A popular first stop in Louisiana is New Orleans, and it’s a place like nowhere else. It’s one of America’s oldest cities and has a long history as an important trading port. Today, it’s famous for its raucous parties in the French Quarter and the annual Mardi Gras parades. But the Big Easy is about more than parties. New Orleans is all about great music, from Louis Armstrong to Harry Connick Jr; you’ll never have trouble finding a great show here. Visitors interested in the occult can take a voodoo tour, where guides explain the rich cultural traditions of the city's Afro-Caribbean inhabitants, taking you beyond the stereotypes of voodoo dolls and creepy talismans.
Want to experience the Big Easy, but aren’t sure where you would park an RV rental in the French Quarter? The New Orleans KOA is only 30 minutes' drive from Bourbon Street and just steps from the banks of the Mississippi River. New Orleans KOA campsites can accommodate up to a 100-foot RV, and sites include full hookups. There’s also a swimming pool and dog park; if you aren’t sure which attractions to visit in NOLA, there’s also a tour shuttle that can take you to the best ones while the RV rental is back at the park.
Head farther up the Mississippi, and you’ll come upon the state capitol of Baton Rouge. The city is fairly industrial with a large port and several petrochemical processing plants. Look beyond the factories, though, and you’ll find a city rich in history and culture. Start your tour of Baton Rouge at the Old State Capitol building. The beautiful stained glass roof caps off a building filled with interesting exhibits detailing the complicated history of Louisiana politics, with a particularly fascinating section on assassinated governor Huey Long. From there, head to the current statehouse, where you can see the remnants of a bomb explosion that took place in 1970 (a pencil remains embedded in the ceiling). For a look around the city, ride the elevator up to the 34th floor (Louisiana has the tallest capitol building in the nation) for some fantastic views on the building’s observation deck.
As both the state capital and one of Louisiana's largest cities, Baton Rouge can get pretty congested at rush hour. Fortunately for those searching for a campground in Louisiana, the Baton Rouge KOA is located in a more peaceful area about 20 minutes' drive away. It’s still quite accessible, though, just a minute or so off Interstate 12. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, a hot tub, a mini-golf course, and an off-leash dog park. Several restaurants and bars are within walking distance, so no need to unhook everything to get the RV rolling.
No RV road trip through Louisiana would be complete without a visit to Cajun Country and the southern bayou. Lafayette is the undisputed capital of the Cajun region, with a full 10% of the parish considering themselves French speakers. It’s also home to the Festival International de Louisiane every April, which features Francophone musicians from all over the world along with classic Cajun cuisine. Lafayette is also home to Louisiana's only ice rink, so if you want to don some skates and escape the heat, this is the place to do it. Looking for a solid Cajun Country RV park? The Lafayette KOA has everything you need, from full hookups to mini-golf. There’s even a ten-acre pond on the premises where you can do some fishing with no state license required. It’s conveniently located off of Interstate 10, so you’ll have easy access to Lafeyette and the rest of Louisiana's southern parishes.
Way up in Louisiana's northwest corner is Shreveport, the state’s third-largest city. While it might be far from the parties of Bourbon Street, Shreveport is the undisputed king of riverboat gambling; casino barges are permanently docked on the Mississippi River and provide 24-hour gaming. It’s not all about neon lights and rowdy craps tables, though. The area surrounding Shreveport is incredibly popular with hunters and anglers, earning it the nickname “Sportsman’s Paradise.” Need a break from all the action in the city? The Shreveport/Bossier City KOA is straight off Interstate 20, about 15 minutes' drive outside downtown Shreveport. The park offers full hookups, a swimming pool, a dog park, and a large pavilion for picnicking families. There’s even a small store on-site, so you don’t need to drive into town to pick up the essentials.
Though most of the state is only a few feet above sea level, Louisiana is an incredibly diverse place - lush forests in the north, thick swamps in the south, and some of America’s most fascinating cities in between. Staying in a Louisiana RV campground is all about shedding your inhibitions and enjoying the party, even if you’re nowhere near Bourbon Street.
