Campground Review: Champagne Cajun Swamp Tours

 

Champagne Cajun Swamp Tours is one of the most unique experiences we will ever encounter!

As a member of Harvest Hosts, Champagne Cajun Swamp Tours allows RV guests to stay overnight in the empty field across from the dock. In exchange for the free campsite, RVers agree to support the small business in some monetary way. While they have a few T-shirts and mugs for sale in the gift shop, the most popular purchase is the one-hour alligator Swamp Tour.

Now, I knew Geoff would jump at the chance to take a boat ride through alligator-ridden waters, but I wasn't quite so sure I was up to the task. However, one of the reasons we chose the RV lifestyle was to partake in new experiences. When would I have another opportunity to come face-to-face with an alligator (in a relatively safe environment)? 

We checked into the site around noon (an hour later than originally planned due to an unfortunate wrong turn that required us to complete a 180 degree addjustment in the middle of a narrow gravel road 😳) Since we were the first to arrive, we had the pick of the field. This was boondocking plain and simple: no electric, water, or sewer. Nothing but an empty field and a couple of nice shade trees. Fortunately, the weather cooperated and temperatures only reached the mid-70s.

The swamp tour left the dock at 3:00pm. A total of nine brave customers boarded the vessel.  A young couple from France, a family of five, and us. Our tour guide, Johnny, was a master driver and navigated the swampy waters with ease.

We didn't quite know what to expect. I had previously read several reviews praising the tour guide's expertise but expressing disappointment in the lack of alligator sightings. However, our warm sunny day brought these cold-blooded animals out of their watery hideouts. We saw no fewer than a dozen alligators! Some sunning themselves on logs. Some popping their heads out of the water. Some relatively small and some really big (close to ten feet). While I was nervous, I never felt threatened in any way. Johnny knew how close to get without causing alarm.

I'm not sure I would ever kayak these waters alone (or with anyone else for that matter), but we did see several brave souls paddling through the swamp in search of a good fishing spot.

Johnny's knowledge of the swamp's ecosystem is impressive. He told about the various plants and trees. He pointed out different species of birds. And he knew exactly how to navigate the terrain so we never got stuck on the roots and logs below. I daresay we could take the tour several more times and still learn something new.

When we got back to the rig 90-minutes later, Hero greeted us with a wagging tail. While he barked when we left, he apparently settled down and took a nap while we were gone. Another victory!

Two other campers joined the field that night. But the space was large enough to accommodate us all without any problem. Nighttime temperatures were comfortable enough that we did not need to run the a/c ... which helped conserve battery life without using the generator.

All-in-all we give high marks to Champagne Cajun Swamp Tours. The camping spot was flat and comfortable, the tour informative, and the experience truly unique. I would hesitate to stay here in the summer months as I would imagine Louisiana heat and humidity could make boondocking a miserable experience. However, if your rig is outfitted with proper batteries or solar power, you might do okay.

*** For a complete list of all the campgrounds we've where stayed (with short reviews), view our Places We've Visited page.