Did you know you can camp in the French Quarter of New Orleans? While this vibrant area is far from the typical landscape where you’d expect to find a campground, the French Quarter RV Resort is a short walk away, offering urban camping at its finest. On this week’s episode of The RV Atlas podcast we welcome Kerri Cox to share a campground review of the French Quarter RV Resort and everything you need to know about camping in the Big Easy.
Kerri and her husband, Russell, recently spent spring break in NOLA. They soaked up the beautiful March weather, as well as the town’s music, food, architecture, and natural offerings. The French Quarter RV Resort provided a comfortable place to relax after busy adventures in the city.
To hear Jeremy talk about Kerri’s full campground review of the French Quarter RV Resort, click play on the media player above or look for The RV Atlas on your favorite podcast app.
Location of the French Quarter RV Resort
Location is everything when it comes to the French Quarter RV Resort. It’s located just off Interstate 10 and a few blocks from the French Quarter. By day, it’s easy to walk to the entertainment district in 15-20 minutes. The famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is just 10 minutes by foot — more on that in a minute.
Kerri and Russell opted to arrive at the campground midday to avoid any rush hour traffic in NOLA. The drive in was not too busy. To reach the campground, you’ll exit the interstate and navigate a city street for approximately 1/4 of a mile. Aside from the potential for traffic at the busiest times of day, the campground is super easy to reach, despite its urban environment.
NOLA does have a bit of a reputation as a dangerous city, but Kerri felt safe at the park. It is gated and has 24-hour security onsite. The main thing is to just pay attention to your surroundings and to not venture off the main path. At night, it’s advisable to take a cab home (Kerri and Russell actually took a human-powered bicycle taxi home one night and found it an exhilarating way to return to camp–there aren’t many places where you can do that!).
French Quarter RV Resort Campground Details
CAMPSITES: French Quarter RV Resort offers 52 campsites. Each is paved and has full hookups. All sites are back-ins and measure at least 30 feet by 60 feet in length. Big rigs will fit right in. Premium sites have gazebos or cabanas with lounge furniture, while the standard sites do not. Sites are fairly close together, as you might expect in a private RV park; however, Kerri felt the spacing was fair for an urban park.
AMBIANCE: While there is some grass between sites and landscaping around the pool, the sites themselves are not particularly scenic since the park is practically located under an overpass with a giant billboard towering above. Again, this is not traditional campground scenery, so you have to go in understanding that it truly is urban camping. You will hear lots of road noise and the city environment.
AMENITIES: While the scenery isn’t particularly beautiful, the campground is truly NICE. The pool and hot tub are small but have a resort vibe. The clubhouse has private bathrooms and showers, as well as a laundry room, all of which are clean and well maintained. The park does mostly cater to adults, but you might spot some kids rolling through, just like other campgrounds.
RATES: Expect to pay premium prices. Currently (as of 2024), standard sites are $120 a night (plus taxes). These sites are closer to the highway and under the brightly-lit billboard. Premium sites are $155 a night. These are slightly less noisy, have upgraded furniture, and may back up against a fence instead of being back-to-back with other RVs. While pricy, these rates are much lower than hotels in the area.
Insider Tips for Your Stay at the French Quarter RV Resort
- The Basin Street Station is just a 5-minute walk. It’s a stop for the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, which offer a fun way to navigate the city without a vehicle. It also has a visitor center and cute cafe with coffees and sandwiches. It’s also the departure point for tours of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
- The campground does book up, particularly for Mardi Gras, the annual Jazz Festival, and more. Expect to pay higher prices during these special events. Summer is actually the slow season.
- French Quarter RV Resort’s FAQ page has lots of helpful info for planning your visit to the park and the city.
- If you want more of a natural environment, Bayou Segnette State Park campground is highly reviewed and just 20-30 minutes or so outside of the French Quarter.
- Is New Orleans just a party town? No! There is so much to see and do that you can fully enjoy the city (even with kids). The party never ends on Bourbon Street, but the rest of the French Quarter is calmer (though, probably not true during Mardi Gras).
Things to Do While Camping in New Orleans
There’s more to see than the French Quarter! While the district is within walking district from French Quarter RV Resort, it’s worth doing a bus tour, driving, or using public transportation to venture out to city parks, the Garden District, and more. Here are a few things Kerri and Russell enjoyed:
- French Quarter: With its historic architecture, this is the true heart of the city. Stroll to Jackson Square to find artists, horse-drawn carriages, live music, street cars, and more. Of course, Bourbon Street is a party by day or by night. But, there’s more to the French Quarter than the booze. You’ll find restaurants, galleries, book stores, and more. Don’t miss Crescent City Books.
- The Presbytère: Located on Jackson Square, this Louisiana State Museum has permanent exhibits about Mardi Gras and Hurricane Katrina, offering a nice glimpse into the city’s history.
- Cemeteries: New Orleans is famous for its above-ground burial vaults. A cemetery tour is a must! You can only visit the oldest, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, with a tour. Check out Nicholas Cage’s pyramid-shaped vault that is awaiting his arrival., and learn about the infamous voodoo queen Marie Laveau.
- City Parks: Several parks offer a natural retreat outside of the city—and good places to check out the iconic Live Oak trees with boughs of Spanish moss: City Park and Audubon Park.
- Mississippi Riverfront: A fun and cheap way to experience the river is with a ferry ride ($3). You can also stroll the riverfront or book a ride on a steamboat for a classic journey.
- Garden District: A bit further out, this area is home to the classic historic New Orleans mansions.
- Music: Aside from all the street music, venture inside to find classic jazz and more. Preservation Hall is a classic spot to take in a show. We wish you could hear this photo!
To hear more details about where to go and what to eat while camping in New Orleans, listen to the full campground review of the French Quarter RV Resort by clicking play on the media player above or by looking for The RV Atlas on your favorite podcast app.
Where to Eat While Camping in New Orleans
You could eat day in and day out and still find more food and treats to enjoy in New Orleans. Here are just a few recs:
- Cafe du Monde — you have to get beignets while in town, of course! Get them at the Jackson Square location and walk to the riverfront. (Insider tip: The lines are long all day, so go at night. Get your beignets to go and walk over to the riverfront.)
- Central Grocery & Deli — grab a muffuletta sandwich to go (even if the temporary liquor store location looks sketchy, trust us!)
- Katie’s Restaurant & Bar — featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives (don’t overlook the simple chicken sandwich!)
- The Court of Two Sisters — great place to sample creole and cajun fare alongside traditional offerings while enjoying a jazz brunch
- Monty’s on the Square — great food on Jackson Square
- District Donuts, Sliders, & Brew — The Hot Chicken & Honey Butter Biscuit is to die for (and, even though it’s only on the breakfast menu, you may be able to get it later in the day). The ice cream is also delicious!
- Pralines — many places sell these local favorites, but Kerri especially like Laura’s Candies
To see Kerri’s photos of her trip, check out Travels with Birdy on Instagram. For more of her travels, head to the Travels with Birdy blog.
We hope you enjoyed this whirlwind tour of New Orleans! Did we cover everything you could see, do, or eat in the Big Easy? Absolutely not! However, we hope you got a sense of what it’s like to camp in New Orleans. Do you think you would try it?
