Your Guide to Camping in Louisiana State Parks

Our state parks are great for day trips, but we have plenty of options to kick back, relax and stay the night as well. Whether you prefer camping on wheels, by tent or in cabins, Louisiana has the perfect choice for you to enjoy our Sportsman’s Paradise.

Types of Camping in Louisiana State Parks

RV Camping in Louisiana

If you’re driving in your own accommodations, you can take your pick of almost any state park. Favorite parks among RVers are Fairview-Riverside State Park on Louisiana’s Northshore, a quiet retreat 45 minutes from New Orleans which offers 22 prime location sites and 59 improved campsites, all with water and electrical hookups. Lake Claiborne State Park, up north between Shreveport and Monroe, is home to 20 premium campsites (including 12 pull-through sites) and 67 improved campsites, each with water and electrical hookups.

Chicot State Park is located in the middle of the state, so you can hub-and-spoke out to any of your favorite cities, plus the 198 improved campsites feature water and electrical hookups — perfect for a weeklong summer vacation. It’s a favorite among hikers for the trails that wind through the old-growth forest. Additionally, the Louisiana State Arboretum next door offers walking trails, nature programs and children’s activities.

Tent Camping Sites at Louisiana State Parks

Tent camping, like real estate, is all about location. South Toledo Bend State Park on Louisiana’s western border has five tent camping spots on a bluff overlooking the Toledo Bend Reservoir, a picturesque body of water nationally renowned for its bass fishing.

Fontainebleau State Park, on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain, hosts 37 unimproved campsites, plus two hiking trails, a beautiful sandy beach and an all-inclusive playground for children of varying ages and abilities. Chicot State Park is a popular choice for both RVers and tent campers. With budget-friendly backcountry campsites and a primitive camping area, a boat launch, 400-foot fishing pier and hiking and canoe trails, it’s easy to spend a long weekend exploring Louisiana’s natural beauty. At Tickfaw State Park, choose from 20 unimproved campsites with water hookups. Visitors can rent canoes and explore the cypress/tupelo swamp.

Cypremort Point State Park — only a few miles from the Gulf — offers five unimproved campsites. Catch some rays on a half-mile man-made beach, then catch some fish for dinner on the 100-foot fishing area. Want to camp right on the beach? Head to Grand Isle State Park, where you can let the waves lull you to sleep in your comfy beach tent.

Backcountry & Primitive Camping

Prefer the unadulterated great outdoors? Some Louisiana state parks allow backcountry and primitive camping.

Palmetto Island State Park in Abbeville features several backcountry campsites and a primitive campground nestled among the trees and palmetto plants, giving guests a front-row seat to the symphony of native animal sounds from the nearby swamps.

In St. Martinville, Lake Fausse Pointe State Park sits within the nation’s largest river swamp, the Atchafalaya Basin. Campers can choose from five canoe campsites (accessible by water only), seven backcountry campsites and a primitive camping area.

Louisiana Cabin Rentals

If you're more into glamping than camping, check out Poverty Point Reservoir State Park in the northeast corner of Louisiana. Poverty Point’s over-water cabins and lodges mean luxury with a view. The deluxe cabins sleep up to 8 people, and the lodges offer comfort for up to 10. All lodging comes with basic cookware, cooking utensils, dinnerware, silverware, towels and linens. Stay awhile and explore the adjacent UNESCO World Heritage site.

After a day of mountain biking in Bogue Chitto State Park, located in the "toe" of Louisiana, you'll return to a deluxe cabin that's outfitted with all the comforts of home. Select from four deluxe cabins that sleep up to 8 people, or host the whole family in a deluxe lodge, sleeping up to 14. The nearby river is a great spot for rockhounding. Look closely and you might find agates, jasper or even petrified wood.

And the cabins over Lake Pontchartrain in Fontainebleau State Park are an idyllic base for exploring nature trails, the remains of a former sugar mill and more. The 12 deluxe cabins offer lodging for up to 8, and the lodge can sleep up to 10 people.

The two standard cabins at Lake Bruin State Park are perfect for a quaint lakeside retreat, sleeping up to 4 people in a cozy atmosphere. Anglers can cast a line for largemouth bass in the early spring and fall, and families can enjoy the water playground during the warm spring and summer months.

Visit the Louisiana State Parks site for more information or to book your stay at any of the state’s beautiful properties. Whatever accommodations you choose, you’ll enjoy the storied outdoors of the Bayou State, and you’ll never be far from the cuisine, music and culture that make Louisiana one of America’s most exciting treasures.

Louisiana State Parks Camping Amenities & Features

While amenities vary from park to park — and even by campsite — there are a few fairly standard features in each state park.

Every park offers access to bathrooms, some with bathhouses and comfort stations, which include showers and laundry. Certain state parks also offer RV campsites with sewer hookups, including Bogue Chitto, Chemin-A-Haut, Cypremort Point, Fontainebleau, Palmetto Island, Poverty Point Reservoir, Sam Houston Jones and Tickfaw state parks.

Can’t live without WiFi? Most parks also offer wireless internet access, but some parks may experience spotty reception or slow service. Those areas are typically scheduled for equipment replacement or repair. To see if a park’s service is down, check the Louisiana State Parks website.

Many state parks also have visitor centers, including interpretive centers with museums or nature facilities. South Toledo Bend State Park is home to an impressive visitor center with an open-air breezeway and observation deck. Tickfaw State Park’s Nature Center features exhibitions about local plant and animal life, plus a gift shop for souvenirs.

Looking to host a meeting or family reunion? Many Louisiana state parks also have meeting rooms and outdoor pavilions. Bogue Chitto State Park offers a meeting room with capacity for 150 people, as well as three outdoor pavilions with a maximum of 50 people each. Fontainebleau State Park has a meeting room for 50 people, with conference and theater setups, plus an outdoor pavilion for 100. For a full list of meeting rooms and pavilions, visit the Louisiana State Parks website.

Top Louisiana State Parks for Camping

Each of Louisiana’s state parks is unique — in atmosphere, amenities, offerings and personality.

Many campers agree that Chicot State Park’s sheer size, as well as its variety of outdoor activities and abundance of improved, backcountry and primitive campsites make it perfect for a weekend camping getaway. Fontainebleau, Lake Fausse Point and Bogue Chitto state parks all offer exceptional camping experiences, plus access to water for canoeing, kayaking or fishing.

Families love Grand Isle State Park for its spectacular Gulf beach, with calm waters perfect for swimming. Visitors can also spot migrating birds, go fishing or crabbing, or just relax on the sun-warmed sand.

How to Book & What It Costs

All reservations can be made through the Louisiana State Parks portal. Whether you’re reserving a campsite, booking a cabin or lodge, planning an event or purchasing daily park passes, guests must use the reservation website.

Choose whether you’re reserving a campsite or day-use rental, staying the night at a cabin or lodge, or purchasing a daily park pass, then select your desired facility and date range. You’ll log in or create an account, then choose your desired cabin, campsite, lodge or rental facility. Reservations can be made 13 months to the day of arrival on the portal or by calling the reservation center at 833-609-0686.

Campsite, cabin and lodge prices vary depending on the park. You can see prices on the Louisiana State Parks website or reservation portal.

Other Things to Do in Louisiana State Parks

Louisiana’s nearly two dozen state parks offer something for everyone. Equestrians, anglers, birders, families and solo travelers can each find an exceptional outdoor adventure — we are called Sportsman’s Paradise, after all!

At Fairview-Riverside State Park, visitors can catch bass, bluegill, redfish and speckled trout, or try crabbing in the river. Casual hikers will enjoy nature trails overlooking the incredibly photogenic Tchefuncte River.

Jimmie Davis State Park is popular with anglers, cyclists and campers, and Sam Houston Jones State Park features five hiking trails, including one leading to a historical stagecoach road.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places to camp in Louisiana?

Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, for example, sits within the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest river swamp in the country. What remains of this cypress forest swamp is protected by conservation groups, making every paddle or hike perfect for wildlife sightings.

Staying at state parks, like Chicot State Park and Poverty Point World Heritage Site, also means access to free, ranger-led activities such as guided hikes and kayaking trips.

RVers will love the ease of Fontainebleau State Park’s 23 premium pull-through campsites, and adventurous campers can enjoy the backcountry and primitive camping areas at Palmetto Island State State Parks. Lake D’Arbonne State Park is perfect for families, with premium and improved campsites, plus beautifully appointed deluxe cabins and lodges. Many other Louisiana state parks also have cabins and lodges, including Cypremort Point, Bayou Segnette and Chemin-A-Haut State Parks.

How much does it cost to camp in Louisiana state parks?

Costs vary from park to park, and by the type of camping. The most budget-friendly options are primitive and backcountry camping, while deluxe cabins and lodges can be more expensive.

Is there a senior discount for Louisiana state parks?

Yes, Louisiana state parks offer senior discounts for day-use entry. Lodging discounts, however, are only available for visitors who hold an America the Beautiful pass and whose home state parks system honors the American the Beautiful passes for overnight discounts.

Are there camping restrictions in Louisiana?

Yes, Louisiana state parks do have camping restrictions. Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed structures, and the consumption of alcoholic beverages is only allowed within reserved campsites or reserved group shelters. Alcohol consumption is prohibited in every other area.

All campfires must be kept in designated areas, and campers should never leave a campfire unattended.

Visitors to campsites are welcome; however, the number of visitors and registered guests must not exceed the stated occupancy limit at any time. Visitors must leave prior to closing times, and all group gatherings must conclude before 10 p.m.

For a full list of Louisiana state parks policies, visit the Louisiana state parks website.

What’s the best time to camp in Louisiana?

It depends on what kind of camping experience you’re after, as each season brings something different to Louisiana’s state parks.

Fall is a popular time to hit the trails. On cooler days in October and November, the weather is ideal for hiking, especially in hardwood forests where the leaves are turning. Fewer insects and milder temps make for a comfortable trip. Spring is perfect for wildflower lovers and birders. Native irises pop in April, wild azaleas bloom in March, and spring migration brings colorful birds through the region. It’s also prime time for spotting wading birds, which begin nesting in colonies this time of year. Summer brings the heat, but also the color and energy of Louisiana’s wild outdoors. Butterflies, wildflowers and sun-loving animals are out in force, and water activities like kayaking, fishing and swimming at park beaches are at their best. Winter is the time to cozy up in a cabin, enjoy a campfire and take in the quiet beauty of the parks. Some host special holiday events with festive trail lights, local food and family-friendly activities.

What should I pack for camping?

While packing lists usually depend on the season, there are a few staples campers should always travel with. We recommend bringing layers for warm afternoons and chilly nights, your tent, sleeping bag, extra blankets and pillows, and any furniture, lighting and safety gear. We also recommend a compass or GPS, first-aid kit and state park map (downloaded or paper), in case of emergencies. You can bring cooking equipment and utensils, but be sure to store all food securely to avoid animal thieves. And rain can be unpredictable in the South — be prepared for random showers with umbrellas, rain jackets and ponchos.

Louisiana is famous for many things: our music, food, joie de vivre — and mosquitos. Bring insect repellent, citronella candles, after-bite cream and even a mosquito net, if necessary. This list is hardly exhaustive, so check camping websites and don’t be afraid to ask our rangers for advice!

And don’t forget the golden rule of camping: Leave no trace. Leave with everything you came with, properly dispose of waste and don’t take rocks or artifacts with you.