The best campgrounds near Gretna, Louisiana with wildlife watching

Across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, Gretna offers a quiet camping getaway from the nightlife of the Big Easy. Motorhomes can roll into the local RV park, which features full hookups, laundry facilities, and restrooms with showers. Or, find a private tent site with water and electrical hookups as well as a cabin rental equipped with kitchenettes and private bathrooms right in town. For a day at the beach, head an hour north to Fontainebleau State Park, perched on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Build sandcastles on the beach, explore the water by kayak, and walk or bike the old railroad track now dubbed Tammany Trace. Tent and big-rig campsites offer full hookups, while an on-site cabin rental features double beds, cooking utensils, and linens. Extend the trip with a visit to Bogue Chitto State Park, roughly two hours north. Mountain bike a 14-mile single-track trail, tube down the Bogue Chitto River, and then rest up at a modern cabin with a full-size kitchen and queen-size bed.

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Top-rated campgrounds

The blueberry field--one of the places you can pitch a tent if you like.

Across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, Gretna offers a quiet camping getaway from the nightlife of the Big Easy. Motorhomes can roll into the local RV park, which features full hookups, laundry facilities, and restrooms with showers. Or, find a private tent site with water and electrical hookups as well as a cabin rental equipped with kitchenettes and private bathrooms right in town. For a day at the beach, head an hour north to Fontainebleau State Park, perched on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Build sandcastles on the beach, explore the water by kayak, and walk or bike the old railroad track now dubbed Tammany Trace. Tent and big-rig campsites offer full hookups, while an on-site cabin rental features double beds, cooking utensils, and linens. Extend the trip with a visit to Bogue Chitto State Park, roughly two hours north. Mountain bike a 14-mile single-track trail, tube down the Bogue Chitto River, and then rest up at a modern cabin with a full-size kitchen and queen-size bed.

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Top-rated campgrounds

1. Big Branch Apiary

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(265)

29mi from Gretna · 8 sites · Tents, Lodging · Lacombe, LA

Welcome to Big Branch Apiary, a 50 acre honey and blueberry farm north of Lake Pontchartrain. We're bounded by the Big Branch Wildlife Reserve to the south and a Rails to Trails bike path on the north. We are 3 miles from Lacombe to the east, 4 miles from Mandeville to the west, about 3 miles from Fountainbleu State Park, and an hour from New Orleans. Most of the farm is a mix of hardwood forest and wetlands. Desert Bayou and East Branch Bayou meander across the property. The farm has deer, foxes, bobcats, owls, fireflies, otters, raccoons, turtles, and, well, about anything common to the wilds of the Gulf South. This includes a litany of snakes, mosquitoes, and deer flies in season. About 8 acres are used to raise poultry, bees and organically farmed blueberries. Overall, the land feels primordial and pristine. We are a designated Monarch Waystation and in the spring and fall see many migrating butterflies. We cultivate a lot of flowers so almost year round you can see butterflies in profusion. We are part of the USDAs Conservation Stewardship Program, concentrating on protecting and increasing habitat for animals and pollinators. Pets are welcome but please leash them. Campfires are allowed except on rare occasions. You can hunt for deadfalls in the woods on the farm, or we can provide firewood for a small fee. Our honey, fresh eggs, and homemade sourdough can be purchased as well. This is a rustic situation: think dry camping, outdoor (heated) shower, and outhouses. We have a tiny treehouse, an A-frame, a glamping tent, and several places to pitch a tent. The farm is pretty secure--someone is on-site most of the time, it's gated, and there are security cameras at access points. But it is a farm in a rural community--you may hear roosters crow, sheep bleat, dogs bark, and the sounds of owls, hawks, coyotes, and other native wildlife. If this sounds like it suits you then come stay and enjoy the farm life.

2. GLOCKNERS PLACE

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25mi from Gretna · 5 sites · RVs · Lacombe, LA

Learn more about this land: Small RV Park on beautiful Bayou Lacombe, Louisiana with 100 foot fishing dock. Bring your boat or kayak. Lake Pontchartrain is only 1/4 mile down the road. Our Place is located in the middle of the Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge with lots of wildlife to view. Catch fish and crabs from our dock. Two sites 50 amp with water and sewer hookups. Three sites with 50 amp and water only. The St Tammany Trace is 3 miles up the road for biking and hiking. Several great restaurants' in town

3. I'm on Vacation Retreat

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23mi from Gretna · 22 sites · RVs, Lodging · Saint Bernard, LA

The I’m on Vacation Retreat is a Lodge + RV park tucked at the edge of the world in Shell Beach, LA. When you are in the middle of the expansive marsh, you would never know you are only 30 miles from the New Orleans French Quarter and 20 miles from Chalmette. Home of commercial shrimpers and oystermen, and the BEST INSHORE FISHING IN THE COUNTRY. Epic sunrises. Breathtaking sunsets. TROUT. REDFISH. Everything you didn’t know you needed. Take your pick on how you want to get away. Will you bring your own RV to one of our 21 Pad Sites? Or, will you rent the Pelican Perch Lodge? No matter how you want to get away, our cozy retreat will be the perfect home-base for experiencing South Louisiana’s marsh. And, once you arrive, you’ll know, this must be the place.

Public campgrounds near Gretna

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Bayou Segnette Campground

6.8mi from Gretna · 100 sites · Tents, RVs · in Bayou Segnette State Park

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Saint Bernard Campground

9.7mi from Gretna · 51 sites · Tents, RVs · in Saint Bernard State Park

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(4)

Fontainebleau Campground

30mi from Gretna · 162 sites · Tents, RVs · in Fontainebleau State Park

Fairview Riverside Campground

35mi from Gretna · 101 sites · Tents, RVs · in Fairview Riverside State Park

88%

(4)

Tickfaw Campground

48mi from Gretna · 65 sites · Tents, RVs · in Tickfaw State Park

Stories from the community

J

Joni

5 days ago

37 ft fifth wheel

2 nights at GLOCKNERS PLACE

It was an absolutely beautiful site right on the wildlife refuge. We would definitely return!

M

MAPA

3 weeks ago

36 ft fifth wheel

6 nights at GLOCKNERS PLACE

We absolutely enjoyed our time in the bayou at the Glockner's place!!! The sunsets were amazing. Fishing and crabbing was a lot of fun. Thanks Ron and Amy for your wonderful hospitality. We'll be back. Thank you 😊

G

George

October 2025

1 night at Big Branch Apiary

Cheri was a welcoming host with a beautiful property. Can't ask for much more.

A

Andrea

October 2025

With pets

9 nights at Big Branch Apiary

The location is such a wonderful and beautiful place to relax with your family and enjoy good company. The buzzing of bees, birds singing (and roosters crowing) and the quiet bleating of sheep are the only sounds you will hearing while sitting in the shade next to your beautiful canvas tent. Definitely many wonderful memories made. Thank you for letting us enjoy your beautiful property ❤️

Angela

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Big Branch Apiary

Gorgeous place with tons of berry bushes and fruit trees - I love how they use every bit of the land, and the sheep were super cute! We stayed in the tree house - it was great! The showers/bathrooms are amazing. And the sourdough bread was too. Would definitely stay again!

Juliana

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Big Branch Apiary

This place is a little hidden gem. The property is so pretty. My dog loved it too. He fit right in and loved running around with the other pups. The treehouse was super cute and peaceful.

S

Sasha

June 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Big Branch Apiary

Cheri was an excellent host and her gluten free bread was amazing thanks so much for having us!

D

Deanna

May 2025

Tent

1 night at Big Branch Apiary

I really enjoyed camping here. It was beautiful and quiet. The blueberry bushes had flowers next to them as well and wondering between the rows after dinner was magical. The composting toilets were the cutest and cleanest I have ever seen. I hope to return and camp again. Be sure to read the arrival instructions they will send you to make sure you end up at the right place. My GPS told me I had arrived too soon.

S

Sarah

May 2025

With kids

2 nights at Big Branch Apiary

What a neat property! Cheri is lovely, accessible, and helpful. Toilets and showers were great. The smoke from the campfire helped keep the bugs at bay (Cheri has firewood on site that you can purchase at a reasonable price. Or you can find your own.) Blueberries were just starting to ripen and we were invited to pick as many as we wanted! Wildflowers were also in bloom! For cyclists, Tammany Trace runs just north of the property. Me and my two daughters fit easily in the treehouse. The treehouse creaks when the wind blows - I didn't mind but it freaked out my kids at first. It was quite warm the first night (no breeze blowing through the treehouse until early morning), but the temperature was pleasant the second night. The carpet on the floor does a good job of keeping bugs out. Looking forward to coming back and trying out the Bayou Tent!

J

Jaime

May 2025

Group trip

1 night at Big Branch Apiary

The owners were VERY welcoming and gave us a lot of a freedom to explore the land!

T

Tzuni

May 2025

With pets

1 night at Big Branch Apiary

Big Branch Apiary is the bees knees (literally). The treehouse is the perfect getaway for families, couples, or a single person just looking to have an evening to write and be creative in nature. During the day, I was able to pick blueberries and hang with the bees, sheep, chickens, and peacocks. At night, I could see the fireflies glowing around the blueberry fields when I turned my lights out. While I wore bug spray while walking around the farm (the showers and toilets are a little bit of a walk, but they’re suuuuuper cute and clean), I didn’t really need it in the treehouse itself as it’s tightly sealed. I’d bring a couple extra battery powered lights along to help with the coziness factor — I did, and it really made for a perfect little writer’s retreat! This may be the most romantic spot in all of Louisiana, even though I was just there with my dog :) The other pups on the property are super sweet, and she really felt like one of the pack!

Beautiful, private camping spot next to the blueberry fields

Kim

May 2025

Tent

1 night at Big Branch Apiary

Perfect camping experience! Cheri is a wonderful hostess with a beautiful place to camp right next to a large blueberry patch that also has some rows of flowers that she sells commercially. I picked lots of berries for eating and taking with me. In wandering around the farm I found other flowers scattered about. Her white peacock pair is not to be missed! (But don’t worry, you are camped far enough to miss any noise!) There also sheep, lots of chickens (yup, you can buy a dozen super fresh eggs to cook up for breakfast or take with you). The farm structures are so unique with walls of rocks and wine bottles and very clean. There are showers and potties. Even an outhouse or 2, just not super close to the campsite. It felt very safe and secure, which as a woman traveling alone was perfect. Oh, and bring butter, you don’t want to miss her homemade sourdough bread too!

E

Elizabeth

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Big Branch Apiary

We stayed in the tree house and we loved every minute of it. We enjoyed seeing all the animals and picking blueberries. The toilets and showers could not have been nicer and were just a short walk from the site.

B

Brianna

May 2025

3 nights at Big Branch Apiary

Loved my stay in the treehouse! A very peaceful and beautiful sight to wake up to. Will stay again.

D

David

May 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Big Branch Apiary

This is a beautiful working farm. The Berry Field space was private and wonderful. The animals were fun and happy. Perfect for small RV rig like van or tent. I will return with more time to enjoy this wonderful place

suzette

May 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Big Branch Apiary

Super nice getaway close to the city--and right on the bike trail. Cheri is kind and available. Bread and eggs a big plus!

A

Ashle

April 2025

36 ft travel trailer

3 nights at GLOCKNERS PLACE

This was an amazing stay! Will definitely be back!

b

bb

April 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Big Branch Apiary

We had booked a group trip and right off the bat, Cheri & Tim were SO warm & welcoming! They made sure we were taken care of from start to finish (ie. they had an extra picnic table delivered to our campsite because they knew we were a big group). The property itself is so beautiful and full of life. There are berries all over the place and lush fields to dance & frolick in. The farm and all the animals are so much fun and well taken care of too. Special shout-out to the albino peacocks under the apiary!! They caw'd with us in the outdoor lounge all night! I can't recommend this place enough and will most certainly be back for another community trip. Thank you again for hosting us!!!

A

Ashle

April 2025

36 ft travel trailer

3 nights at GLOCKNERS PLACE

Staying at Ron's place was amazing!! It doesn't matter how you park, the views from any window are breathtaking! Ron was easy to communicate with and flexible in allowing us more time during our stay. To get here, you will need to drive about a mile on a well-maintained and level gravel road. There is a fishing pier, about 50 feet from where we parked. We caught enough fish for dinner and saw lots of Bayou wildlife. When we visit Louisiana in the future, this place will be at the top of our list. Thanks, Ron, for being an incredible host.

M

Miss

April 2025

Weekend Trip to Big Branch Apiary

Enjoyed my stay so much last week that I booked another stay this weekend. I cannot say I enough how much I love staying at this property! Cheri is great and every other camper I've encountered is friendly. The Bayou Tent is fantastic and the bed is so comfortable. Being able to sit out front and eat at the table while still being under a shade is wonderful. I love this property and will be back soon.