Venture deep into the Louisiana bayou to find the southern natural beauty of Lake Fausse Pointe State Park. Situated in the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest swamp in the United States, if you’ve ever wanted to get up close and personal with ‘gators in Cajun country, this RV stop is for you. The 6,000-acre park is renowned for fishing, boating, and canoeing opportunities provided by the labyrinth of waterways that run through the swamp basin. Mild winters and hot summers keep visitors coming year-round. Drive your rig through picturesque backwaters and back in time for an off-the-grid adventure.
Visitors will appreciate the rich cultural history of the area, from the original Chitimacha Indians to the French, Spanish, and Cajun migrants that have all inhabited this land. Get a chance to experience the landscape in much the same way as throughout history by navigating the canals in a canoe. Anglers will enjoy largemouth bass fishing in the well-stocked Lake Fausse Pointe waters. Back on land, a network of raised boardwalks allows hikers to explore the park on foot while elevated above the water. Nature lovers will love the chance to be immersed in a thriving wetlands ecosystem unlike anywhere else.
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park is located in St. Martinville, southern Lousiana, and is less than three hours west of New Orleans. There is a single entrance at the north end of the park that leads to the park office, campgrounds, and boat ramp. Before making your way into the bayou, keep in mind that there is limited or no cell phone service and the closest store is 25 miles away from the park, so be prepared and bring all necessities. There are multiple parking lot areas within the park, including the one near the boat ramp and park office closest to the entrance. The RV campsites are also next to the park office so you should have no trouble navigating to your site and setting up camp.
There are 10 premium RV campsites with full hook-ups at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park. There are an additional 40 campsites with water and electrical hookups. The RV campground is located in a loop along the Borrow Pit Canal, next to the park office. Amenities offered include a comfort station with showers, picnic tables, playground, and a dump station. In the summer there is a fun splash pad for all ages to play and cool off. Accessible RV campsites are available and reservation may be made up to 13 months in advance. There is a maximum number of six people per campsite. RVs and trailers up to 90 feet long can be accommodated.
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park offers a true off-the-grid nature experience, with limited cell phone service and pristine undeveloped land. Lousiana is predictably hot and humid in the summer, so be sure to bring bug spray, sunscreen, and plenty of water when you leave the motorhome behind. Visitors share the swamp waters with alligators and snakes, so keep safety in mind as you explore and observe the magnificent wildlife on display.
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park offers a unique hiking experience with elevated wooden walkways and footbridges that take hikers through the wetland swamps that would otherwise be too waterlogged to experience. There are three hiking trails at the park that range from one to three miles in length. The shortest trail, Armadillo Ridge, is great for an easy stroll. The Cardinal Run trail includes a scenic overlook of Lake Fausse Pointe, and the Barred Owl Trek follows the perimeter of the park and can be biked with footbridges over the wettest areas.
Bass anglers will love fishing in the Atchafalaya Basin. Lake Fausse Point is a 12,000-acre lake surrounded by ancient cypress trees and is stocked with largemouth bass. The fertile environment is fueled with silted runoff water from the surrounding swampland and fish thrive in the diverse wetland ecology. Largemouth bass, sunfish and crappie populations are managed the Lousiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to ensure anglers enjoy the opportunities to catch numbers of fish each visit.
Leave the camper on land and take to the water in a peaceful canoe trip that will take you back in time over the ancient waterways of the Louisiana bayou. A well-marked seven-mile canoe trail wind boaters through the pristine wetland environment. A boat launch near the park office provides easy access to the water with your own watercraft or with one of the rental boats available. A canoe trail map is available at the park office to get you started on your aquatic adventure.
Don’t forget to pack binoculars in your rig, because Louisiana is a birder’s dream with higher bird densities than almost anywhere in the nation. The warm and wet climate makes the state’s large swathes of forest and wetlands a perfect habitat for many species. Winter is the best season to view the millions of migrating ducks, snow geese, sparrows, and tree swallows. The sheer amount of birds in the area this time of year is a spectacle that makes even non-birder travelers marvel.
If you’re looking for an indoor activity during your visit, don’t miss the Interpretive Center located at the park office. Designed for all ages, you’ll find thousands of artifacts and interactive exhibits on the area’s natural history, wildlife, and geography. Visit the park’s website for a calendar of weekly winter programs complete with guided nature walks and craft projects for kids. Cultural talks combine a rich history with hands-on activities to educate and inspire all visitors.
Artists and enthusiasts will find the unique beauty of the bayou an irresistible landscape to capture. Plants and animals found in no other ecosystem are abundant, and pristine waterways and hiking trails cut through it all. Whether using a long lens to capture one of the millions of wintering birds, or taking a sweeping panorama of Lake Fausse Pointe, you’ll get memorable shots of a habitat that’s off the beaten path. The Interpretive Center even offers guided monthly photography hikes year-round to get you started.
