Camping Gems - Louisiana

Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve
The preserve’s 20,000 acres include bayous, swamps, marshes, forests, alligators, nutrias, and over 300 species of birds. Boardwalk and dirt trails wind through the preserve and waterways can be explored by canoe or kayak. Park rangers also offer guided walks, canoe treks, and birdwatching hikes.

Bayou Segnette State Park
Set on the narrow neck of land between Lake Cataouatche and Lake Pontchartrain, this park gives you access to superb fishing, canoeing, boating, and wildlife viewing.  Catch some bass or catfish, take the kids to the wave pool, or explore the nature trail.

Louisiana Crawfish Festival, Chalmette
Ready to taste Louisiana's famous delicacy, served up right?  Then head to Chalmette for the 4-day festival, held each year in late March.  Mmm-mmm-mmm!

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, Baton Rouge
From the exhibits of the Nature Center to the 65-acre cypress-tupelo swamp, this is the perfect place to explore wild Louisiana.  Take a hike through the magnolia-beech upland hardwood forest, follow the boardwalks, and watch for wildlife: raccoons, foxes, bobcats, snakes, turtles and alligators.

America's Wetland Birding Trail
This is the last leg of a network of birding trails that runs all across the Gulf of Mexico.  In Louisiana, the trail has 115 sites that include a wide variety of habitats -- fresh and saltwater marshes, cheniers, upland pines, cypress-tupelo swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, and open meadows. Keep your binoculars and bird guide handy!

Driskill Mountain 
Climb Louisiana's highest mountain!  At 535 feet, Driskill is very climbable (it's technically a tall hill, but who's counting?)  Driskill Mountain is located southeast of Bryceland in Bienville Parish.

English Turn Golf & Country Club
Golfers take note -- if you dream of playing on the same course as your where the pros play, head to the English Turn course near New Orleans.  This is the home of the Zurich Classic, a tournament that draws the very best in the game.

Creole Nature Trail National Scenic Byway
Set in the heel of Louisiana's boot, this beautiful route winds through marshes, prairies, and along the Gulf of Mexico. This is Louisiana's true outback, a land filled with birds, colorful wildflowers, rare cheniers, alligators, and salty breezes.

Vermilionville, Lafayette
This living history museum highlights the way people lived in the bayou areas between 1765 and 1890. You'll learn about Cajun and Creole culture, see 18 rebuilt historic buildings, and learn about local crafts and cuisine. Don't miss lunch at La Cuisine de Maman, the full-service Cajun/Creole restaurant.

Festival International de Louisiane
Explore the culture, music, and heritage of France as it has blended with Caribbean, African, and Spanish influences in Louisiana.  This is the largest outdoor free concert of its type in the world.