If
you are in a motor home, have a tent, or want a beautiful
“river-side” house … Bayou Segnette State Park in Louisiana
is the place to be!
Just
over the Mississippi River from thriving New Orleans is
a secret get-a-way just a day's drive from Central
Texas. I am talking about beautiful, modern, vacation homes,
not 50 year old cabins that you may be accustomed to finding
at many state parks. The above view is the back side
which has screened-in area, or open area where one can fish
from the rail.
I
challenge you to go online and don't forget and hold your
breath as you view the beauty .http://www.lastateparks.com/bayouseg/byusegne.htm.
I
just spent the night in one of the beautiful accommodations
that await your visit, and this is one place I promise will
not disappoint you. There are 98 campsites with complete
hook-ups, tent camping, 24 air conditioned waterfront vacation
houses where you can fish off of the back walkway, or view
from the screened porch, or just stand there as I did, enchanted
and memorized as the sun moved slow motion over the horizon,
and made me forget about the cup of coffee that sat neglected
on the wooden rail before me. The sunsets are in competition
with the sunrises—you will have to decide the winner. Basic
cookware, cooking utensils, dinnerware, silverware and linens
are provided (take extra just incase) , but you
bring your own towels, food and personal supplies like soap,
etc. The last published rate was $65, and this is to sleep
8 people with plenty of room with the loft type design and
separate bedrooms.
There
are discounts for those with a Golden Age & Golden Access
Passports from the National Park Service (1-800-GO-PARKS)
or www.nps.gov. With GA-GA Passports you receive a 50%
discount and these may be used at Federal Parks the nation
over, and a lot of State Parks.
How
To Get There ...
(7777 Westbank Expressway, Westwego, LA
70094; 504-736-7140 or 1-888-677-2296) is located across
the Mississippi River from New Orleans. With boat ramps,
a beautiful marsh environment, camping, cabins, a group
camp, swimming, fishing and playgrounds, this park offers
unforgettable outdoor experiences. There are three primary
routes to reach the park. (1) From I-10, take I-310 south.
Cross the Luling Bridge over the Mississippi River, and
exit US 90 east (toward New Orleans). US 90 becomes the
Westbank Expressway. As you enter Westwego, look to your
right. (2) Alternatively, from I-10 (in Metairie), take
the Clearviw exit south. Follow Clearview all the way to
the Huey P.Long Bridge and cross the Mississippi River.
Travel to the Westbank Expressway (Business US 90). Again,
look to your right off the expressway. (3) Or, from New
Orleans, follow I-10 to cross the Greater New Orleans Bridge.
Take the first exit onto Business US 90, which is the Westbank
Expressway. Follow the expressway for several miles; the
park will be on your left. To reserve a cabin, group camp,
meeting room or picnic pavilion, RV site, call 1-877-CAMP-N-LA
toll free (877-226-7652). (Taken from the web site)
The above picture is New Orleans as you can view it
near the state park. You are just that close!
A
state park with a wave pool? You better believe it—I personally
saw it! All of this only thirty-minute drive from
New Orleans! There is picnicking, boating (great boat ramps),
canoeing, swamps and marshlands to explore, an ecosystem
abounding with moss-draped cypress trees, world-class-bird-watching,
‘gators, mink, bald eagles, are among the abounding wildlife
awaiting your visit. Traveler's Secret :
Stay here, cheap rates, visit New Orleans, save big
bucks . There are facilities for group retreats or
meetings that handle as many as 100 people.
While
in the area don't forget to visit unique Westwego (there
is a PGA golf course in the making in the area). Go online
to visit this lovely area at www.cityofwestwego.com.
An experience you or the children will never
forget is the Cypress Swamp Tours. Having done the jungles
of Africa, the Amazon, and rain forest of Central America,
it takes a lot to hold my interest in eco-environments,
but this did! This authentic swamp tour is nestled
in the heart of a working Cajun fishing village Cypress
Swamp Tours have been conducting tours since 1984, and specialize
in swamp tours and offer transportation from downtown New
Orleans with ticket purchase . At the state park, you are
only minutes away. This is a great place to buy fresh shrimp
and other seafood as it comes in off the boats (much cheaper
than back home), so bring plenty of ice chests! See it in
advance at http://www.cypressswamp.com/
(or make your reservations there).
I
just returned from this area, so feel free to e-mail me
with questions.
Happy
Traveling.
