Set off to discover authentic Louisiana in an RV from Baton Rouge, a vibrant capital with Cajun accents. These three iconic itineraries, suitable for vans and RVs, explore historic plantations, mystical bayous, and scenic Mississippi routes, with campgrounds adapted for immersive nights in nature.
7-10 day itinerary: The Louisiana Essentials
Start your RV journey in Baton Rouge by visiting the Art Deco capitol and Magnolia Mound plantation, before following the Plantation Road to Houmas House and Nottoway, must-sees for their antebellum architecture. Settle into riverside campgrounds along the Mississippi. Day 3, head to New Orleans (130 km), a must for its French Quarter and Bourbon Street, with RV parking at City Park. Return via the Lake Martin bayou near Breaux Bridge for a pontoon ride among alligators and cypress trees. Continue to Lafayette (Cajun country) for live music and spicy cuisine, camping at Bayou Wilderness RV Campground. End in Baton Rouge by exploring local swamps, perfect for an immersive loop in 7 to 10 days.
14-day itinerary: The Mississippi Route
From Baton Rouge, take the Great River Road to Natchez (justified by its 1000 historical sites), starting point of the Natchez Trace Parkway, an ideal scenic byway for RVs with wooded campgrounds. Visit Oak Alley and Laura Plantation in River Parishes, sleeping on-site in suitable accommodations. Return to Baton Rouge for the LSU campus and urban bayous, then head to Lafayette for Cajun festivals and Vermilionville. Excursion to New Orleans for the Garden District and jazz, with camping areas on the outskirts. Explore Monroe and Natchitoches for Creole history, enjoying rustic campgrounds. This 14-day loop emphasizes Baton Rouge as a central hub, alternating river routes and nights in a van at the heart of Louisiana's landscapes.
21-day itinerary: Deep Louisiana
Start in Baton Rouge with Huey Long and the Mississippi docks, then traverse the Plantation Road to the bayous of Breaux Bridge and Lake Martin, camping in full immersion. Continue to Lafayette for Cajun culture, Vermilionville, and airboat swamp tours, with Bayou Wilderness as a base. A must-do excursion to New Orleans for history and music, returning via Chalmette Battlefield. Head towards Natchez and Natchez Trace for 500 km of scenic road, visiting plantations and riverside campgrounds. Explore Monroe, Natchitoches, and return to Baton Rouge via River Parishes. In 21 days, this RV journey offers a slow pace, nights in modern or wild sites, and a total immersion in the Louisiana soul centered around Baton Rouge.