Overview | Location | Cost | Planning | Experience + Ratings
Overview
Ross and I were both pumped to be able to go to Grand Isle! Grand Isle had been on my bucket list since I stepped foot in Louisiana.
LA State Parks Description:
"Take a trip to the edge of Louisiana. Fishing, birding, swimming, crabbing, hiking, sunning, boating, or just relaxing. The warm Gulf waters are enjoyed by swimmers most of the year, and Grand Isle State Park offers an excellent location for splashing in the surf. Birding enthusiasts will also delight in the beauty of the lagoons and the Gulf shore. This unique environment attracts numerous species of birds and other wildlife, so bring your binoculars or a camera to enjoy the opportunity to view nature unspoiled."
Location
Admiral Craik Drive, Grand Isle, LA70358
Cost
We booked March 25-28, 2021 (non-peak season) to stay at Grand Isle State Park in Wanda, our 27ft travel trailer. We rented a premium, back-in campsite for a total of $105.37. We booked our stay one month in advance and here is a full breakdown of our cost to stay at the campgrounds:
$91.00 - Camping Fee
$6.00 - Reservation Fee
$8.37 - Tax
$105.37 - Total
Our campsite had a picnic table and firepit. We were able to bring our two dogs, Rhyder and Quorra with no issues what so ever. They ask that you keep them on a leash and clean up after them, the typical reasonable requests.
We only used the toll bridge twice (once in and once out) for a total of $15.
3-axle Toll - $7.50 x 2
Planning
Book ahead of time! For us in non-peak season a month was enough to find a weekend spot. Grand Isle is a highly sought after location for fishing, crabbing and vacationing so make sure you plan accordingly.
You will need toll money
Fishing and crabbing gear if you plan to enjoy Grand Isle's incredible fishing
Experience Grand Isle:
Ross's Overall Rating: 8/10
Crystal's Rating Overall: 7.5/10 (woulda been higher had we gone crabbing)
The Grand Isle State Park Campground is very nice and a great place to stay for a reasonable price. There are other campgrounds in Grand Isle that are a bit pricier but also closer to some very popular fishing locations.
One of the coolest parts about Grand Isle is seeing all the pelicans. Enjoy it!
FISHING, FISHING, FISHING
We didn't exactly know what we were doing fishing in Grand Isle. Luckily we had a great campground neighbor who helped clue us into some local spots.
Elmers Island to cast net for bait fish, crab and fish
Public fishing pier at the state park campgrounds
Broadway public fishing pier
We went to the Lafitte Woods Nature Preserve/Nature Trail to see the 500 iris's they had planted. The iris's are beautiful and the boardwalk is nice but it ends and then the trail turns to unkept Louisiana coastal wilderness bordered by trashy neighbors. If you are into birdwatching it could be a great place. It is a quick nature trail you think will be great and has all the potential in the world but turned out to be awful. - SKIP IT
From Ross (the Rockhound):
From Crystal (the Meat Girl):
Trip Extras + Supporting Local
Grand Isle has some great restaurants and places to check out. We were traveling on a budget (per usual) so we cooked in the camper most of the time. We did check out a couple great places.
Jo Bobs Gas and Grill stopped on our way in for a quick supper. Can't go wrong with those Cajun favorites!
Megan's Sno-Balls - the title says it all, we went twice. (FYI Snoballs are a thing in Louisiana)
Missed Opportunities:
Crabbing!!!!!
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