St. Bernard State Park Campground sits approximately 20-30 minutes southeast of New Orleans, providing a convenient base for exploring both city attractions and natural areas. Most campgrounds near New Orleans combine urban amenities with bayou landscapes, offering varying levels of hookups from primitive tent sites to full-service RV pads. The region's subtropical climate means high humidity and occasional heavy rainfall, requiring campers to prepare accordingly.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: St. Bernard State Park features nature trails where campers can spot local wildlife. "The campground, as well as the restroom/shower house, is well maintained. Heard sounds of ATVs riding in the distance. Very quiet at night," notes Fred S. in his review of St. Bernard State Park Campground.
Historic site exploration: Visit nearby Chalmette Battlefield National Park. As Paula W. shares, "When here, you are very close to the Chalmette Battlefield National Park and Cemetery where the famous battle of New Orleans took place. This park offers great history lesson and period dressed reenactments."
Levee walking trails: Spend time on the Mississippi River levee trails near New Orleans West KOA. "A 10 minute walk will have you on the multi-use trail on top of the levee and that is a wonderful place for a walk, jog, or bike ride," explains Art Z.
Bayou exploration: Take advantage of swamp tours operating near camping areas. Jennifer H. mentions there are "some great swamp tours near by (Ragin Cajun) and easy to check out Oak Valley and the Whitney plantations."
What campers like
Convenient city access: Bayou Segnette State Park offers proximity to the French Quarter while still providing natural surroundings. "Nice little campground 20-30 minutes from NOLA. Perfect spot for camping outside of the city," reports Tara W. about Bayou Segnette State Park Campground.
Pet exercise areas: Dog friendly campgrounds near New Orleans typically include designated pet areas. At New Orleans RV Resort & Marina, Stuart K. notes, "Nice & easy clean resort. They pick up your trash by noon, LP pickup/refill, shower hot, store, pool, hot tub, sitting areas with rockers, dog area and great restaurant/sport bar."
Water features: Many campgrounds near New Orleans offer pool facilities for cooling off. Lindsey G. mentions, "Nice little playground and the pool looked good as well," when describing the pet-friendly New Orleans West KOA.
Affordability options: For budget-conscious travelers, certain campgrounds offer reasonable rates. Jessica C. explains that Three Oaks & A Pine RV Park provides "roughly $30 a night to be about ten minutes by car from the French Quarter. It's a $8 Uber ride in non peak times."
What you should know
Industrial approaches: Some New Orleans campgrounds have uninviting access roads that might concern first-time visitors. Alana F. warns about Three Oaks & A Pine RV Park, "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."
Train noise considerations: Railroad proximity affects several camping locations. Crystal C. notes about Bayou Segnette, "In addition, a RV dump station is available for those needing one at the entrance and is well lit, otherwise camp has a dim glow at night so to not attract additional bugs in the night."
Urban camping realities: City-adjacent camping provides convenience but lacks traditional camping atmosphere. "This park is essentially a gravel lot with full RV hookups," Jessica C. cautions about Three Oaks & A Pine.
Seasonal variations in availability: Popular camping periods like Mardi Gras require advance planning. Doug D. advises, "This park fills up quickly at Mardi Gras, so reserve early."
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad alternatives: Fontainebleau State Park offers water recreation beyond swimming pools. Nicholas S. shares, "Great campground. Clean bathrooms with private showers. Laundry available. Two good sized playgrounds for kids and a really huge splash pad," in his review of Fontainebleau State Park Campground.
Wildlife awareness: Local fauna includes numerous species children might find interesting. Megin F. notes, "Site was a good size, plenty of shade. I didn't have any neighbors so that was nice! Tons of wildlife to be seen. The raccoons are smart, and not scared of humans, lol."
Playground access: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near New Orleans maintain playground facilities. Paula W. mentions, "There is a playground in the campsite between sites 10 and 11. At site 9, I could watch the kids play while I sat in the shade, watched them and relaxed."
Heat preparation: The subtropical climate requires planning for comfort. Paula W. advises, "You need to bring chairs and a canopy. There are (2) covered areas but is awkward to share the space with others."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through site limitations: At Fontainebleau State Park, Martha S. warns, "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."
Security considerations: Gated facilities provide peace of mind for RVers with valuable equipment. Alana F. mentions, "It's also secured for those that are worried, I know I was."
Campground shuttle services: Some locations offer transportation to tourist areas. "The KOA offers transportation to the French Quarter for free! It was such a nice perk!" shares Jen H. about French Quarter RV Resort.
Water pressure variations: Prepare with appropriate equipment for varying utility conditions. Ron R. advises, "The water quality is good. Bring a preasure regulator as it seems to be higher than normal preasure."
