When we made the decision to visit New Orleans, my first concern was whether we would be able to find an appropriate (read: big enough) place to camp within easy reach of the French Quarter. We didn’t want to have to drive our big rig truck anywhere near there, and we didn’t want to be so far out of reach that public transportation would be either too costly or just a nightmare.
I did a little online research and found a handful of places that touted themselves as being close to the French Quarter. I checked their pricing, then checked them out on Google Earth to see what they looked like. What I initially found was a lot of dirt lots in sketchy neighborhoods, charging around $80 a night. None of these places looked like some place I would want to leave my RV unattended. Nor did they look like someplace I actually wanted to spend time.
Then I found the French Quarter RV Resort. It was within easy walking distance of the French Quarter, exactly as advertised. The spots were large, the property was secure and it looked like it was very well maintained. It also came with a hefty price – about $120 a night – but it was worth it to me to park the rig in an area I felt was safe. I read through dozens of online reviews, and their only knock was that an employee at the counter was extremely rude. I decided to brave the potential for rudeness and give them a call.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the staff extremely friendly and helpful. I described our rig in detail and asked if we would be able to fit in their sites. The girl on the phone told me their sites are 55 feet long, so our trailer would be fine but we would probably have to unhook the truck. I reserved a space for two nights, and requested a site away from the freeway (the back of the park butts up to I-10).
When we arrived in New Orleans and began our approach into the park, the narrow lanes, overhead bridges and twisty-turny roads wreaked havoc with our nerves, but in the end the rig ran the gauntlet without any problems and we found ourselves sitting safely at the front gate.
The park is surrounded by a tall concrete block wall with razor wire along the top. The entrance is blocked by wrought iron gates to which guests are given a code upon check-in. We arrived after the office had closed for the day, but were greeted by a friendly and very helpful night watchman. He helped us get checked in and find our site.
The RV sites in the park are fantastic. Each site is paved with flat, level brick and has a fully screened gazebo, complete with a table, chairs, a ceiling fan and white twinkle lights. All sites have full hook ups, and there is a pool, jacuzzi, laundry room, bathrooms with showers and ice machine.
Despite the fact that the park caters to big rigs, as evidenced by the numerous Prevost and Newmar busses that were our neighbors, we had a bit of a challenge getting backed into our site. We managed though, and after a little bit of maneuvering, we were able to settle in for the night after a long day’s drive. I later learned that the sites at the rear of the park, closest to the freeway, are the largest and have the most maneuvering room.
We enjoyed the two days we spent there, and found it was an easy (and relatively safe) walk into the French Quarter. The park still recommends taking a taxi or Uber if transiting to or from the park after dark. The area was pretty noisy day and night, but then you have to expect that when you’re in the heart of New Orleans.
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