5 Stunning State Parks Near New Orleans Where You Can Camp All Year-Round
Since we don’t experience the harsh winters that our northern counterparts do, we are lucky enough to be able to explore the outdoors year-round. When you’re looking for an adventure with your friends or family, consider heading over to one of these stunning state parks near New Orleans for a camping trip you’ll never forget. Experience the unique beauty this captivating state has to offer!
About 1.5 hours from New Orleans, the Bogue Chitto State Park is definitely worth the road trip. The 1,786 acre park features beautiful cypress tupelo swamps, a hardwood forest, rolling hills, and mesmerizing river views. The hiking trails will lead you through some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the area, and there’s also a 14 mile equestrian trail if you want to bring your horse out for an adventure. Read more about Bogue Chitto State Park in this article.
Just a short drive from the city and you can be surrounded by a beautiful natural setting. Bayou Segnette State Park features some amazing floating cabins for you to spend you weekend, as well as ample fishing opportunities, canoeing, hiking, and more. Read more about Bayou Segnette State Park in this article.
Located on the northshore against the banks of Lake Pontchartrain, Fontainebleau State Park is a perfect destination for anyone looking to get away for a couple of days without having to travel very far. From the sugar mill ruins to the scenic trails and wide open green spaces, you’re sure to have an incredible time at this lovely state park. Read more about Fontainebleau State Park in this article.
4. St. Bernard State Park
Saint Bernard Park Way, St Bernard Park Way, Louisiana, USA
Perfect for the family, there’s something for everyone at St. Bernard State Park. Located in Braithwaite, this park was established when a local family donated the land in 1971. The 358 acre state park is right along the Mississippi River, featuring several man-made lagoons that offer delightfully scenic views. The Chalmette National Historic Park is nearby, a great pitstop for history lovers. Read more about St. Bernard State Park on the official website.
Perhaps one of the most scenic state parks in the area, the Tickfaw State Park is worth the hour drive. This unique park features four ecosystems and over a mile of boardwalk trails, allowing visitors to experience a cypress tupelo swamp, a bottomland hardwood forest, a mixed pine forest, and the Tickfaw River. Due to its proximity to the river, this park is subject to flooding, so be sure to check the weather forecast before you head over. Learn more on TripAdvisor.
What’s your favorite state park in Louisiana? Let us know in the comments below! We love hearing from you, and you might just see your favorite featured in an article someday!
Address: 7777 Westbank Expy, Westwego, LA 70094, USA
Address: Saint Bernard Park Way, St Bernard Park Way, Louisiana, USA
Address: 62883 LA-1089, Mandeville, LA 70448, USA
Address: 17049 State Park Blvd, Franklinton, LA 70438, USA
Address: 27225 Patterson Rd, Springfield, LA 70462, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks Near New Orleans
January 10, 2022
Tori Jane
Where can I find good hiking around New Orleans?
Just because Louisiana isn’t the most mountainous state in the country doesn’t mean it isn’t full of amazing hiking trails all the same! You can find all sorts of amazing hiking opportunities in and around New Orleans. Among our favorites are the amazing Jean Lafitte National Park, an absolutely incredible swampland with incredible trails well worth an adventure on. The Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is another good one; it’s a 23,000-acre paradise and it’s actually the largest in the country. If you’re a fan of wildlife refuges, you’ll love Big Branch National Wildlife refuge, too, where you can spot all sorts of amazing wild critters just outside the city! If you’re willing to scoot to Mississippi for a hot moment, you’ll want to check out the Crosby Arboretum while you’re there. It’s amazing! For more information on each of these and then some, check out this fascinating article of the top nine places to go hiking near New Orleans.
What are the best state parks near New Orleans?
New Orleans is a great starting point for those seeking amazing state and national parks to make forever memories in! There are the ones we mentioned above – Jean Lafitte National Park, the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, and the Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge, but those aren’t the only ones. There are four more National Parks in Louisiana, including the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, Poverty Point National Monument, and Vicksburg National Military Park. There is also the Barataria Preserve, which is a truly unique place to visit, and Grand Isle State Park is to die for. Louisiana is a state that we think folks shouldn’t sleep on; it’s a place of rich cultural and natural history, and we couldn’t love it more.
Address: 7777 Westbank Expy, Westwego, LA 70094, USA
Address: Saint Bernard Park Way, St Bernard Park Way, Louisiana, USA
Address: 62883 LA-1089, Mandeville, LA 70448, USA
Address: 17049 State Park Blvd, Franklinton, LA 70438, USA
Address: 27225 Patterson Rd, Springfield, LA 70462, USA
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