Cabin camping near Mandeville, Louisiana offers a mix of bayou wilderness and waterfront access points within a 30-minute drive. The region sits at an average elevation of 7 feet above sea level, creating unique drainage considerations during rainy seasons. Many cabin sites throughout the area require advance reservations 6-12 months ahead, especially for holiday weekends and summer months between May and September.
What to do
Disc golf at Buccaneer State Park: Located about an hour from Mandeville across the state line, Buccaneer State Park Campground offers a complete course. "We came to play disc golf. It was a very nice course. Loved our campsite. It backed up to some woods & had a lot of space," notes one visitor who appreciated the recreational options beyond water activities.
Horseback riding trails: Within a 45-minute drive, Bogue Chitto State Park Campground maintains dedicated equestrian trails separate from hiking paths. A visitor mentioned, "Horse back riding. Clean," among the activities available at this multi-use park with cabin options.
Kayaking river access: Multiple launch points allow for different skill levels, with Bogue Chitto offering calmer waters for beginners. "The river offers a nice swimming hole during the summer," notes a recent visitor who found water activities accessible directly from the cabin areas.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early morning hours provide the best wildlife spotting chances across most parks. "We love this campground cause has lots of wildlife," reports a camper at Fontainebleau, where cabin sites offer optimal viewing locations.
What campers like
Modern bathroom facilities: Newer cabin areas typically feature updated restrooms. At Fontainebleau State Park Campground, "The bathhouse facilities at the campground were well maintained and cleaned. The facilities at the lake were rough," indicating location-specific differences in amenity quality.
Connectivity options: Many cabins now offer basic internet access. "The Verizon service was good and there is free WiFi," notes a Fontainebleau visitor, though connection strength varies by specific cabin location and weather conditions.
Safety measures: Security personnel regularly patrol larger campgrounds. At Land-O-Pines Family Campground, staff maintains a visible presence, which visitors appreciate: "Staff is amazing. There is a lot of fun things to do for the whole family, from swimming, water slide to playing bingo and a lot more."
Biking infrastructure: Paved paths connect cabin areas to main facilities. "Great paved bike trail that you can get to from the campground," reports a Fontainebleau visitor, highlighting the interconnected nature of the recreation areas.
What you should know
Flooding concerns: Low-lying cabin sites may experience water issues after heavy rainfall. "It had poured a few days before we went and had to switch sites three times before getting one that was even remotely dry," cautions a Fontainebleau visitor about terrain challenges.
Raccoon activity: Food storage protocols should be strictly followed. A visitor to Fontainebleau warns, "A family of raccoons must have been fed by someone, though, as they had NO fear nor qualms of coming right up to our table end one evening!"
Varied cabin standards: Quality and amenities differ significantly between parks and between cabin types within the same park. At Hidden Oaks Family Campground, "We came here during the week so we had a little more space to ourselves. We were able to ride bikes and kayak. There's a river that runs right through the campground," demonstrating how timing affects the experience.
Reservation requirements: Most parks require non-refundable deposits. "We booked a full year in advance," mentions a visitor to one seasonal event, highlighting the planning needed for peak periods.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities scheduling: Morning sessions at water features avoid afternoon crowds. "They have a water slide up front $5 per hour and you use a mat to go down it's fiberglass," explains a visitor to Adventures RV Resort, providing specific cost information.
Bike-friendly options: Several parks have dedicated cycling areas for children. "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 a Fontainebleau visitor, highlighting connected trail systems.
Holiday programming: Special events require early booking. "On Saturday night they close the campground roads down for 2 hours and all the kids go trick or treating. Bring lots of candy!" advises an Adventures RV Resort visitor about their Halloween festivities.
Accessibility considerations: Not all cabins have wheelchair-friendly features. A visitor to Abita Springs notes, "They have handicap parking in the clubhouse. They could have a better threshold to enter and exit the building," indicating partial but incomplete accessibility.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Corners and end spots offer more privacy. "To our surprise, there was a drainage ditch across from our site that made backing in difficult. When we reserved online, we did not see the ditch on the campsite map," warns a Fontainebleau visitor about unexpected site challenges.
Rental alternatives: Cabins provide options when RV sites are full. At Abita Springs RV Resort, "I've stayed here a few times with a friend that has a membership. Once in my camper once in the cabins. Both times were great. Cabins are more private along the pond," notes a visitor comparing accommodation types.
Membership requirements: Some parks restrict access to members only. "Great campground it is a coast to coast park so you have to be a member," clarifies an Abita Springs visitor about reservation policies that affect both RV sites and cabins.
Utility considerations: Power capacity varies between sites. "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 a Fontainebleau visitor about staff helping with site limitations.
