# Cypress, zydeco and sugar cane – by camper from New Orleans through Cajun Country to St. Francisville

> From the River Road with Oak Alley and Whitney via Houma and Thibodaux into the Atchafalaya Basin, to St. Martinville, Avery Island and the Cajun music of…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-333-louisiana-cajun-country/

**At a glance:** 8-day road trip of about 759 km (472 mi) with 14 stops, from New Orleans to St. Francisville. About 8 h 25 min of driving in total. Best time to go: March–April and October–November. No toll roads expected for a car. From the River Road with Oak Alley and Whitney via Houma and Thibodaux into the Atchafalaya Basin, to St. Martinville, Avery Island and the Cajun music of Eunice, then via Baton Rouge into the hills of St. Francisville: around 1,000 kilometres of bayou, prairie and Mississippi.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 759 km (472 mi) |
| Driving | 8 h 25 min |
| Suggested days | 8 |
| Stops | 14 |
| Route | New Orleans → St. Francisville |
| States | LA |
| Best time to go | March–April and October–November |
| Tolls and vignettes | None expected |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-333-louisiana-cajun-country.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Driving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-driving-rules-visitors/), [Fuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-fuel-tolls-distances/), [US national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-national-park-passes/)

*From the River Road with Oak Alley and Whitney via Houma and Thibodaux into the Atchafalaya Basin, to St. Martinville, Avery Island and the Cajun music of Eunice, then via Baton Rouge into the hills of St. Francisville: around 1,000 kilometres of bayou, prairie and Mississippi.*

## The spirit of the route

South of the I-10, Louisiana dissolves into water. Bayous with dark, still surfaces, bald cypresses draped in Spanish moss, cane fields running right up to the levees and, behind them, out of sight, the Mississippi, whose tankers seem to float above the houses. The route starts in the noise of New Orleans, follows the River Road past oak alleys and refineries, and then dives into the land of the Acadians, who were driven out of Canada in the 18th century and kept their language, their fiddle and their food here. From the sliding door in the morning you see great egrets over Lake Fausse Pointe, at midday the air shimmers over the rice prairie, and in the evening the radio plays French with accordion. You drive slowly, eat boudin from the petrol station counter, wait at drawbridges – and learn that heat, thunderstorms and mosquitoes are part of the rhythm here.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Mandeville (Fontainebleau State Park) to Westwego (Bayou Segnette State Park) (approx. 75 km)

- **The drive:** From the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway: around 38 kilometres (24 miles) dead straight over open water, two separate carriageways, with no land in sight for long stretches. The toll is only charged southbound towards New Orleans. In severe weather and high winds, warnings are issued, and motorhomes, motorcycles and high-profile vehicles can at times be banned from the bridge altogether; then wait or take the detour via the I-10 or I-12. Then on the I-10 and the Pontchartrain Expressway past the Superdome and over the Crescent City Connection (toll-free) to the west bank and Westwego. Pure driving time around 1.5 hours, considerably more in rush hour; the road surfaces in the city are in poor condition in places.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - French Quarter: Jackson Square with St. Louis Cathedral, Café du Monde at the French Market and the cast-iron balconies of Royal Street. In the early morning the quarter is empty and cool; from midday it gets hot and crowded.
  - Garden District and St. Charles Avenue: take the St. Charles streetcar under the oaks past 19th-century mansions to Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 and Magazine Street.
  - Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Barataria Preserve near Marrero: boardwalks through bald cypress, palmettos and floating marsh, with alligators, herons and, in spring, irises – only around 20 minutes from the campground.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego: campground on the west bank, around half an hour from the French Quarter, sites with water and electricity, bathhouses with showers, dump station, boat ramp and cabins on the water. On the north shore, Fontainebleau State Park near Mandeville has a campground under oaks and pines, sites with hookups and direct access to the Tammany Trace bike path; it is quieter, but every trip into the city crosses the tolled Causeway. Fontainebleau was badly damaged by Hurricane Ida in 2021, and the lakeside cabins were closed for years afterwards; check the current status of individual loops and cabins with Louisiana State Parks and book through their reservation system.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In New Orleans, sleeping in a motorhome on streets and public car parks is not allowed and, because of vehicle break-ins, not advisable either. There is no public land for dispersed camping around the city; the Wildlife Management Areas only allow camping at designated sites.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Don’t drive the motorhome into the French Quarter: the streets are narrow, often one-way, some closed to large vehicles, and multi-storey car parks have height restrictions. From the campground take a taxi or ride-hailing service into the city, or cycle to the ferry at Algiers Point, which carries pedestrians and bikes to Canal Street. Leave nothing visible in the vehicle. In heavy rain, underpasses in the city flood within minutes – never drive through standing water.

### Stage 2: Westwego to Houma (approx. 145 km)

- **The drive:** West on the US-90 to Luling, then on the LA-18 (River Road) along the west bank of the Mississippi: two lanes, flat, speed mostly 45–55 mph, the river itself hidden behind the grassy levee. Between the plantations stand chemical plants and refineries – the stretch known as the “Industrial Corridor” is part of the truth of this landscape. From Vacherie on the LA-20 through cane fields to Thibodaux and on the LA-24 along Bayou Terrebonne to Houma. Pure driving time around 2.5 hours; during the sugar cane harvest from autumn to winter, slow harvest trains are on the road and the roads are muddy.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Whitney Plantation in Wallace: museum about slavery from the perspective of the enslaved, with memorial walls, church, slave cabins and testimonies of formerly enslaved people. A quiet, serious visit; check opening hours and ticketing on the website in advance.
  - Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie: the roughly 400-metre alley of 28 live oaks that are older than the 1839 mansion. Large car park, motorhomes included. Plan it for the morning, before the coaches arrive.
  - Laura Plantation in Vacherie: Creole sugar plantation with a brightly coloured mansion; the tours tell the story of the family and the enslaved from archival sources and distinguish Creole from Anglo-American culture on the river.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** There is no state park campground in the Houma and Thibodaux area. Private RV parks with full hookups are in Houma, in southern Terrebonne Parish and on the LA-1 near Raceland; book ahead, especially during fishing season and after storms (worker housing). If you prefer a public site, stay a second night at Bayou Segnette and drive the River Road as a day loop.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Along the River Road, overnighting on levee crests, plantation car parks and pull-outs is prohibited; the land is private or belongs to the levee district. In Terrebonne and Lafourche there is no public land for free camping.
- **Insider tip for campers:** There is hardly anywhere to eat between the plantations – pack provisions and water beforehand; petrol stations in Luling, Gramercy and Vacherie. The levee crest invites a look at the river but is closed to vehicles; climb up on foot via the steps at Oak Alley. In Houma, many swamp tours leave from Bayou Black; book in advance and ask for boats with shade.

### Stage 3: Houma to Lafayette (approx. 190 km)

- **The drive:** Back on the LA-24 to Thibodaux, then on the LA-20 and US-90 west via Gibson and Amelia to Morgan City, where a high bridge crosses the Atchafalaya River. On along the four-lane US-90 via Franklin and New Iberia to Lafayette. Sections of the US-90 are being upgraded to the future I-49 South; roadworks, lane shifts and sudden exits are common. Pure driving time around 2.5 hours, petrol stations at regular intervals.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux (Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve): exhibition on the Acadians in bayou country, trappers, fishermen and the language; regular Cajun jam sessions in autumn and spring. Check opening hours on nps.gov.
  - Laurel Valley Village near Thibodaux: remains of a large 19th-century sugar plantation with workers’ houses and the ruin of the sugar mill. The site is private property – view it only from the road and do not enter.
  - Morgan City: on the bank of the Atchafalaya River stands the International Petroleum Museum with the “Mr. Charlie” rig, where oil work in the Gulf is explained. Next to it the levee promenade with views of tugs and shrimp boats.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Acadiana Park Campground (now mostly called Acadiana Campground): Lafayette’s municipal campground in the woods of Acadiana Park in the north-east of the city, around 75 sites, amenity block with showers, dump station at the entrance and access to the nature trails of the Nature Station. After repairs it has been operating again since 2025; reserve online through the Lafayette PARC booking system, maximum stay ten consecutive nights. The site lies in a flood zone – do not stay when heavy rain warnings are issued. Ask about hookups and site lengths in advance. Private sites with full hookups are in Scott and Breaux Bridge.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Lafayette and the towns along the US-90 offer no legal free camping spots. Some supermarkets tolerate one night, but only after asking in the store; signs banning motorhome parking are widespread.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In Acadiana you buy boudin and cracklins at petrol stations and butchers that open early in the morning – Scott, west of Lafayette, calls itself the “Boudin Capital”. In Lafayette, avoid the city centre with the motorhome and head for Vermilionville and the Acadian Cultural Center (both with large car parks). Fill up before the Atchafalaya Basin; beyond it the petrol stations are further apart.

### Stage 4: Lafayette to Lake Fausse Pointe State Park (approx. 100 km)

- **The drive:** On the LA-94 to Breaux Bridge, then on narrow country roads to Lake Martin and on via the I-10 a short way onto the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge to the Henderson or Butte La Rose exit. The I-10 bridge is around 29 kilometres long and runs on piers over swamp and bayous; the bridge is a Highway Safety Corridor with a uniform 60 mph for all vehicles, trucks must use the right lane, fines are doubled – the State Police enforce strictly. Back via Breaux Bridge to St. Martinville and on the LA-96 and the Levee Road along the Atchafalaya protection levee to the park. Pure driving time around 2 hours; the Levee Road is narrow and has no shoulder.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Breaux Bridge: the “Crawfish Capital of the World” has an old drawbridge over Bayou Teche, antique shops and Cajun dance halls where Cajun and zydeco music is played – ask locally which venues currently have live music. The Crawfish Festival takes place in spring.
  - Lake Martin: cypress lake in the Cypress Island Preserve (The Nature Conservancy) with a large breeding colony of herons, spoonbills and great egrets, especially from spring to early summer; alligators sun themselves on the bank. The Rookery Road along the shore is narrow and partly unpaved – leave large vehicles at the car park by the boat ramp.
  - Henderson and the Levee Road: swamp tours in flat-bottomed boats leave from the landings in Henderson into the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest swamp in the USA. The Atchafalaya Welcome Center on the I-10 near Butte La Rose explains the ecology and history of the basin.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Lake Fausse Pointe State Park: campground on the western edge of the Atchafalaya Basin behind the protection levee, sites with hookups under trees, bathhouse with showers, lakeside cabins, boat ramp and rental of canoes, kayaks and flat-bottomed boats. Three hiking trails of around 1 to 5 kilometres and a canoe trail of around 11 kilometres. The gate and entrance have fixed hours, so plan to arrive before closing; reserve through Louisiana State Parks. No mobile signal – do your shopping in St. Martinville.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Much of the land in the Atchafalaya Basin belongs to the federal government or the state, but in the Wildlife Management Areas camping is only allowed at designated sites and with the necessary permits from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Overnighting on the Levee Road and the levee crests is prohibited.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Book swamp tours for the morning or late afternoon – at midday the animals hide, and there is hardly any shade on the water. Free of engine noise, the Lake Fausse Pointe canoe trail is the finest way to experience the basin; ask locally about water levels and wind. After rain, paths in the park are muddy; watch out for fire ants when putting down levelling jacks and camping furniture.

### Stage 5: Lake Fausse Pointe State Park to Abbeville (Palmetto Island State Park) (approx. 115 km)

- **The drive:** Via the Levee Road and the LA-96 to St. Martinville, then on the LA-31 along Bayou Teche to New Iberia; from there on the LA-329 to Avery Island. Back again and on the LA-14 across the rice prairie to Abbeville and on to the park on the Vermilion River. Two-lane country roads without gradients, speed 45–55 mph, slower in the towns. Pure driving time around 2 hours. A fee is charged at the entrance to Avery Island.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - St. Martinville: the Evangeline Oak on Bayou Teche, the 1844 church of St. Martin de Tours and the Acadian Memorial with the names of the exiled Acadians; on the edge of town, the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site with a Creole house and an Acadian cabin.
  - New Iberia: Shadows-on-the-Teche, an 1834 mansion under oaks on the bayou, and the Conrad Rice Mill, one of the oldest still-working rice mills in the USA.
  - Avery Island: the island is a salt dome rising above the marsh. The McIlhenny Company has made Tabasco here since the 19th century (museum and factory tour), and in the Jungle Gardens with Bird City, great egrets nest on platforms above the pond.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Palmetto Island State Park south of Abbeville: campground in subtropical forest of dwarf palmettos, oaks and cypresses on the Vermilion River, sites with hookups, bathhouses, dump station, boat ramp and launch points for canoes and kayaks. Check facilities and site lengths with Louisiana State Parks. Alternative: a second night at Lake Fausse Pointe with Avery Island as a day trip.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Avery Island is private land, and overnighting there is prohibited. In the marsh south of Abbeville, much of the land is hunting leases and private; there are no legal free camping options.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Allow half a day for Avery Island and arrive early; there is parking for motorhomes, but the loop road through the Jungle Gardens is tight for large vehicles. In Abbeville, the Steen’s factory has been bottling cane syrup for over a hundred years – a souvenir that won’t leak. Refill water in New Iberia, which has several supermarkets.

### Stage 6: Abbeville to Ville Platte (Chicot State Park) (approx. 150 km)

- **The drive:** North on the LA-14 and LA-13 through the Cajun prairie: rice fields that are flooded as crawfish ponds in winter, water towers, small churches. Via Crowley and Eunice to Mamou and Ville Platte, then on the LA-3042 to the park. Flat, straight roads with little traffic, speed mostly 55 mph. Pure driving time around 2.5 hours. Allow for slow farm machinery and crosswinds on the open prairie.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Eunice: on Saturday evenings the Liberty Theater hosts the radio show “Rendez-vous des Cajuns” with live bands, dancing and presentation in French and English. Next door, the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center (Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve) and the Cajun Music Hall of Fame.
  - Savoy Music Center near Eunice: workshop for Cajun accordions where an open jam session traditionally takes place on Saturday mornings – listeners are welcome, and so are players. Check in advance whether it is on.
  - Mamou: Fred’s Lounge is known for its Saturday-morning dance with live music. The Courir de Mardi Gras, in which masked riders go from farm to farm, takes place here and in Eunice at carnival time.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Chicot State Park near Ville Platte: large forest park on Chicot Lake, sites with hookups, bathhouses, dump station, boat ramp and a long loop trail around the lake with basic tent sites. After lengthy renovation the park has reopened and the south campground is in operation; the north campground (North Landing) is getting new electrical, sewer and road connections and may remain closed for some time, and parts of the loop trail were also closed at times – check the current status with Louisiana State Parks. Directly adjacent is the Louisiana State Arboretum with loop trails.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The Wildlife Management Areas in the vicinity only allow camping in designated areas and with a permit; the prairie towns have no legal free camping spots.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Plan the route so you are in Eunice and Mamou on a Saturday: Savoy or Fred’s in the morning, the Liberty Theater in the evening. The drive from Eunice to Chicot is short enough to go back afterwards – but at night watch out for deer and armadillos on the road. Ville Platte has the last good shopping before the park.

### Stage 7: Ville Platte to Baton Rouge (approx. 160 km)

- **The drive:** On the US-167 to Opelousas and east on the US-190: at Krotz Springs the road crosses the Atchafalaya River on a high bridge, then continues through forest and fields to Livonia and Port Allen. Cross the Mississippi to Baton Rouge on the I-10 or US-190 bridge; at peak times the I-10 bridge is one of the worst bottlenecks in Louisiana. Pure driving time around 2.5 hours, more in traffic jams.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Opelousas: main town of the Creole prairie and home of zydeco; in town and in neighbouring St. Landry Parish there are dance halls with live music at weekends.
  - Louisiana State Capitol: at 34 storeys the tallest capitol in the USA; from the observation deck the view reaches across the Mississippi and the refineries. Next to it, the neo-Gothic Old State Capitol on the river.
  - USS Kidd: Second World War destroyer on the bank of the Mississippi downtown, with a museum; the levee in front of it is a good spot for sunset over the river.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** There is no state park campground in Baton Rouge itself. Nearest public site: Tickfaw State Park near Springfield, around an hour east, with sites with hookups, bathhouses and boardwalks through cypress forest; reserve through Louisiana State Parks. Closer to the city are private sites with full hookups, for example in Denham Springs east of the city.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Baton Rouge offers no legal free camping spots; overnighting on streets and along the riverbanks is prohibited. Rest areas on the I-10 are for rest breaks only.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The downtown area around the Capitol is manageable with large vehicles, and there is usually parking at the Capitol and by the river; on LSU game days in autumn, however, the city is gridlocked and parking is expensive – check the fixture list. To avoid the I-10 bridge, take the US-190 over the Huey P. Long Bridge, which does, however, have very narrow lanes.

### Stage 8: Baton Rouge to St. Francisville (approx. 70 km)

- **The drive:** North on the US-61: four lanes, increasingly hilly, with forest of oaks and magnolias. The Felicianas lie on loess hills above the Mississippi, and the roads to the plantations are narrow and winding. From St. Francisville, the John James Audubon Bridge crosses the Mississippi to New Roads. Pure driving time under an hour, a full day with detours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Audubon State Historic Site: Oakley House, where John James Audubon drew birds for “The Birds of America” in 1821, with woods and garden. Next to it, the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site with a 19th-century mansion and gardens.
  - St. Francisville: town centre on a ridge above the Mississippi with the 1858 Grace Episcopal Church under oaks and moss, wooden houses with verandas and small shops.
  - Tunica Hills: wooded ravines reaching to the Mississippi state line; on the Mississippi side, the Clark Creek Natural Area leads to several waterfalls in steep stream valleys – slippery after rain.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** There is no state park campground in West Feliciana; small private RV parks are around St. Francisville and on the US-61, book ahead. If you continue north, Natchez State Park in Mississippi, around 100 kilometres away, has lakeside sites with hookups.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The Tunica Hills WMA is an area of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; in Wildlife Management Areas camping is only allowed on designated sites (where they exist) and with the necessary permits, with restrictions during hunting season – check the rules for the area with LDWF. Overnighting in town and at the Historic Sites is prohibited.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The roads to Clark Creek and into the Tunica Hills are narrow and steep and unsuitable for large motorhomes; go with a small vehicle or by bike. From St. Francisville the route can continue, if you wish, on the US-61 to Natchez and onto the Natchez Trace Parkway. On autumn weekends St. Francisville is full – use the car parks on the edge of town.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- In the south, Louisiana has practically no public land for dispersed camping. Free camping is prohibited on streets, levee crests, plantation car parks and in the towns; levees belong to levee districts and are closed.
- Wildlife Management Areas of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries: camping only at designated sites, with the necessary permits and seasonal rules (hunting); check the conditions for each area on the LDWF website. The only national forest, Kisatchie, lies in the centre of the state, away from this route.
- Louisiana State Parks: reservations online, by phone or on site; a non-refundable fee is charged on every reservation, plus entry per person. Gates close at night, so plan to arrive in good time.
- Federal areas: since 2026, higher fees and surcharges apply in some cases at US national parks for visitors without US residency; check current amounts on nps.gov. The sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (Barataria, Thibodaux, Lafayette, Eunice, New Orleans) are free to enter.
- Supermarket car parks only with the store’s express permission; not recommended in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Rest areas on the I-10 and I-12 are for rest breaks.
- Wildlife: alligators live in every body of water – do not feed them (a punishable offence), keep dogs away from the water’s edge. Cottonmouths, fire ants and ticks are common.
- Apps: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt and Recreation.gov; Park4Night is barely used here.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations: at the state park campgrounds (Bayou Segnette, Fontainebleau, Lake Fausse Pointe, Palmetto Island, Chicot, Tickfaw) and at private RV parks; check the status of facilities when booking.
- Drinking water: tap water is drinkable but often tastes strongly of chlorine; after hurricanes and floods, local boil-water notices (“boil advisory”) are often in force – follow announcements from the local authorities.
- Empty grey water and chemical toilets only at dump stations; draining into bayous and ditches is prohibited.
- Propane: petrol stations, DIY stores and RV parks fill US cylinders; European cylinders are generally not filled.
- Electricity: state park sites mostly have 30 or 50 A. From May to September, air conditioning is not a question of comfort; on sites without power, the vehicle gets unbearably hot.
- Shopping and fuel: supermarkets in New Orleans, Houma, Thibodaux, Morgan City, Lafayette, New Iberia, Abbeville, Crowley, Eunice, Ville Platte, Opelousas and Baton Rouge. No supplies in the Atchafalaya Basin or on the Levee Road.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: interstates in Louisiana up to 70 mph, on some sections 75 mph; four-lane highways mostly 65 mph, country roads 55 mph. On the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge a uniform 60 mph applies and trucks must keep right, with fines doubled there; the State Police enforce intensively.
- Phones at the wheel: since 2026 it has been illegal in Louisiana to hold or operate a phone while driving – including at traffic lights and in traffic jams; only hands-free use with a mount, voice control or Bluetooth is allowed, as well as emergency calls. Seat belts are compulsory for all occupants.
- Tolls: the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway only charges southbound; pay electronically with the regional transponder or at the toll plaza, current rates by axle on the Causeway website. The Crescent City Connection in New Orleans is toll-free. With rental vehicles, clarify the toll arrangements in advance.
- Bridges and wind: long bridges (Causeway, Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, Mississippi bridges) have no hard shoulder; accidents cause long closures. During high wind and severe weather warnings, stay off the Causeway with a high vehicle; motorhomes are then at times banned altogether.
- Hurricane season: 1 June to 30 November, peaking August to October. When warnings are issued, the parishes order evacuations, “contraflow” may apply on the I-10, I-55 and I-59 (all lanes outbound) and state parks close. Check the weather daily, know the evacuation routes and leave a day too early rather than too late.
- Heat: from June to September, the heat index is often above 40 °C, and afternoon thunderstorms bring heavy rain and lightning. Schedule hikes and sightseeing for the morning. Best time to travel: March to May and October to early December; crawfish season roughly January to June.
- Emergency: 911. Mobile coverage is good in the cities, patchy in the Atchafalaya Basin, at Lake Fausse Pointe and in the marsh.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Mosquito screens for door and windows and repellent with DEET or picaridin: in the swamp, the basin and on state park sites, mosquitoes are an issue all year round, and massive in summer.
- Weather radio with NOAA reception or a severe weather app with push alerts: in hurricane and thunderstorm season every hour of warning counts, and in the basin there is often no mobile network.
- 12-volt fan and windscreen sunshade: air in the vehicle in heat and high humidity, even at night without hookup power.
- Lightweight canoe or kayak gear (life jacket, dry bag): on the Lake Fausse Pointe canoe trail, on Lake Martin or in Palmetto Island you get closer to herons and alligators on the water than from a tour boat.
- Binoculars and telephoto lens: for the breeding colonies at Lake Martin and in Bird City on Avery Island, which may only be observed from a distance.
- Wellies or waterproof shoes: after thunderstorms, paths, campgrounds and parking areas are under water, and fire ant mounds lurk in the grass.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [Louisiana State Parks – Lake Fausse Pointe State Park](https://www.lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/lake-fausse-pointe-state-park)
- [Louisiana State Parks – Chicot State Park to Reopen to the Public June 26](https://www.lastateparks.com/press-release/chicot-state-park-reopens-to-public-june-26)
- [KATC – Chicot State Park has fully reopened to the public](https://www.katc.com/news/evangeline-parish/chicot-state-park-has-fully-reopened-to-the-public)
- [KATC – Visitors at Chicot State Park to see major upgrades across property](https://www.katc.com/evangeline-parish/visitors-at-chicot-state-park-to-see-major-upgrades-across-property)
- [Lafayette Consolidated Government – Acadiana Campground](https://www.lafayettela.gov/parks-arts-recreation-culture/acadiana-campground/)
- [Lafayette Consolidated Government – Acadiana Park Campground reopens](https://lafayettela.gov/news/news-releases/2025/01/02/acadiana-park-campground-reopens)
- [FOX 8 – Repairs nearly complete for Fontainebleau cabins damaged in Ida](https://www.fox8live.com/2024/08/15/long-awaited-fontainebleau-cabins-almost-ready/)
- [WAFB – DOTD begins Phase 2 of Atchafalaya Basin Bridge Safety Corridor, speed limit change](https://www.wafb.com/2024/03/07/dotd-begins-phase-2-atchafalaya-basin-bridge-safety-corridor-announces-speed-limit-change)
- [WBRZ – DOTD restricting motorcycles, glass trucks, RVs from Causeway during severe weather](https://www.wbrz.com/news/dotd-restricting-motorcycles-glass-trucks-rvs-from-using-causeway-bridge-during-severe-weather)
- [Wikipedia – Lake Pontchartrain Causeway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Pontchartrain_Causeway)
- [Houma Times – Hands-free driving law now in effect across Louisiana](https://houmatimes.com/news/hands-free-driving-law-now-in-effect-across-louisiana/)
- [Country Roads Magazine – Saturday Mornings at Fred's Lounge](https://countryroadsmagazine.com/events/Saturdays-at-fred-s-lounge/)

## Which stops are on the route from New Orleans to St. Francisville?

1. **New Orleans** (LA)
2. **Whitney Plantation** (Wallace, LA): A museum that tells the story of slavery through the lives of the people enslaved there.
3. **Oak Alley Plantation** (Vacherie, LA): A 1839 Greek Revival mansion at the end of a double row of 28 live oaks about 300 years old. The site includes a reconstructed slave quarters exhibit; large parking lot for RVs.
4. **Houma** (LA)
5. **Thibodaux** (LA)
6. **Lafayette** (LA)
7. **Breaux Bridge** (LA)
8. **Lake Fausse Pointe State Park** (LA)
9. **St. Martinville** (LA)
10. **Avery Island** (New Iberia, LA): A salt dome where Tabasco sauce has been made since 1868, with a garden full of egrets.
11. **Eunice** (LA)
12. **Chicot State Park** (LA)
13. **Baton Rouge** (LA)
14. **St. Francisville** (LA)

## When is the best time for the route from New Orleans to St. Francisville?

The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. Hot in June–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 Cypress, zydeco and sugar cane – by camper from New Orleans through Cajun Country to St. Francisville?**
8-day road trip of about 759 km (472 mi) with 14 stops, from New Orleans to St. Francisville. About 8 h 25 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Cypress, zydeco and sugar cane – by camper from New Orleans through Cajun Country to St. Francisville?**
We suggest 8 days: about 8 h 25 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Cypress, zydeco and sugar cane – by camper from New Orleans through Cajun Country to St. Francisville start and end?**
It starts in New Orleans and ends in St. Francisville.

**Which states does Cypress, zydeco and sugar cane – by camper from New Orleans through Cajun Country to St. Francisville pass through?**
Louisiana.

**Where can you camp along Cypress, zydeco and sugar cane – by camper from New Orleans through Cajun Country to St. Francisville?**
OpenStreetMap lists 53 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 Airline Trailers of Kenner.