If the past year has left you feeling more ready for a vacation than ever, a summer camping trip may sound like a great idea—but do you really want to do all that packing, unpacking, repacking and unpacking again when you return?
Why not consider a glamping trip instead? For the uninitiated, it’s camping with a bit of an upgrade (and glamour) thrown in. The glamping trend is growing worldwide, but Louisiana offers plenty of places and opportunities to do it your way.
Glamping experiences are as unique as the families who plan them. If you already own an RV or camper, you can add a touch of “home comfort” with a bit of redecorating. For ways to glam up your camping vehicle, try these starters. If you want to accessorize your campsite, as well, we have ideas for that transformation, as well.
If you’re ready for a turnkey glam experience, the Louisiana State Parks have made it easy for you to book your stay online at any of eight parks—from sandy beaches to quiet bayous, lakefronts, pine forests and more. The parks have partnered with Tentrr to let visitors camp in style with fully-equipped, safari-style tents.
If you book your experience through Tentrr.com here’s what you can expect at your campsite:
- A pre-set sturdy canvas tent on its own wooden deck platform
- A queen-sized bed with memory foam mattress and side tables
- A propane tent heater
- A picnic table, fire pit with a grill, solar shower, and portable camp loo
- All locations (except for Grand Isle State Park beaches) welcome pets on leashes.
Whichever way you choose to glamp, the principle is the same: enjoy the outdoors activities of fishing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, whatever—and come back “home” each evening to relax and take in the sunset in the best of comfort. We highlight some examples at several Louisiana State Parks here to give you an idea of what glamping in Louisiana is all about, but your options are limitless.
Fontainebleau State Park
Rich in history (don’t miss the crumbling brick ruins of a sugar mill built in 1829) and natural beauty, this 2,800-acre park is located on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Glampers can laze on its sandy beach, explore the nature trail, or hop on their bikes and head for the old railroad track that has been converted into the Tammany Trace. Now it’s a great route for cycling, hiking, and in-line skating. Enjoy the campgrounds and lakefront cabin settings.
The fact that the park is bordered on three sides by water–Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou Cane and Bayou Castine–has resulted in a convergence of diverse ecosystems, creating a multitude of habitats for birds. The presence of more than 400 animal species in the area makes for frequent sightings.
Address
62883 LA-1089
Mandeville, LA 70448 (map)
Admission and Hours
Admission and hours of operation.
Website
lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/fontainebleau-state-park
Grand Isle State Park
Experience Louisiana at the very edge of the Bayou State. If you enjoy fishing, birding, swimming, crabbing, hiking, sunning, boating, or just relaxing, you’ll love glamping at Grand Isle State Park. Serving as a breakwater between the gulf and its inland channels connecting it to the Mississippi River’s bayou tributaries, Grand Isle is actually a beach ridge formed by the wave action of the gulf.
Its biggest event each year is the Tarpon Fishing Rodeo, held each July. Begun in 1928, it is the oldest such tournament in the United States, attracting thousands each year.
Thanks to its warm gulf waters, Grand Isle State Park is open for swimmers most of the year. The town of Grand Isle offers shopping, dining, four playgrounds, a tennis and volleyball court and other amenities and more. A year-round calendar of events (including the June 10 Farm Bureau Fishing Rodeo at the Bridge Side Marina) means there’s always something fun to check out.
Grand Isle also attracts a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. The Grand Isle Migratory Bird Celebration is celebrated every year, with this year’s event tentatively scheduled for November 6 and 7.
Address
108 Admiral Craik Dr
Grand Isle, LA 70358 (map)
Admission and Hours
Admission and hours of operation
Website
lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/grand-isle-state-park
Jimmie Davis State Park
Yes, there are beaches in north Louisiana! Jimmie Davis State Park offers such a wide array of activities, you won’t believe how close this great glamping destination is!
Located on a peninsula on Caney Lake, this park boasts two boat launches and a fishing pier that make it easy for any angler to snag a prime freshwater fishing spot. You’ll also love water skiing on the clear lake waters. And then there’s swimming, boating and paddling in your canoe or kayak—and these are just the water activities.
When it’s time to step back on dry land, enjoy a family beachside picnic in one of the outdoor pavilions.
Cyclists can then head for the park’s access to biking treks through the nearby hills, and nature enthusiasts can hike through the mixed pine and hardwood forest surrounding the lake. Wildlife and bird sightings are plentiful, so bring your binoculars to get a closer look.
The kids (and some grown-ups) will love the onsite water playground, operating Tuesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. RVs are welcome.
Address
1209 State Park Rd
Chatham, LA 71226 (map)
Admission and Hours
Admission and hours of operation
Website
lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/jimmie-davis-state-park
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
A glamping trip to Lake Fausse Pointe State Park will be a trip like no other.
Located at the edge of a beautiful water wilderness, this park occupies a 6,000-acre site in the Atchafalaya Basin. Fishing, boating, and canoeing opportunities offer an opportunity to explore natural sites unique to Louisiana.
A boat launch allows easy access to the maze of waterways that winds through the Basin. Boat docks with rentals are available, and there are three marked hiking trails and a canoe trail for a real close-up view of native plant foliage and wildlife.
Address
5400 Levee Rd
St Martinville, LA 70582 (map)
Website
lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/lake-fausse-pointe-state-park
Admission and Hours
Admission and hours of operation
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