Grand Isle, LA

[Hodum]

Has any one camped at Grand Isles, State Park in LA? If so how about a little descriptive talk of it. It looks like a place that I would like to camp while I am in LA. this coming March.

[Lily&Me]

We've been down there, as with probably every square mile of Louisiana at some point in time.

It is a neat drive, with the houses on stilts on both sides of the road and folks selling fresh shrimp for $ every block or so.

It is a nice, neat and well-maintained park, with beautiful views of the ocean. Windy and the sound of the ocean surrounds you.

Miles from anywhere, so stock your frig and pantry before you go.

The bathhouse is open to the air and unheated.

If you've never been, go!


Maggie

[Hodum]

Thank you for the information. From the pictures I've seen of the park it looks like the place I would like to spend a few days.

[Protagonist]

According to the official Grand Isle State Park web site (Grand Isle State Park - Louisiana Office of State Parks) the LA Highway 1 bridge that is the only way on and off Grand Isle became a toll bridge in 2009, tolls paid in the southbound direction only. You cannot pay cash for the toll, but have to buy a Geaux Pass, which is good for any toll bridge in Louisiana (Including both LA-1 and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway). You can get a pass, either single-use or seasonal, either one good for 90 days before it expires, at http://www.geauxpass.com.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

According to the official Grand Isle State Park web site (Grand Isle State Park - Louisiana Office of State Parks) the LA Highway 1 bridge that is the only way on and off Grand Isle became a toll bridge in 2009, tolls paid in the southbound direction only. You cannot pay cash for the toll, but have to buy a Geaux Pass, which is good for any toll bridge in Louisiana (Including both LA-1 and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway). You can get a pass, either single-use or seasonal, either one good for 90 days before it expires, at http://www.geauxpass.com.

That's good information. New since we were there, I think in 2008. Thanks!

I guess they only need to charge one way.


Maggie

[scubachris]

Grew up on Grand Isle, and the state park is awesome. You can stop in Golden Meadow, and get a pass, but you might have to park on the side of the road. Their is a grocery store, but expect to pay high prices for everything. Also, be advised that Golden Meadow is a speed trap. Go below the posted limit. Bring some flounder gigs and go gigging on the beach. Mmmmm flounder. Have fun.

[Hodum]

I sure like what i am hearing. Thanks.

[Lily&Me]

We were down there for several days just recently.

The bathhouses are new and temperature controlled.

Staff and campground hosts are great, laundry is free, beach is lovely.

They have a newly-enforced local ordinance about no dogs in swimming areas, which is being interpreted to mean the BEACH. There was a lot of discrete letting-the-dogs-run going on, early in the am and late in the pm, however.

Still a great drive down, still lots of places selling fresh shrimp very cheap.


Maggie

[scubachris]

Originally Posted by Hodum

Has any one camped at Grand Isles, State Park in LA? If so how about a little descriptive talk of it. It looks like a place that I would like to camp while I am in LA. this coming March.

I just came back from Grand Isle, and went by the state park to take some pictures for you. Two are of the spots for campers, one of the bath house, and one of the outside showers.

[scubachris]

Originally Posted by Hodum

Has any one camped at Grand Isles, State Park in LA? If so how about a little descriptive talk of it. It looks like a place that I would like to camp while I am in LA. this coming March.

Here is the observation tower and the pictures from it.

[Hodum]

Originally Posted by scubachris

i just came back from grand isle, and went by the state park to take some pictures for you. Two are of the spots for campers, one of the bath house, and one of the outside showers.

thank you so much!!!

[scubachris]

Originally Posted by Hodum

thank you so much!!!

Anytime!

[Lily&Me]

Yikes!

Grand Isle tornado knocks out power, but no one hurt | NOLA.com

There is no place to hide in Grand Isle, and no quick or easy evacuation.

Glad no one was hurt.


Maggie

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

Yikes!

Grand Isle tornado knocks out power, but no one hurt | NOLA.com

There is no place to hide in Grand Isle, and no quick or easy evacuation.

Glad no one was hurt.

Yeah. While getting ready for work this morning, I saw video shot by a Grand Isle resident of the tornado, which struck the house next door to his. Impressive video, but heroically stupid (or stupidly heroic) to stand there in an open doorway and film rather than hunkering down inside a bathtub or something.

New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Video

Still, it was the first tornado to hit Grand Isle in about twenty years, and I'd be less worried about tornadoes at Grand Isle than in southwest Oklahoma where my parents live.