maintained. All concrete sites and a beautiful lake. Covered play area for kids and a nice dog walk area."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Hurricane season affects campground operations from June through November. Coastal locations require monitoring weather forecasts and confirming reservations during this period.
Variable pricing structure: Many parks implement tiered pricing based on location, amenities, and day of week. At Silver Slipper Beachfront RV Park, Lee D. reports "rates are $25-$35 (for water view spots) Sunday-Thursday and $30-$49 for Friday and Saturday. Higher prices (up to $99) on holidays and note that Mardi Gras is considered a holiday!"
Noise factors: Traffic, trains, and weekend activity affect sound levels at many campgrounds. Regarding French Quarter RV Resort, Ray & Terri F. observed "I-10 is across the street and a bit loud during the daytime, but less so at night."
Limited tent camping: Most RV parks near Madisonville primarily accommodate motorhomes and travel trailers with few tent options. Many facilities require self-contained units with bathrooms.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities vary significantly: Research water features before booking as they range from basic pools to elaborate water parks. Cat R. notes that Fireside RV Resort offers "beautiful pool, lazy river, and pond."
Covered playgrounds provide weather protection: Several parks feature sheltered play areas allowing activity regardless of weather. Casey L. appreciated Lakeside RV Park's "playground that was covered which allowed us to play with our kids in the heat of the day and even with rain."
Weekend crowding affects experience: Family-oriented resorts experience significant population increases Friday through Sunday. Jessica B. observed at Sun Outdoors New Orleans North Shore that "we spent last Sunday-Thursday at Reunion Lake RV Resort and we really enjoyed it! We missed the big crowds and pretty much had the place to ourselves."
Activity costs vary beyond site fees: Many campgrounds charge additional fees for recreational amenities. Nancy W. notes at Sun Outdoors, "Be aware, some of these amenities have costs associated with them. For example, a cabana by the pool costs $85/day and water attractions are $25/day!"
Tips from RVers
Level concrete pads preferred for stability: Uneven sites create problems for larger motorhomes. Troy P. noted about Lakeside RV Park, "Great place that I did a stop at on my way to Houston TX. Nice area with concrete RV pads."
Laundry facilities vary in quality and price: Machine conditions and costs differ significantly between parks. Michelle M. reported that at Jude Travel Park, "Washers/dryers were old and rusty, some didn't work, and they were $2.00 for a standard sized machine."
Sewer connection design matters: Some parks have problematic hookup configurations. At Jude Travel Park, John noted "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."
Site width may limit awning deployment: RV parks with premium locations often sacrifice spacing between sites. Brittany V. observed at Lakeside RV Park, "the length of the site is fantastic but the width is rather narrow so your neighbor's hookups are in your grass area."
