West Monroe, Louisiana sits near the eastern edge of the Ouachita River at an elevation of about 75 feet above sea level. The area features a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, mild winters, and annual rainfall of approximately 54 inches. Camping options span from basic dispersed sites in wildlife management areas to fully-equipped RV parks that provide shelter during the region's frequent thunderstorms.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Cheniere Lake Park offers unique fishing among cypress trees. "Very pretty and quiet location... Some of the campsites are very pretty overlooking the lake and the cypress trees. The scenery is unique and beautiful," notes Cheri H.
Visit local wineries: Camp at Landry Vineyards Grape Escape RV Sites and taste local wines. "Am amazing area for an overnight stop. The vinyard is clean and the space for parking was a great spot. Don't miss this one. Have a flight of wine and cheese sit back and enjoy," writes Craig I.
Mountain biking: Lincoln Parish Park features nationally recognized mountain bike trails. "11 mile trail system for hiking/mt bike. Exceptional mt bike course," according to Brett B., who also mentions the "Big lake with beach(seasonal)" and "Big Playground for young kids."
What campers like
Convenient interstate access: Many travelers appreciate how accessible Ouachita RV Park is for overnight stays. "This little RV park is less than 5 minutes off I-20 in north east Louisiana. Being that close, I thought it would have been really loud, but it wasn't! I heard more birds than anything," shares Cat R.
Free primitive camping: Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area offers basic sites for those who don't need amenities. "For quick free road side camping this is the spot! Easy parking, Zero cops, had a campfire, cooked food, slept in my hammock right between the wildlife sign," writes Harrison M. Note that a reviewer in 2023 mentioned "5 dollar permit required now!!"
Level sites: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near West Monroe feature easy setup. "The site was flat, we didn't even have to unhook our trailer," reports Alison C. about her stay at Landry Vineyards, while Jeff B. notes that Ouachita RV Park is "clean, quiet and very easy to get in and out of."
What you should know
Campground conditions vary widely: Quality ranges from pristine to problematic. One camper at Russell Sage WMA reported finding "human feces" and "the amount of garbage and trash around the camping area" made them advise: "don't stay here unless you absolutely have to."
Bathroom facilities: Not all pet-friendly camping areas near West Monroe maintain clean restrooms. Kelly S. noted about Ouachita RV Park: "the bathrooms are NASTY. Smell like urine and there is black mold across the back wall and floor in the showers."
Weather considerations: The area experiences frequent thunderstorms in spring and summer. At Pavilion RV Park, one camper mentioned: "The layout is a bit tricky to navigate with a trailer, spots are close and the turns are sharp with bad angles."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lincoln Parish Park offers extensive play areas for children. "Our favorites are the walking/biking paths, fishing, feeding ducks, big playgrounds, and well-planned, level sites," shares Carrie I.
Swimming options: Some parks provide water recreation. "Big lake with beach(seasonal)," mentions Brett B. about Lincoln Parish Park, making it a good dog-friendly camping option near West Monroe for summer visits.
Safety considerations: Cheniere Lake Park provides regular security. "Sheriff's department is nearby and they patrol frequently so you feel very safe. You can hear the firing range in the distance," notes Cheri H., though she also mentions the lack of showers and toilets.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many sites are designed for easy setup. Roscoe's R. shared about Ouachita RV Park: "nice little campground, our site was LEVEL!!! gravel site, pulled in, put the truck in park and we were almost perfectly level."
Road access challenges: Some parks have difficult entry routes. Regarding Landry Vineyards, Steven V. explained: "Turns to the upper level of parking sites were a bit tight, but not difficult to manage. We were towing an automobile behind the motorhome."
Seasonal events: Schedule your stay to coincide with special activities. "We were able to time it to coincide with a Saturday afternoon/evening event there at the vineyard and it was spectacular," says Mike T. about Landry Vineyards, adding they "enjoyed live music and fantastic wines."
