Bayou Segnette State Park is one of my family’s favorite State Parks in Louisiana. It has something for everyone with nature trails, fishing along the canal, a swimming pool and even a wave pool.
Bayou Segnette is located across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, LA in Westwego, Louisiana on the Westbank Expressway. Bayou Segnette is right on the Bayou, Bayou Segnette to be exact. For all the fishermen out there keep reading, I’ll tell you more about that later in this review. Bayou Segnette used to be nothing but swampland but with the creation of canals in the area you will find some marshland. The marshes were created by the salt water intrusion coming into the canals. Yes, this is a fisherman’s paradise!
Bayou Segnette has a very popular boat landing with the local people of the area that will handle just about any kind of fishing boat. The canal leads out to Lake Salvador, which in turn empties into the Gulf of Mexico. You can fish both freshwater and saltwater depending on your mood or how the fish are biting that day! Campers can also use the boat launch, which is popular with families bringing a boat along on their camping trip.
One of the reasons I love this park so much is that it is full of nature and wildlife. The campsites are located along marshy areas and you will find birds singing in the trees and the wooded areas, rabbits everywhere, alligators and nutria rats in the canals, raccoons at night or maybe even along a nature trail and lots of squirrels. It is really fun to walk and watch the rabbits. I think the setting of this park resembles a totally peaceful environment. We have camped here numerous times and it is usually quiet unless a concert is performing at the nearby Alario Center.
There are numerous picnic areas in the park and a very nice playground if you just want to visit for the day. There is a large covered Pavillion for groups and BQ pits in the area. The Pavillion can be reserved for groups for a small fee.
Campground Facilities The campground has 98 improved campsites with water and electricity. Each site is very spacious with plenty of room for a tent or travel trailer with room to walk around. Each site has its own picnic table and fire ring. They have cement slabs for motorhomes and travel trailers and some even have additional pads for tents. There is a separate section for tents, which gives those wanting a “primitive” surrounding no views of RVs. These sites are also very spacious. You will find a comfort station located near each section of the campground with restrooms and showers.
Bayou Segnette also has a very nice group camp that can be rented out by the day or week. It sleeps up to 120 people! Reservations are required well in advance for use of the group camp. There are also 20 modern and spacious cabins along the canal that can be rented by the night or week. If primitive camping in a tent is not your thing, then this will remind you of a vacation home! Each cabin has air conditioning, heat, a screened porch and a pier for fishing on the canal. Talk about pleasing the fisherman in your family!
Bayou Segnette has a swimming pool for overnight guests. This pool is adequate but only 4 ft. deep. It is also clean and lifeguards are on duty each day. It is really welcome in 100+ degree weather that you will find in southern Louisiana! There is also a Wave Pool that is open to Day Visitors and campers for an admission price.
Overnight guest pay a small admission price for this campground. The improved facilities (electricity and water) are only $16.00 per night and tent camping is $8.00 per night. You might want to call for reservations in spring and summer because they do book up! Daytime visitors are charged by the carload, $2.00-3.00 a car up to 5 people in the car.
Nearby Sites To Visit
If you want to venture out of the campground for a day there are lots of things to do in the area. You are right across the river from New Orleans so you can visit the French Quarter or go shopping. Another suggestion would be a visit to Fort Pike State Historic Site (approximately 25 miles away). This historic fort was built in 1827 to defend New Orleans. Visit the museum or take part in living history programs. If you enjoy nature, then you might want to consider Jean Lafitte National Historic Park. You will find 20,000 acres of marshland with boardwalks throughout to form nature trails. There are lots of wildlife and nature here too!
Bayou Sengette State Park is a fun place for families to spend the day or go camping. It has enough things to keep the kids busy and entertained for several days. For more information you can contact Bayou Segnette State Park at 1-888-677-2296.
