RV Parks In Belle Chasse, Louisiana

Belle Chasse sits on the west bank of the Mississippi River, about 15 miles south of New Orleans, where the river starts its final push toward the Gulf of Mexico. This working-class town serves as a staging ground for RVers who want access to the Big Easy without paying French Quarter prices or navigating tight urban streets with a 40-foot rig.

You've got several campgrounds to choose from here, and here's the kicker -- some of them won't cost you a dime. That's right, free camping this close to New Orleans. The mix includes everything from basic overnight parking to riverside spots with decent amenities. Most are straightforward pull-throughs designed for quick stops, though a few offer longer-term options if you're planning to use Belle Chasse as your base for exploring south Louisiana.

From your campsite, you're 20 minutes from Jackson Square and beignets at Café du Monde. Head south instead and you'll hit the fishing villages of Plaquemines Parish, where charter boats leave daily for redfish and speckled trout. The Barataria Preserve, part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, is just up Highway 45 -- boardwalk trails through cypress swamps where you'll see gators, herons, and the occasional nutria. Fort Jackson, a pre-Civil War star fort, sits about 30 minutes downriver and makes for a solid half-day trip.

If you're the type who needs full hookups and a pool, you've got a couple of traditional RV parks here. Prefer to boondock? Several of those free spots work just fine for self-contained rigs. Budget travelers will appreciate the savings -- stay free in Belle Chasse and spend your money on po'boys and museum tickets in New Orleans instead. The town itself is quiet, mostly residential, with a Walmart and a few chain restaurants for stocking up.

Summer here is brutal -- we're talking 95°F with swamp humidity that makes your rig's AC work overtime. Spring and fall are your sweet spots, with mild temps and lower chances of rain. Winter is surprisingly busy with snowbirds heading to or from Texas and Florida. Book ahead if you're coming during Mardi Gras season (January through February), as everything within 50 miles of New Orleans fills up fast.

Scroll down to see the full lineup of campgrounds. We've got the details on which ones are free, which offer hookups, and what you can expect at each.

Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Belle Chasse, Louisiana, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.

Here's the money situation: some of several campgrounds (a portion%) are free, while a portion% charge a nightly rate. That's an unusually high percentage of free camping for an area this close to a major city, so take advantage if your rig can handle dry camping.

Paid campgrounds run about $35-$50 per night for full hookups, which is reasonable for the region. You're not paying resort prices, but you're getting clean facilities and reliable power. Some offer weekly rates that drop the daily cost to $30-$35 if you're planning an extended stay.

Summer rates stay pretty flat -- it's too hot for peak pricing. Expect slight increases during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest (late April), when anything near New Orleans gets more expensive. Book those periods at least two months out or you'll be scrambling.

Good Sam and Passport America discounts apply at a couple of the paid parks. If you've got those memberships, you're looking at $25-$30 per night, which is a solid deal this close to the French Quarter. Harvest Hosts doesn't have locations right in Belle Chasse, but there are a few farms and wineries within 30 miles if you're into that style of camping.

Groceries cost about the same as anywhere in Louisiana. Fuel is typically a few cents cheaper than New Orleans proper, so fill up here before heading into the city.