Bogue Chitto State Park features riverside campsites with diverse water recreation options beyond its equestrian facilities. Located 35 miles northeast of Maurepas, Louisiana, this park provides access to multiple water bodies including creeks, lakes, and the Bogue Chitto River. Seasonal considerations include summer temperatures averaging 90°F with high humidity and mild winters rarely dropping below freezing. Campgrounds in the region maintain high water tables, so campers should prepare for potentially damp conditions during rainy periods.
What to do
River tubing adventures: During summer months, visitors at Bogue Chitto State Park can enjoy floating down the river. "Great bike riding, good family park. River tubing available," notes Connie M., highlighting recreational options beyond horseback riding.
Water recreation: Multiple lakes and waterways allow for diverse activities. Cat R. advises about Bogue Chitto: "Canoeing and kayaking was a short drive away. Did I mention that there are free mini libraries??" The park's water features create multiple recreation zones across different skill levels.
Biking trails: Levee paths near Farr Park RV Campground provide extensive riding opportunities. Jacqueline A. mentions "Easy to bike on the levee to LSU and Baton Rouge," making this an excellent option for cyclists seeking distance rides with minimal traffic.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The natural wetland ecosystem supports diverse animal sightings. Tiffany M. reports at Bogue Chitto: "We saw plenty of wildlife such as turkey, deer, rabbits, turtles, alligators and birds." Many equestrian-focused campgrounds near Maurepas maintain natural areas that attract wildlife.
Equestrian facilities: Horse-friendly Land-O-Pines Family Campground offers diverse amenities. Nicole R. describes it as "Older campground with small pool and older water slide but very homey. Shades and grass and dirt roads. Awesome creek that the kids have a blast in." The combination of horse facilities with family amenities creates versatile camping options.
Spacious sites: Most campgrounds offer adequate room for both living and recreation. Patrick R. notes about Farr Park: "It's connected to an equestrian center. If horses are your thing it's perfect. 2 miles from LSU, 3 miles from Baton Rouge, biking trails along Mississippi River levee."
What you should know
Flooding concerns: Lower elevation sites require weather monitoring. At Bogue Chitto State Park, Cat R. warns: "We were in the lower area campsites, which were prone to flash flooding. We actually left a day early due to prediction of rain."
Wildlife precautions: Alligators are common in waterfront areas. Larry notes bluntly: "This place is crawling with gators in the lower portion on the lakes. Hey this is south Louisiana." Always maintain safe distances from wildlife and never feed them.
Site selection considerations: Campgrounds often have varied terrain with significant differences between sites. Reagan S. advises at Bogue Chitto: "Site 126 relaxing stream front site nice wooden patio firepit and bbq. Park has ponds, lakes, stream, river, beaches, hiking trails, river tubing, horse back riding. Full hookup in uplands just water and electric in bottomland."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Multiple swimming options suit different ages. Therese A. mentions about Sweetwater Campground RV Ranch: "The grandkids loved the splash pad/water slide and easy access to the river." Water features provide relief during hot Louisiana summers.
Scheduled activities: Many campgrounds offer organized events. Charmon K. notes at Sweetwater: "Enjoyed my time here. Peaceful setting with a pool! Wagon ride for kids, pond, ducks, mule was cute!" These structured activities supplement self-directed exploration.
Holiday events: Some campgrounds host seasonal celebrations. David D. shares about Land-O-Pines Family Campground: "We went for Halloween weekend and there were a lot of activities and trick or treating for the kids...great campsite great memories." These special events create additional entertainment value for family stays.
Tips from RVers
Campground access considerations: Industrial surroundings shouldn't deter visitors from urban locations. At New Orleans RV Resort & Marina, Alana F. advises: "The road to get here is rough though, it's through an industrial park and looks very concerning, but then you come and find this! So nice."
Site selection strategy: Water/electric sites often have better locations than full hookup sites. David B. explains about Land-O-Pines: "The sites are mostly shady. The streets and sites are gravel and can get a little muddy in spots after a rain." When selecting horse campgrounds near Maurepas, Louisiana, consider seasonal rainfall patterns and site drainage.
Dump station logistics: Some facilities have challenging configurations. David B. notes about Farr Park: "The dump station connection for your sewer hose is at a 45 degree angle and a bit above ground level. This creates sags in your hose. Also, there is no way to secure or screw in your connection to the sump station." Planning ahead with proper equipment helps manage these infrastructure limitations.
