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The Louisiana Bicentennial of Statehood - 2012

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Quality - Historic Preservation and the Arts
78-80% of Louisiana residents believe that historic preservation and arts are important and should be high priorities.

Source: The Impact of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism on Louisiana's Economy and Quality of Life for Louisiana's Citizens - June 2006

St. Bernard State Park - Louisiana Office of State Parks

St. Bernard State Park
PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism - Office of State Parks BACK TO PARK LIST
One of several wood carvings installed by the 'Respond With Love' organization Wading pool, for smaller children Tent camping with girlfriends Spring wildflowers in the marsh St. Bernard State Park Large picnic pavilion
click any picture above to view park slideshow
St. Bernard State Park is a Land & Water Conservation Fund site 501 St. Bernard Parkway, Braithwaite, LA 70040
504-682-2101 or 888-677-7823 toll free
For reservations, call 1-877-CAMP-N-LA (877-226-7652) toll free.
Email: stbernard@crt.la.gov

Directions: 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. GPS Coordinates: N 29 51.8638, W 89 53.9374.

Hours of Operation: Site is open daily. Gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and at 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.

April-September,entrance station is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; October-March, entrance station is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Entrance Fees: No entrance fee is charged. A $4 per person, per day fee is charged for the park's swimming pool.

Complete listing of available facilities and activities


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Layout of St. 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.

Reservable Facilities

Camping:
51 Improved Campsites (water and electrical hookup)
(map of sites 2-11, 37-51)  (map of sites 12-36)		 $16/night, Oct-Mar; $20/night, Apr-Sept
America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes (formerly Golden Age & Golden Access Passports) (Available through the National Park Service. Click here for more information)
Holders of the Passes, whose state of residence also honors the America the Beautiful pass, are entitled to a 50% reduction on camping fees at Louisiana State Parks. (Passport holders are allowed one site per passport).

Additional Information About Overnight Facilities

Swimming Pool

  • Pools are open Memorial Day weekend to August 1 and closed Mondays and Tuesdays for maintenance, except for holiday Mondays. When pools are open on a holiday Monday, the pools will be closed for maintenance on the Tuesday and Wednesday following the holiday Monday.
  • From August 1 through Labor Day, pools will be open on modified schedules. Please check with the individual parks for specific days and hours of operation. All pool schedules are subject to change.

    Nearby Attractions:

    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.

    Isleño Cultural Center-Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve (Violet) - Managed by the National Park Service, the museum depicts the history of the Isleños, 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 Isleños 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. 

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