SAINT BERNARD STATE PARK
St. Bernard State Park is the ideal spot for visitors who are seeking a family atmosphere and natural experience, as well as for campers who don't want to or cannot stray far from civilization. Many campers consider combining a camping vacation with a touring vacation of the New Orleans area. The Chalmette National Historic Park, Jackson Barracks, and other historic sites and plantation homes are also nearby.
A local family business donated the land for St. Bernard State Park to Louisiana in 1971. Today, St. Bernard State Park provides a much-needed recreation area, as well as relaxing and enjoyable surroundings for anyone wishing to experience a portion of Louisiana's natural beauty.
Located right along the Mississippi River, the park contains a network of man-made lagoons which provides a peaceful, natural setting for relaxation. Woodlands meet wetlands in St. Bernard and the park's nature trail is the perfect way to introduce children to the joy of discovery in nature.
Picnic tables, barbeque grills, restrooms, and a large, covered pavilion complete with a grill are ideal for a family outing. The swimming pool and bathhouse will delight youngsters and their families all summer long. Visitors may also launch their boats one-tenth of a mile from the park's entrance in the Caernarvon waterway and experience some great fresh and salt water fishing. Hours of Operation: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. All park sites close at 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.
Located right along the Mississippi River, the park contains a network of man-made lagoons which provides a peaceful, natural setting for relaxation. Woodlands meet wetlands in St. Bernard, resulting in a diverse habitat for wildlife, including rabbits, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, turtles, alligators, and a wide variety of birds. The nature trail through the park is the perfect way to introduce children to the joy of discovery in nature.
Picnic tables, barbeque grills, restrooms, and a large, covered pavilion complete with a grill are ideal for a family outing. The swimming pool and bathhouse will delight youngsters and their families all summer long. Visitors may also launch their boats one-tenth of a mile from the park's entrance in the Caernarvon waterway and experience some great fresh and salt water fishing.
Day-UseHiking Trailyes
Swimming Beachyes
CampingWater/Electric Sitesyes
Overnight camping facilities include 51 sites, each equipped with water, electrical hook-ups, a picnic table and a barbeque grill. A nearby bathhouse offers hot showers and laundry facilities to make camping more comfortable. Restaurants, grocery, a drugstore and other conveniences are located a few minutes away in the town of Poydras. St. Bernard State Park is the perfect destination for campers seeking the best of city convenience along with the serenity of an excursion into the woods.
BBs / Inns
Balcony Guest House is 'your bed and breakfast above' Schiro's Grocery and Cafe ground floor... and conveniently located at 2483 Royal Street. Only 6 blocks down river from the French Quarter and 4 blocks from Frenchman Street.
10.5 miles from park*
Saint Bernard State Park is located near Belle Chasse, Chalmette and Gretna
Bayou Segnette State Park (7777 Westbank Expressway, Westwego) - Minutes from New Orleans and situated where woodlands meet marsh, the park offers 20 waterfront cabins, 98 improved campsites, a group camp, wave pool, conference center, playgrounds, picnic tables and pavilions, a large boat launch, and abundant wildlife.
Fairview-Riverside State Park (12 miles east of Madisonville on LA Hwy. 22) - Nestled among magnificent live oaks at the the edge of the cool clear waters of the Tchefuncte River, this park features 81 improved campsites, excellent fishing, canoeing, and picnicking. A nearby boat ramp offers access to the park and Lake Pontchartrain.
Fort Pike State Historic Site (Adjacent to "Old Spanish Trail" US 90 approximately 23 miles east of downtown New Orleans) - This historic masonry fort was completed in 1827 to defend New Orleans. Stroll through arched casemates and stand overlooking the Rigolets as sentries once did, enjoy living history programs, visit the museum, or picnic at the pavilion.
Louisiana State Museum (French Quarter, New Orleans) - One of New Orleans' top ten attractions, the State Museum is comprised of the Cabildo, 1850 House, the Old U.S. Mint, and the Presbytere, which houses a year round Mardi Gras exhibit.
New Orleans and the Historic French Quarter - Visit downtown New Orleans, museums, casinos, Aquarium of the Americas, the Riverwalk, or take a cruise on the Mississippi River.
Chalmette Battlefield-Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve (8606 W. St. Bernard Hwy., Chalmette) - This is the site of the Battle of New Orleans, an American victory over the British in the War of 1812. Visitors may also tour Beauregard House and Chalmette National Cemetery.
Isleno Cultural Center-Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve (Violet) - Managed by the National Park Service, the museum depicts the history of the Islenos, descendants of Spaniards from the Canary Islands, now living in St. Bernard.
San Bernardo Scenic Byway - Takes you from downtown New Orleans via Rampart Street to LA 46 in Chalmette, site of the Battle of New Orleans, past the ruins of De La Ronde Plantation, Ducros Museum and Library, and the Islenos Museum, through the historic fishing villages of Yscloskey and Hopedale, and past the 1787 St. Bernard Cemetery.
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (20 minutes northeast of downtown New Orleans off I-10 east) - You can fish, hike, bike, or canoe the wildest part of New Orleans in these scenic wetlands. There are free tours every weekend in this prime birding area.
Canary Islands Descendants Association Museum (600 St. Bernard Parkway, Hwy 39, Adjancent to St. Bernard State Park) - Visit the "Lopez House" featuring a genealogy room with a library, artifacts and memorabilia centered on the "Islenos Culture." Call (504) 682-1010 for more information. The site is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For groups of 10 or more, please call for reservations.
St. Bernard State Park--(501 St. Bernard Parkway, Braithwaite, LA 70040; 504-682-2101 or 1-888-677-7823) is located approximately 18 miles southeast of New Orleans in St. Bernard Parish. Follow I-10 to I-510/LA 47 south to Chalmette. Take a left on LA 46 and proceed through Violet to Poydras. Turn right onto LA 39 south at Poydras. The park is located one-half mile on the left between Caernarvon and Braithwaite. Or, from the French Quarter, take North Rampart (LA 46) south through Violet to Poydras. Turn right onto LA 39 south to Caernarvon. The park is located one-half mile on the left. To reserve a campsite or picnic pavilion, call 1-877-CAMP-N-LA toll free (877-226-7652).
We love this park as a quick get away because we live near by. It is always clean. The rest rooms are clean but I do wish they had doors on the shower stall instead of just shower curtains!
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