# Blues, levees and cypresses: by camper along the lower Great River Road from St. Louis to New Orleans

> From the Gateway Arch via Memphis and the Mississippi Delta to the plantations on River Road in Louisiana: around 1,700 kilometres along a river that here…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-178-great-river-road-lower/

**At a glance:** 7-day road trip of about 1,354 km (842 mi) with 14 stops, from St. Louis to New Orleans. About 15 h 02 min of driving in total. From the Gateway Arch via Memphis and the Mississippi Delta to the plantations on River Road in Louisiana: around 1,700 kilometres along a river that here becomes brown, broad and sluggish.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 1,354 km (842 mi) |
| Driving | 15 h 02 min |
| Suggested days | 7 |
| Stops | 14 |
| Route | St. Louis → New Orleans |
| States | MO, KY, TN, MS, LA |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*From the Gateway Arch via Memphis and the Mississippi Delta to the plantations on River Road in Louisiana: around 1,700 kilometres along a river that here becomes brown, broad and sluggish.*

## The spirit of the route

South of St. Louis the Mississippi changes. The bluffs become levees, limestone becomes alluvial land, and the river grows so wide that barges look like toys. The Great River Road switches between the banks, passes French colonial houses in Ste. Genevieve, goes through cypress swamps at Reelfoot Lake and over the bridges to Memphis, where neon light and soul pour out of the streets. In the Delta, Highway 61 runs between cotton fields, museums in Clarksdale and Indianola tell the story of the blues, and in the evening you hear live guitars from open doors. Further south, oaks with Spanish moss reach over the road, in Natchez mansions stand on the bluffs, and on River Road in Louisiana sugar cane fields and refineries go by. The air is humid, cicadas sing, and mosquitoes are numerous; if you travel in September, you must allow for hurricane weather and heat.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: St. Louis to Cape Girardeau (approx. 185 km)

- **The drive:** From St. Louis, take I-55 south to Ste. Genevieve, then MO-61 and the Great River Road along the river to Cape Girardeau. Four lanes to two lanes, mostly 65–70 mph, flat; traffic only around St. Louis. Pure driving time is about 2.5 hours, a full day with a visit to the Gateway Arch and Ste. Genevieve.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis: the 192 m stainless-steel arch stands on the Mississippi; a tram runs to the viewing platform, so reserve tickets online beforehand; higher fees sometimes apply to visitors without US residence, so check current amounts on nps.gov.
  - Ste. Genevieve: the oldest European settlement in Missouri, with French colonial houses (Bolduc House, Felix Vallé House) and Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park; check opening times beforehand.
  - Cape Girardeau: a floodwall with large murals at the harbour and a view of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge over the Mississippi.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Hawn State Park near Ste. Genevieve: a campground under pines with basic and electric sites; check the facilities and vehicle lengths with Missouri State Parks. Trail of Tears State Park near Cape Girardeau: a campground above the river, some sites with electricity; reserve through the state park system and check lengths beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Mark Twain National Forest west of the route, dispersed camping is generally allowed, with a stay limit and fire rules; check the current regulations with the Forest Service. There is no legal free camping along the river.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In St. Louis, motorhomes are better off on the ring motorways and parking outside the centre; mind the height limits in multi-storey car parks. Top up with water in Ste. Genevieve before it gets lonelier.

### Stage 2: Cape Girardeau to Reelfoot Lake (Tiptonville) (approx. 210 km)

- **The drive:** Take I-57 and US-60 to Wickliffe in Kentucky, then US-51 and TN-78 south to Tiptonville. Flat land with fields, little traffic, mostly 55–65 mph. Pure driving time is about 3 hours. At Cairo (Illinois) the Ohio flows into the Mississippi; a detour to Fort Defiance State Park shows the confluence.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Fort Defiance State Park near Cairo, Illinois: a viewpoint at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi; check the condition and access beforehand.
  - Wickliffe Mounds in Wickliffe, Kentucky: remains of a Mississippian culture settlement on the bluffs; check opening times and status beforehand.
  - Reelfoot Lake: the lake was formed by the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811/12; cypresses and water lilies characterise the shore; in winter bald eagles come, and guided tours are offered.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Columbus-Belmont State Park in Kentucky: a campground on the bluffs above the Mississippi, some sites with electricity; check availability with Kentucky State Parks. Reelfoot Lake State Park in Tennessee runs several campgrounds on the lake; check the choice, facilities and vehicle lengths with Tennessee State Parks.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** There is hardly any dispersed camping on this stretch. Large areas are privately owned, and wildlife areas have their own rules; use campgrounds.
- **Insider tip for campers:** At Reelfoot Lake mosquitoes are very numerous in summer; pack repellent and a mosquito net. Fill up and shop in Wickliffe or Union City; smaller towns follow after that.

### Stage 3: Reelfoot Lake to Memphis (approx. 150 km)

- **The drive:** From Tiptonville, take TN-78 and US-51 south via Dyersburg and Millington to Memphis; flat farmland, mostly 55–65 mph. Pure driving time is about 2 hours. In Memphis, motorhomes are better off on the motorways and parking outside the centre.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - National Civil Rights Museum in the former Lorraine Motel in Memphis: an exhibition on the civil rights movement; check opening times and admission beforehand.
  - Beale Street and Sun Studio: the music street in the centre and the studio where Elvis Presley made his first recordings; reserve tours beforehand.
  - Big River Crossing: a pedestrian and cycle bridge on the old Harahan Bridge over the Mississippi to Arkansas.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park near Millington: campgrounds on the bluffs above the Mississippi; check the facilities and vehicle lengths with Tennessee State Parks. T.O. Fuller State Park in the south of Memphis offers another public site; clarify availability beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In and around Memphis there is no legal free camping; overnighting in a vehicle in car parks is forbidden. Use campgrounds.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In Memphis, take care of waste disposal and fresh water before the city. Multi-storey car parks have height limits; use a taxi or ride-share for Beale Street and museums. Summer heat is extreme, so carry water.

### Stage 4: Memphis to Greenville (approx. 235 km)

- **The drive:** Take US-61 (Blues Highway) via Tunica, Clarksdale, Cleveland and Indianola to Greenville; a flat, straight stretch through cotton and soybean fields, mostly 65 mph. Pure driving time is about 3.5 hours. In Mississippi the signed Great River Road runs in places on different roads from US-61; check the signs and the road layout.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale: an exhibition on the history of the Delta blues; the junction of US-61 and US-49 is regarded as the “Crossroads”. Check opening times beforehand.
  - GRAMMY Museum Mississippi in Cleveland: a museum of music history; check opening times.
  - B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola: a museum on the life of the blues guitarist; check opening times.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Leroy Percy State Park near Hollandale (Mississippi): a campground with sites in a floodplain forest; check the facilities and vehicle lengths with Mississippi State Parks. In the towns of the Delta there are mostly private RV parks, which are not named here.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Delta National Forest near Rolling Fork, basic camping is generally possible; check the rules with the Forest Service. Roads become impassable after rain; motorhomes should stay on tarmac.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The Delta is flat and hot; in September it can top 35 °C. Check the air conditioning and cool box. Fill up and shop in Clarksdale and Cleveland; live music in clubs is usual in the evening, and motorhomes often find parking tight there.

### Stage 5: Greenville to Natchez (approx. 260 km)

- **The drive:** Take US-61 south via Vicksburg to Natchez; a flat stretch with locks and bridges, mostly 65 mph. Pure driving time is about 3.5 hours. In Vicksburg the old town on the river is easy to reach, while the military park lies on the edge of town.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Vicksburg National Military Park: a memorial to the siege of 1863 with a loop road of about 25 km, monuments and the gunboat USS Cairo; check fees for visitors without US residence on nps.gov.
  - Natchez Under-the-Hill: the old harbour area on the river with a view of barges.
  - Longwood in Natchez: an unfinished octagonal mansion from the 19th century; check opening times beforehand.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Natchez State Park: a campground near Natchez with sites on the lake; check the facilities and vehicle lengths with Mississippi State Parks. Along the Natchez Trace there are basic sites such as Rocky Springs (NPS, without hook-ups); check status and lengths beforehand. Around Vicksburg, private RV parks predominate.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On the Natchez Trace Parkway, overnighting is allowed only on the campgrounds; dispersed camping is available in Homochitto National Forest near Natchez, so check the rules and access roads with the Forest Service.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The Natchez Trace Parkway (kilometre 0 at Natchez) has a 50 mph speed limit and is closed to commercial vehicles; motorhomes are allowed. Filling stations are rare there, so fill up beforehand.

### Stage 6: Natchez to Baton Rouge (approx. 150 km)

- **The drive:** Take US-61 south via St. Francisville, then on to Baton Rouge; two to four lanes, mostly 55–65 mph. Pure driving time is about 2.5 hours. Baton Rouge has dense traffic, especially on I-10.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site near St. Francisville: a plantation house with gardens, with tours offered; check opening times beforehand. The history of slavery is documented there.
  - Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge: an Art Deco high-rise with an observation deck; check opening times.
  - Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge: a castle-like building on the river with a museum.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Baton Rouge itself there are mostly private RV parks, which are not named here. If you want to camp publicly, you can move to Natchez State Park the evening before or to Bayou Segnette State Park near New Orleans (stage 7); check the facilities and availability beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Louisiana, overnighting in a vehicle outside campgrounds is generally not allowed; supermarket and casino car parks only by arrangement.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Hurricane season runs to the end of November; heed weather warnings and evacuation orders. Be mindful of mosquitoes and heat. In Baton Rouge, fill up with fresh water and empty your waste before heading onto River Road.

### Stage 7: Baton Rouge to New Orleans (approx. 150 km)

- **The drive:** From Baton Rouge, take I-10 and LA-44 or LA-18 on River Road along the river to the southeast; the road runs on the levee, flat, in places narrow, mostly 45–55 mph. Pure driving time is about 3 hours with stops. The Sunshine Bridge (LA-70) crosses the Mississippi at Donaldsonville.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie: an avenue of old live oaks to the mansion, with tours offered; check opening times and prices beforehand.
  - Whitney Plantation: a museum on the history of slavery on a former sugar plantation.
  - French Quarter in New Orleans: the old town with Jackson Square and the cathedral; motorhomes have hardly any room there, so use a bus or taxi.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego: a campground with electricity and water on the bayou, about 20 minutes from New Orleans; check vehicle lengths and reservations with Louisiana State Parks. Fontainebleau State Park near Mandeville lies on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain as an alternative.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In New Orleans and the surrounding area there is no legal free camping; overnighting in a vehicle on streets and in car parks is checked.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In New Orleans, take care of waste disposal and fresh water before the city. Parking in the old town is scarce and expensive; mind the height limits in multi-storey car parks. Heat and thunderstorms in September.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Dispersed camping in Missouri, Mississippi and Louisiana is generally allowed only in national forests (Mark Twain, Delta, Homochitto); check the current rules with the Forest Service. In state parks and on Corps of Engineers land, only on designated sites.
- Overnighting in a vehicle in car parks, on levees and at viewpoints is forbidden in most towns; fines and checks are possible.
- Supermarkets and casinos sometimes allow overnighting by arrangement; heed the signs.
- Wildlife: alligators in Louisiana and Mississippi, water snakes, black bears in parts of Mississippi and Louisiana. Do not swim in waters that harbour alligators; keep dogs on a lead.
- Mosquitoes, ticks and fire ants are widespread; bring repellent. Do not swim in the Mississippi: currents and ship traffic are dangerous.
- Apps and sites: Campendium, iOverlander, The Dyrt, Recreation.gov (federal land) and the state parks' reservation systems.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations are found in many state parks and at some filling stations; there is an overview at sanidumps.com. Check fees and opening times beforehand.
- Tap water is drinkable; do not drink river water. In the Delta, tap water can taste strongly of chlorine after heat.
- Shopping: supermarkets in St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Memphis, Clarksdale, Vicksburg, Natchez, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
- Propane at filling stations and DIY stores in larger towns; European bottles need adapters.
- Fuel: filling stations in all larger towns; longer gaps on the Natchez Trace and in the Delta.
- Electricity: sites with hook-ups mostly offer 30 and 50 A at 120 V; air conditioning needs electricity in summer.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits in mph: interstate 65–70, country roads 55–65, built-up areas 25–35. Heed the signs; lower limits may apply for rigs. Natchez Trace Parkway 50 mph.
- Toll: no toll on the route; bridges over the Mississippi are mostly toll-free, so check exceptions beforehand.
- Fees: state parks have day-use or camping charges; National Park sites charge admission; higher fees may apply to visitors without US residence, so check current amounts on nps.gov.
- Dimensions: many sites have length limits; check before booking. Legal maximum height mostly 13 ft 6 in to 14 ft; watch for bridges and multi-storey car parks.
- Reservations: state parks through the respective state systems, federal land through Recreation.gov.
- Weather and season: hurricane season June to November, peaking August to October; heat and humidity in summer; Mississippi flooding in spring. Best time October to April and spring; heed evacuation orders.
- Traffic law: turning right on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign forbids it. Seat belts are compulsory for all occupants. Emergency number 911.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Insect net, repellent and tick tweezers: mosquitoes and ticks are widespread from spring to autumn.
- Weather app with severe-weather and hurricane warnings, plus an emergency radio for evacuations.
- Extra cooling and sun protection: in the Delta and in Louisiana the summer heat is above 35 °C.
- Binoculars for bald eagles, herons and barges.
- Offline maps and a paper map: mobile reception can drop out on the Natchez Trace and in the Delta.
- Fresh water canisters and a waste disposal plan: dump stations are sometimes far apart.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **St. Louis** (MO)
2. **Ste. Genevieve** (MO)
3. **Cape Girardeau** (MO)
4. **Wickliffe** (KY)
5. **Tiptonville** (TN)
6. **Memphis** (TN)
7. **Clarksdale** (MS)
8. **Greenville** (MS)
9. **Vicksburg** (MS)
10. **Natchez** (MS)
11. **St. Francisville** (LA)
12. **Baton Rouge** (LA)
13. **Vacherie** (LA)
14. **New Orleans** (LA)

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and November. Hot in July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Blues, levees and cypresses: by camper along the lower Great River Road from St. Louis to New Orleans?**
7-day road trip of about 1,354 km (842 mi) with 14 stops, from St. Louis to New Orleans. About 15 h 02 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Blues, levees and cypresses: by camper along the lower Great River Road from St. Louis to New Orleans?**
We suggest 7 days: about 15 h 02 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Blues, levees and cypresses: by camper along the lower Great River Road from St. Louis to New Orleans start and end?**
It starts in St. Louis and ends in New Orleans.

**Which states does Blues, levees and cypresses: by camper along the lower Great River Road from St. Louis to New Orleans pass through?**
Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana.

**Where can you camp along Blues, levees and cypresses: by camper along the lower Great River Road from St. Louis to New Orleans?**
OpenStreetMap lists 73 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Bayou Segnette State Park Campground, Peaceful Pines RV Park and T. O. Fuller State Park Campground.

**When is the best time for Blues, levees and cypresses: by camper along the lower Great River Road from St. Louis to New Orleans?**
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)