Fontainebleau State Park | Louisiana Office of State Parks

Sunset over Lake Pontchartrain makes for beautiful evenings
Lakefront cabins built in the style of the ‘old fishing camps’ from the 1930s
The Tammany Trace runs through the park, for plenty of walking and cycling
Experience south Louisiana nature, along the marshland boardwalk
You don’t have the leave the state to sit on a white sandy beach

Travel
Advisories [1]

DHH Beach Monitoring Program (May 1 – October 31 annually)

Address:
62883 Hwy. 1089
Mandeville, LA 70448

Coordinates:
30.345013, -90.022842

Park Map:

Hours of Operation:
Site is open daily

Gate Opening Times:
Sunday through Thursday

open at 6 a.m.
close at 9 p.m.

Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.

open at 6 a.m.
close at 10 p.m.

Entrance Station Hours:
Sunday through Thursday

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.

8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Entrance Fees

$3 per person
Free for seniors (62 & older)
Free for children (3 & under)

Phone:

985-624-4443

1-888-677-3668

Email:
fntbleau@crt.la.gov

Online Reservations

The crumbling brick ruins of a sugar mill built in 1829 by Bernard de Marigny de Mandeville, founder of the nearby town of Mandeville, suggest an interesting history for this site, and indeed there is. The wealthy Marigny developed this area across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans as a sugar plantation until 1852. The plantation income helped support his lavish lifestyle. He named his large land holding Fontainebleau after the beautiful forest near Paris, a favorite recreation area of the French kings.↓ show more

The 2,800-acre park is located on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. On a clear day, visitors can see the lake dotted with multi-colored sailboats of all sizes and types. The sandy beach also is a delight for sunbathers. An old railroad track that runs through the park has been converted into the Tammany Trace as a part of the Rails to Trails program. It is a wonderful route for cycling, hiking and in-line skating. After a full day of activities, overnight guests can enjoy the rustic charm of the campground or the scenic setting of the lakefront cabins.

The park's nature trail is a favorite of nature lovers. Interpretive signs along the trail will help you identify many of the common trees and shrubs. Always be on the lookout for birds and other animals. Over 400 different species live in and around Fontainebleau. The Fontainebleau Birding Guide is a good resource for enthusiasts to identify the numerous species of birds found in the area. Bordered on three sides by water--Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou Cane and Bayou Castine--and characterized by a convergence of diverse ecosystems, it has a multitude of habitats for birds.

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Fontainebleau State Park on Facebook

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program promotes outdoor recreation, ranging from land acquisition to development of park facilities.
This Louisiana State Park site has received assistance from the LWCF.

Reservable Facilities
A $6 non-refundable fee will be assessed on each reservation transaction made online, via phone, or as a walk-in.

Cabins/Lodges/Group Camp: Basic cookware, cooking utensils, dinnerware, silverware, towels and linens are provided. Bring your own food and personal supplies; group camp visitors will also need to bring their own dishes, silverware, paper products, bathroom tissue, towels and linens. (click here for facility layouts)

Deluxe Cabins	$150/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs $175/night plus tax, Fri-Sat	12 available, 3 are ADA compliant; sleeps up to 8 people with 1 double bed, 2 bunk beds and 1 queen sofa sleeper.
Standard Lodge	$155/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs $210/night plus tax, Fri-Sat	Sleeps up to 10 people with 2 double beds and 3 bunk beds
Group Camp I	$600/night plus tax	Includes dining hall/kitchen and 2 dormitories, sleeping up to 100 people.
Group Camp III	$300/night plus tax	Includes dining hall/kitchen and 2 dormitories, sleeping up to 65 people

Pavilion

$120/day

Maximum Occupancy of 100 people.
*Unit is equipped with grills/fire rings.

Meeting Room

$160/day plus tax

Capacity is 50 people for both Conference and Theater set-ups
CLICK FOR RENTAL INFORMATION

Additional Information About Overnight Facilities

Camping:
A $6 non-refundable fee will be assessed on each reservation transaction made online, via phone, or as a walk-in.
( map of sites 1-3,79-98) ( map of sites 4-23,49-60) ( map of sites 61-78) ( map of 'old' campground, sites 99-143)

23 Premium Campsites (19 pull-through sites (one with sewerage hookup) and 4 campsites with sewerage hookups, all with water and electrical hookup)	$33/night plus tax, Fri-Sat $30/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Apr-Sept $25/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Oct-Mar
103 Improved Campsites (water and electrical hookup)	$28/night plus tax, Fri-Sat $25/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Apr-Sept $20/night plus tax, Sun-Thurs, Oct-Mar
37 Unimproved Campsites (no hookups)	$18/night plus tax
Primitive group camping area (2 sites)	For Scouts and organized groups: $35 per night for 25-person site, $60 per night for 50-person site.
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 Fees

Use of Personal Golf Carts on State Park Property - $10/cart per day; $100 annual permit available. Proof of cart insurance required; must be operated by a licensed driver.

Boat Rentals
Bayou Adventure – Kayak and Paddleboard rentals at Cane Bayou on the eastern end of the park, offered daily;. Rental includes life vests, paddles, instructions/map, and a dry bag for personal belongings.

Kayak Rentals	Single - $39/day
Paddleboard Rentals	Single - $39/day
Visit the website or call 985-882-9208 for booking information or to confirm prices.

Hiking

Trails at Fontainebleau State Park

4.8-mile hiking trail
1-1/4 mile nature trail

Reports on Enslaved Peoples at Fontainebleau

One of two historic markers at the park note the place where slave cabins once stood on the grounds of the former plantation and the other is in memory of the Native Americans who lived in the area prior to European settlement.

Reports on each of the peoples, researched by Jackson Cantrell, a member of BSA Scout Troop 119, Istrouma Area Council, can be found at the below links, or at the park's Visitor Center.

Enslaved People of Fontainebleau

Native People of Fontainebleau

On-Site Activities:

Water Playground - Louisiana State Parks' water playgrounds operate Tuesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the facilities will be closed on Mondays for cleaning and maintenance. Please contact the park directly, to confirm that the playground is open or for additional information.

Birding
A Birder's Guide to Louisiana gives directions to over 100 areas for birding throughout the state, includes maps, Louisiana specialties, and contains beautiful photography and checklists of Louisiana birds and other wildlife. The Guide was produced through a partnership between the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area and the American Birding Association.