Top RV Campgrounds in Louisiana and Florida

In a previous blog post, we looked at top RV Campgrounds in New Jersey and New York. Now, we’re heading south to check out the best RV campgrounds in Louisiana and Florida.

Camping in the South

There are a few things to remember when you are planning your camping trip to the Southern region of the U.S. 

Weather

Both Louisiana and Florida are considered semi-tropical climates. That means it gets sticky, hot and humid in the summer. 

It’s not unusual for summer daytime temperatures in the Big Easy to reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and that’s not adjusted for humidity. 

In Florida, the summer daytime average is high in the 90s,  and then add in humidity. If you want to get any kind of sleep, you’re going to need a camper/RV with air conditioning or a gazillion fans. 

Another fun aspect of summer in the South is a little something called hurricane season, which typically lasts from June to November, but really gets going in August and September. Both Florida and Louisiana have been in the direct path of hurricanes, so you might want to take that into account. 

When you are checking out campground options, ask about their hurricane cancellation policy. (Not all places will refund fees if you have to leave early due to Mother Nature.)

Also, semi-tropical means torrential rains, so always choose a campsite that is on a higher elevation. It might be romantic to camp beside the lake/river, but do you want to find out if your camper doubles as a pontoon boat?

Critters

Gators and snakes and spiders, oh my! Florida and Louisiana are both known for their critters. They both also have some poisonous plants, so it might not be the best time to try wild foraging if you are unfamiliar with the native plants.  

Be careful if you pick up firewood because snakes like snoozing under logs and don’t appreciate being woken up and tend to bite first. 

It’s always a good idea to ask when you check-in if there are critters you need to be aware of; practice safety measures (don’t leave food out on the picnic table—secure it in a tight, waterproof container inside a cooler.) 

Avoid washing your dishes in the water since gators will smell food and detect the movement, and come and investigate. Swimming in the water is a bad idea. Luckily, most RV parks have swimming pools. 

Shake out any blankets, towels, clothing etc., that have been lying on the ground or over a chair to dry, so you don’t get a nasty surprise and a bite. If you leave your shoes outside, tip them upside down and give them a shake before you put them on to evict any spiders or other creepy crawlies. 

Top 3 RV Campgrounds in Louisiana 

Northern Louisiana is the “Sportsman’s Paradise” with many bike trails, fresh and saltwater fishing, boating, watersports and family attractions like zoos, a gator park and the home of the American Rose Center. 

Southern Louisiana is home to New Orleans, bayous, fresh and saltwater fishing, and the whole state has amazing food with Creole, African and Cajun influences.

Here are the top three RV Campgrounds in Louisiana (in alphabetical order):

Pine Crest RV Park

2601 Old Spanish Trail
Slidell, LA 70461
(985) 649-3181
www.pinecrestrv.com

Close to the banks of Lake Pontchartrain and 30 minutes from New Orleans, Pine Crest RV Park offers a great base to explore the Big Easy and is an easy drive to the Audubon Nature Institute Zoo and Aquarium, museums, art galleries, swamp tours and golf courses. 

The Resort offers on-site laundry and bathing facilities and a kitchen so you can make yourself a coffee and relax while waiting for your laundry. They also offer rental cars so you can park and tour without trying to maneuver an RV through the French Quarter.

Details:

• Full hookups: Yes
• 30/50 amp: Both
• Back-in/pull-through sites: Both
• Showers: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes

Reunion Lake RV Park

43234 LA-445
Ponchatoula, LA 70454
(844) 336-4214
www.sunrvresorts.com/resorts/south/louisiana/reunion-lake-rv-resort

Located just 40 miles from the Big Easy, Reunion Lake RV Park is geared to families and adults equally. It offers a lazy river water feature, an adults-only swimming pool with a swim-up bar, and a family pool for splashing with the kids. 

It also offers concrete driving and parking pads, so you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in the mud if a sudden downpour hits. 

With daily, weekly and monthly rates available, as well as guest passes for your friends and family, an on-site gas bar, Sonic restaurant, onsite mini-golf, store and onsite laundry and showers, it offers a perfect base to explore southern Louisiana. 

Details:

• Full hookups: Yes
• 30/50 amp: Both
• Back-in/pull-through sites: Both
• Pool/hot tub: Both
• Showers: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes

River View RV Park & Resort

100 River View Parkway
Vidalia, LA 71373
(318) 336-1400
www.riverviewrvpark.com

Located on the western bank of the Mississippi River, 90 miles from Baton Rouge, River View RV Park and Resort is the perfect gateway to water sports fun and across a bridge from the oldest settlement on the river: Natchez, Mississippi. 

It offers on-site laundry, private showers and bathrooms, grass and concrete parking pads and a “workampers” program. The program offers discounts and things like free Wi-Fi and tokens for propane and laundry in exchange for 24 hours of work per week for couples and 20 hours per week for singles. Over-achievers can be paid an hourly wage once they fulfill the minimum number of hours. 

Details:

• Full hookups: Yes
• 30/50 amp: Both
• Back-in/pull-through sites: Both
• Pool/hot tub: Both
• Showers: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes

Top 4 RV Campgrounds in Florida

And now, let’s complete our southern swing with the top four RV campgrounds in Florida. We’ll take a sampling from the Gulf side, the Atlantic side, close to the home of a certain famous mouse and, of course, the Keys. 

Here are the top four RV Campgrounds in Florida (in alphabetical order):

Coral Sands RV Resort

1047 Ocean Shore Blvd
Ormond Beach, FL 32176
(386) 441-1831
coralsandsinn.com/rv-resort 

Located just north of Daytona Beach on the Atlantic side of Florida, Coral Sands RV Resort offers the best of both worlds, with a full hotel on-site and RV spots that give access to all the hotel amenities, including laundry, oceanfront heated pool, private beach and Wi-Fi. 

Details:

• Full hookups: Yes (33 RV spaces) 
• 30/50 amp: Both
• Back-in/pull-through sites: Back in
• Pool/hot tub: Pool 
• Showers: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

4510 N Fort Wilderness Trail
Orlando, FL 32830
(407) 824-2900
disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/resorts/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort

For some people, Florida is all about “The Mouse.” Some people don’t realize that you can camp right on the resort and visit any of the four theme parks with a short bus or ferry ride. 

Whether you rent an RV when you arrive or drive your own, staying in the Disney park is an added advantage of some of the comforts of home, with bonuses like a working horse ranch or campfire sing-along with Chip ‘n’ Dale.

Details:

• Full hookups: Yes
• 30/50 amp: Both
• Showers: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes
• Cell reception: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes

Emerald Beach RV Park

8885 Navarre Pkwy
Navarre, FL 32566
(850) 939-3431
www.emeraldbeachrvpark.com

Located in the Florida panhandle on the Gulf Coast side, 19 miles from Pensacola and the National Naval Aviation Museum, Emerald Beach RV Park has onsite laundry, showers, a private beach and pier where you can fish without a license, eat ice cream, get camping supplies, propane and pool toys, too.  

Located on Santa Rosa Sound, the park offers both gulf and beach lots.

Details:

• Full hookups (30/50amp)
• Free digital cable
• Free basic Wi-Fi (not set up to stream or do work/school)
• 300-foot pier; guests can fish off the pier without a license
• 24-hour laundry room
• Heated pool in winter season
• Showers: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes (no Rottweilers or Pit Bulls, maximum three pets per site)

Grassy Key RV Park & Resort

58671 Overseas Hwy
Marathon, FL 33050
(305) 289-1606
www.grassykeyrvpark.com 

Finally, maybe your dream is to participate in the Ernest Hemingway lookalike contest in Key West. Even in the Florida Keys, you can find a place for your RV.

Located in the heart of the Keys, with easy access to Key Largo and Key West, the Grassy Key RV Park and Resort is on the Gulf of Mexico side of the Florida Keys and has a boat launch and dock, a private beach, onsite laundry and paddleboard/kayak launch.

Details:

• Full hookups: Yes
• 30/50 amp: Both
• Back-in/pull-through sites: Both
• Pool: Yes
• Pets allowed: Yes (cannot be left attended on the site)
• Wi-Fi: Yes

Camping in a camper, camper van or RV gives you the comforts of home, some personal space and can be a more affordable option than staying in a hotel. Get out and explore with these top RV campgrounds in Florida and Louisiana. 

And then when the fun is over and you need a place to park your RV, check out our locations in Louisiana and Florida. And don’t forget to follow all the best practices when storing your RV so that you can protect that investment and have many more years of fun ahead.