Venture into the bayou nature on your New Orleans vacation when spending a day-trip at the Fontainebleau State Park. Separate yourself from the buzzing city scene and immerse in the bayou mystique through various outdoor activities. Located on the Northshore, Fontainebleau State Park is the place to enjoy various outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, biking, bird watching, and picnicking. Nevertheless, the Fontainebleau State Park has a kayak rental service that is easy to access, and the scenery of Lake Pontchartrain is just absolute cinema for a kayak adventure. Through this blog, we will help you navigate an itinerary for a day trip from New Orleans to Fontainebleau State Park.
Leaving New Orleans and Nearby Cities
Heading to Fontainebleau State Park from New Orleans takes anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour. The fastest route is to drive across Lake Pontchartrain on the 24-mile Lake Pontchartrain Causeway which is known for being the longest bridge over water in the U.S. While crossing the causeway, take a moment to appreciate the wildlife such as cypress, pelicans, ibises, herons or egrets that might pass by you on the lake surface. The other route from New Orleans to Fontainebleau State Park takes longer via the I-10 but is a better fit for people who want to see New Orleans East and Slidell on the way. Fontainebleau State Park can be reached within 30 minutes when visitors come from cities on the North Shore such as Covington, Slidell, or Mandeville. As for when to start your day trip to Fontainebleau State Park, leaving New Orleans early in the morning around 7-8AM is always recommended as you have more time to at the park and catch the early morning sight of Lake Pontchartrain on your ride. Leaving later or during the day is good as well, since people from the North Shore may head to New Orleans for work, you most likely will not be caught in traffic on the way to and back from the North Shore.
What to Pack
One hour’s drive might seem short and fast, but once you hit the road, the craving for snacks starts sneaking up. Make sure everyone in your crew brings enough for themselves; a list of what to get before the day trip is always helpful as you might want to get some drink besides water. Even if you are not a fan of snacking off while driving, it is highly recommended to have snacks and water prepared. Other essentials that are a-must include sunscreen, insect repellent, and disinfectant solution or wipes. Besides snacks and water, knowing what to bring in terms of clothing is important as well. Swimsuits, hiking shoes, water shoes, binoculars, extra clothes, and hats are all necessary for your adventure on the North Shore. If you and your crew are going to Fontainebleau from within Louisiana, bringing your own bicycles is a great idea as the park has trails for riding bikes. If you and your crew are from out of state, New Orleans offers many bicycle rental services that y’all can rent from. Surrounded by nature and abundant wildlife, Fontainebleau State Park is a fun and interesting spot for hosting picnics. Guests can bring their own picnic supplies such as a picnic blanket, ice chest, and their own food and beverages when planning to have a picnic. Furthermore, it is recommended to look at a map of Fontainebleau State Park to locate parking spots that are close to where your outdoor activities might take place. For example, if you plan to kayak, it is best to park nearby the kayak rental service booth. Lastly, the park itself has a $3 entrance fee, so be sure to bring a little extra cash for admission or other activities during your visit.
Things to Do
Fontainebleau State Park is the getaway destination for locals in New Orleans for a reason. Located in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, Fontainebleau State Park boasts a diverse array of outdoor activities, from adventurous to relaxation for visitors to partake in. Among them, kayaking is the most popular as the park has a kayak rental service, and the abundant nature here allows guests to paddle along the scenic bayou as they explore the tranquil waterways, ultimately creating one of the best kayaking experiences in the Pelican state. The park features a designated picnic area, inviting guests to bring their own food and beverages for a meal in the enchanting nature. For those looking to wander and immerse themselves in nature, Fontainebleau State Park is home to local wildlife of over 400 species, including different kinds of woodpecker, waterfowl, wading birds, songbirds, American alligator, raccoons, otters, deer, and so much more. Beyond abundant wildlife, Fontainebleau State Park also encompasses a wide range of flora and habitats such as marshes and swamps, making it a haven for wildlife as well as nature lovers. As the day winds down, visitors are welcome to take a stroll along the sandy shoreline of Fontainebleau Beach. The peaceful shoreline is also perfect for sunbathing and building sandcastles. And when your party is ready to save some memories at the end of the day trip, capture the breathtaking sunset over Lake Pontchartrain.
More Information about Fontainebleau State Park
- Operation hours – the park opens daily from 8AM to 8PM
- Entrance fee – Fontainebleau State Park has an entrance fee of $3 for adults and free for seniors 62 or older and children under 3 years old; the revenue from admission all goes to maintain the park.
- Visitor center location – coming from New Orleans via the Causeway, visitors will take Hwy 190, then turn right on Ground Camp Rd to reach the visitor center location. At the visitor center, there are maps, information interpretive programs, and guests can learn about the park’s history
- Reservations for camping – the park has 12 deluxe cabins, 163 campsites for RV and tents, and three group camps. Make sure to book in advance when planning to go on a few days trip for camping.
- Amenities for campers – picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms, cabins come equipped with basic cookware, dishes, and silverware.
FAQ
How far is Fontainebleau State Park from New Orleans?
Located in St. Tammany Parish, Fontainebleau State Park is 45 45-minute to one-hour drive from New Orleans. The park is popular among locals when it comes to outdoor activities as it boasts an open water experience with beautiful sunset views and beach access.
What can you do at Fontainebleau State Park?
Fontainebleau State Park offers an array of outdoor activities from relaxing activities like fishing, picnicking, hiking to something more adventurous, such as kayaking and biking trails. At the park, visitors can easily access kayaking as there is a kayak rental service here.
Where to go kayaking in New Orleans?
The Big Easy has several great spots for kayaking in the city and outside of the city that are within a one-hour drive. Bucktown and Marrero are great options. Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville is another must-visit spot for kayaking near New Orleans. Located on the North Shore, the park has waterways that are easy for anyone to kayak in and charming bayou sights. Bayou Adventure offers kayak kiosks all over the area.
