Planning Your Event FAQ

Here are some questions are guests often ask when they are planning to host an event at the park:

Cabins

Q1: When are your cabins going to re-open?

A: Our cabins were badly damaged during Hurricane Katrina. We plan on rebuilding, however, due to work being done on the levee along the Marcello Canal, rebuilding efforts have been put on hold until construction is finished.

Picnic Area/Day Use Events:

Q2: Can I hire a DJ to play music at my event?

A: Not without prior approval. Generally due to the high amount of visitation at our facilities, we do not allow DJ’s. However, we do allow our guests to use small “boom box” type radio as long as it does not offend or disturb our other guests.

Q3: Can I have an inflatable castle/slide/moon walk at our event?

A: Due to the fragile ecosystem our park is located in, we do not allow any sort of water slides or water attractions. Bouncing castles/moon walks are allowed ONLY if the person providing the equipment provides the park with a $1 million liability insurance policy IN THE NAME OF THE PARK upon arrival.

Q4: Can I fish in the park?

A: Yes! Anywhere there is water and is open to the public, with the exception of in the boat launch area, is open for fishing. However all guests must follow all wildlife and fisheries rules, including having fresh and saltwater licences.

Q5: If I rent a pavilion, do my guests have to pay to enter the park?

A: Yes. Anyone entering the park between the ages of 3-62 must pay $1 per person.

Q6: Can I go ahead and pay for my guests?

A: Only if you have made prior arrangement (at least 1 business day) with the park manager. We suggest you plan ahead if you plan on asking for a tally to make sure the manager is available to speak to you.

Q7: I rented a pavilion. Does that guarantee my guests parking?

A: Pavilions 6 and 7 do have their own private parking lots. All other parking is done on a first come, first served basis. Our facility has ample parking, however, some spaces may require guests to walk a short distance. Parking on the grass is not allowed and STRICTLY enforced.

Q8: Do the pavilions have power outlets?

A: No. If you require power for your event you will need to provide a generator.

Q9: Can I have a crab/crawfish boil?

A: Yes, provided that you properly dispose of any shells and waste you make. We would appreciate it if you brought along extra garbage bags to make it easier for our staff to maintain a clean park.

Wave Pool

Q10: I want to plan a birthday party/event at the wave pool. How can I do that.

A: In all actuality, that is a hard thing to do. We operate the wave pool on a strict first come, first served basis, and anyone wanting admission into the pool has to be physically present and waiting in line when it is their turn to purchase admission into the pool. Due to the limited number of lifeguards we are able to hire and liability issues, we are only allowed to admit 25 guests per lifeguard. Once we have let in the allocated number of guests, no new admissions will be allowed; wrsitbands cannot be transferred, resold or swapped. On weekends, holidays in particular, many guests have been known to show up early before the pool opens to wait in line to guarantee admission. If you plan on having an event, you must ensure that all your guests show up early enough to purchase admission to the pool. Anyone showing up after we have sold out will not be allowed in. Anyone attempting to enter the pool illegally will be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Also, no outside food or drinks are allowed in the pool area; we have a concession stand in the pool or you may enjoy your outside food or beverages in the picnic area.

Q11: I am just dropping someone off at the pool. Do I have to pay the $1 admission fee?

A: Yes. Everyone who enters the park must pay the entrance fee. However, if you plan to later pick someone up, make sure you keep your receipt so you don’t have to pay a second time!

Q12: Do infants and toddlers have to pay to enter the pool? What about seniors?

A: Everyone entering the pool complex has to pay to enter. Any child under 4 feet tall may enter at a reduced rate, however, they are required to wear a life vest at all times.

Group Camp

Q13: I would like to have an event at the group camp but only need 1 or 2 dormitories. Can I rent just what I need at a reduced rate?

A: No. The Group Camp is rented as 1 facility for the basic rate.

Q14: Does the Group Camp come with admittance to the wave pool or a discount for the wave pool? How many guests are allowed to swim at a time?

A: The wave pool is a separate facility from anything else and its admission must be purchased first come first served. We do have a small pool for our overnight guests, however, the maximum capacity for that pool is 50 individuals. In order to allow all of our guests equal opportunity to utilize this pool, the group camp guests will be issued 25 wristbands to the OVERNIGHT GUEST pool, they may then swap them out with our front office to allow different guests to swim. NOTE: The overnight guest pool is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tues- Sun Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends when staff and weather allow. A lifeguard may not be on duty at this pool.

Camping

Q15: What kind of sites do you have for camping?

A: All of our sites are 50 ft. back in sites. They are all equiped with water and 50 and 30 amp electricity as well as a 110 outlet. None of our sites offer sewerage, all grey and black water must be stored and dumped at our dump station. Illegal dumping of even grey water is strictly prohibited and violators will be cited. All sites also have a picnic table, fire ring, and charcoal grill.

Q16: Does renting a campsite grant me admission to the wave pool?

A: No. Please see Q14 and Q10. Overnight guests are allowed to request up to 6 wristbands for the overnight guest pool for only those guests who are camping on the site.

Q17: What amenities does your campground offer?

A: The campground has showers, restrooms, a free laundromat and a dump station. There is a pool for our overnight guests open from 10 am to 530 pm Tues- Sun from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends. Our campground also has free wi-fi, though the bandwidth is often limited, especially when we are busy.

Q18: are any of the campsites different from the others? Do some sites have more shade?

A: Sites 8, 10, 82 and 85 are handicapped accessable sites. Certain sites are equiped with decks next to their slabs (will add site #’s soon). Unfortunately, very few of our sites have much shade as a result of recent hurricanes. We have replanted trees, but we’ll have to wait for them to grow!

Q19: Can I get good cellular/satellite reception in the campground?

A: For the most part, yes! The main problem we run into is people staying around the back side of the loop (from sites 35-65) connecting to AT&T.

Q20: I am coming in for a campsite after the office closes. What should I do?

A: Call us! If your reservation is paid in full, we can check you in and have your information waiting for you. If you don’t have a reservation or you haven’t paid in full yet, we can temporarily set you up until the next morning.

Q21: I am due to check out on a date but I have business to attend to and I don’t know if I will make it back to check out by 1. What should I do?

A: You MUST contact us before you leave the park. Generally, your best bet is to extend your reservation or move to another site, however, we try our hardest to accommodate special needs whenever possible. If you do not contact us and there is a reservation for the site you are overdue on coming in, we may be left with no alternative to calling a tow truck.

Q22: I hate this lock on the overnight gate! Why can’t you get some other system?

A: We have one in the works! Unfortunately, future levee work will result in the road to the campground being moved, so we have to wait until the new road is built to install our electronic system.

General

Q23: What is going on with all these speed bumps?

A: Yes, we have to drive over them too! In an effort to remind our guests that they are in a play area, we have placed these speed bumps along our long straight roads. Just remember every time you drive over them, that they are there for the protection of our joggers and kids on bikes, and they save the Rangers from having to write a lot of tickets!

Q24: What are the park hours?

A: The front office is open from 7am to 7pm on Sun- Thurs and 7am-10pm on Fri- Sat. The main gates of the park are open from 7am-9pm Sun- Thurs and 7 am- 10pm Fri and Sat. Campers and boaters entering outside these hours must use the overnight gate.

Q25: How safe is you park?

A: Very! Our Park Rangers are all fully commissioned law enforcement officers, as is the Assistant Manager. Don’t be surprised if you see our vehicles patrolling around the park making sure everyone is safe. With very few exceptions, there is at least 1 Law Enforcement officer on park grounds at all times. That being said, we can’t watch your possessions all the time for you, so we suggest making sure your valuables are locked up securely.

To make a reservation, please call 1-877-CAMP-N-LA or visit http://www.reserveamerica.com. For more information please see our rules and facilities pages or contact the park at 504-736-7140 or 888-677-2296 toll free during business hours. Please do NOT contact the reservation center for questions about rules and facilities.

If you think we overlooked a common question, please ask it in the comments section.