The New Orleans area is most famous for the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, and Mardi Gras celebrations, but it is also well-known for its wetlands and wildlife. One place you can experience the remarkable environment of the region yourself is to visit Fontainebleau State Park.

Situated on the opposite side of Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, Fontainebleau State Park is a former 19th-century sugar plantation reborn as a park in the 20th century. RV travelers will find much to do and enjoy when they visit Fontainebleau State Park.

Fontainebleau State Park Facts

• Fontainebleau State Park began life as a sugar mill founded by Bernard de Marigny in 1829 and was developed as such until 1852.
• Marigny named his plantation after his favorite Parisian forest, Fontainebleau.
• The plantation was converted into Tchefuncte Park in 1938 and opened as Fontainebleau State Park in 1943.
• Three sides of Fontainebleau State Park's 2,800 acres are bordered by water, thanks to Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou Cane, and Bayou Castine.
• 400 species of birds and other animals call Fontainebleau State Park home.
• Popular activities at Fontainebleau State Park include hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, and bird watching.

Fontainebleau State Park Tips

• There's a $3/person entry fee to visit Fontainebleau State Park (though it is free for seniors age 62 and older and kids age 3 and under).
• While Fontainebleau State Park is located across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, you can cut across the lake via the 23-mile-long Causeway Bridge (which is the world's longest bridge over a body of water).
• The gates of Fontainebleau State Park are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• There is no shop in Fontainebleau State Park, so if going for a picnic or to stay overnight, stop in nearby Mandeville, Louisiana first for supplies.

Best Fontainebleau State Park RV Campgrounds

The key to an enjoyable camping experience at, or at least near, Fontainebleau State Park is to find a great campground. These are a few of the best Fontainebleau State Park RV campgrounds you should consider!

Fontainebleau State Park Campground

When visiting Fontainebleau State Park, why not set up camp at the park's own campground? There's no need to wait for the gates to open to enjoy it all! If staying overnight and need to clean your clothes, you will definitely enjoy making use of the free laundry facilities. There is also Wi-Fi, and all sites have fire rings, grills, and picnic tables.

Capacity: 106 RV sites

More Information: Fontainebleau State Park Campground

Pine Crest RV Park

Pine Crest RV Park, located in Slidell, Louisiana, is just 30 minutes away from Fontainebleau State Park, making it a convenient locale to park your rig. They have free Wi-Fi, clean bathhouses, laundry facilities, and propane for sale. You can enjoy their peaceful on-site lakes, or venture across Lake Pontchartrain to New Orleans to let the good times roll.

Capacity: 202 RV sites

More Information: Pine Crest RV Park

Fireside RV Resort

Thirty-five minutes away from Fontainebleau State Park is Fireside RV Resort, which offers a clean, safe, and quiet home for you and your rig for the duration of your stay near Fontainebleau State Park. A variety of pools await kids, adults, and the whole family (all open from April to October). There's also a climbing wall, kayaking (from April to October), horseshoe pits, a playground for the kids, and golf carts for rent.

Capacity: 163 RV sites

More Information: Fireside RV Resort

Fairview-Riverside State Park

Another state park option for camping, Fairview-Riverside State Park is a mere 20-minute drive from Fontainebleau State Park. Billed as one of the most peaceful camping experiences in Louisiana, this campground on the Tchefuncte River offers a nature trail, picnic tables, and a comfort station. If Fontainebleau State Park's campground is full, this is a great backup option.

Capacity: 81 RV sites

More Information: Fairview-Riverside State Park

Things To Do in Fontainebleau State Park

Hiking. Hikers have a choice between a 4.8-mile hiking trail or a 1.25-mile nature trail with interpretive signs helping identify trees and shrubs.

Birding. Hundreds of bird species live in and around Fontainebleau State Park, making it a veritable paradise for avid bird watchers.

Swimming. Lake Pontchartrain is great for swimming, offering a cool and refreshing escape from the heat and humidity typical of a Louisiana summer.

Biking. Go for a ride on the Tammany Trace Trail-Way, a paved trail that cuts through Fontainebleau State Park.

Learn History. During your visit, you can learn about the history of the slaves who lived on the Fontainebleau plantation. As the area was also home to Native Americans prior to European settlement, a historic marker is dedicated to them as well.

Visit Fontainebleau State Park With Cruise America

Fontainebleau State Park offers so much to RV travelers that you're going to want to stay in the area for a while to take it all in. To make the most of your stay, you're going to want the perfect RV rental, and Cruise America can help you find it.

With a huge selection of modern RVs in a variety of lengths and floorplans packed with amenities, Cruise America can get you on the road to Fontainebleau State Park in style and safety. Ready to go? Get in touch with Cruise America now!