Our very first Sun Outdoors RV Resort experience happened to be in Panama City Beach Florida over the holiday season. It was the first stop in our overall few months trek heading westward. And our maiden RV stay with our newborn. We had originally planned on heading straight for Texas next, but newborn life had us contemplating taking it a little slower. Which was perfect timing when we got to chatting with fellow RVers who recommended another Sun Outdoors property in Louisiana. We had really been enjoying the Panama City Beach Sun Outdoors amenities and the staff was so kind and welcoming. So, we decided to take their recommendation and give the Sun Outdoors New Orleans Northshore in Ponchatoula, Louisiana a try and we were not disappointed! Located about an hour north of New Orleans, this RV Resort has incredible amenities with plenty of fun for the whole family! So, we settled in for a month to take in the rich Louisiana culture!
We don’t usually stay at the resort style RV parks, but we do look for campgrounds with amenities such as laundry and pools. But WOW did we hit the jackpot here because there are two pools and a lazy river at this park! One pool is adults only after 3pm and it was heated. Now, we aren’t sure if the 3pm rule was just for the off season or if that applies to summer months as well. The other pool is for kids and families although it, along with the lazy river, was not heated when we stayed. We mention that because we stayed during their off season in January/February. Although the pools were still open, we weren’t exactly dealing with summer temperatures, but we did get to enjoy the adult pool a few times. There was also a hot tub which we always love. The one thing we did miss out on was the two swim-up bars that are open in the adult area of the pool and lazy river. Unfortunately, they were closed since our stay was during the off-season, but if we come through again during warmer months, we will definitely take advantage of them!
This resort is probably the most family friendly RV park (not called Jellystone) we have stayed at in terms of variety of activities for the whole family. If sports are your thing, the options are plentiful! They have a sand volleyball court, and half-court basketball area, two pickleball courts, and shuffleboard, all with a view of the on-property lake. But our son’s favorite by far was the 18-hole mini-golf course that was included with our stay. He loves mini golf, so we ended up playing quite a few rounds and it never got old! It’s a pretty challenging course and provided tons of fun for all of us! Additionally, there is also an arcade/game room and a large playground to help kids wear themselves out before bedtime!
Not to leave the grown-ups out, once those kiddos are tucked snuggly in bed, there is a clubhouse and lounge area with a full bar featuring daily happy hours, games and activities. Just a short walk across the campground from any RV site, clubhouse overlooks the lake and is a great place to wind down the day, catch up with friends, new and old, and keep an eye on the game between rounds of bingo or LCR!
The amenities don’t stop there. The resort features two comfort centers with laundry facilities and bathrooms. The bathrooms are very clean, and each individual room contains a sink, shower, and toilet for a nice private experience. The laundry machines are in good shape, but we felt there could have been more units for as many campsites as the resort has. We had several occasions where we had to wait for machines and the campground was by no means near full capacity. Not a deal-breaker, by any means but something to note. There is also a very nice fitness center on-site to get a good sweat in. It’s one of the nicer campground fitness centers we’ve seen.
I’ve mentioned the lake a couple times, and while we did not take advantage of it due to the weather being on the colder side, it is the hub for tons of fun in the warmer months. Located in the center of the property, most of the fun stuff is within view of the large lake. The sports courts and mini golf course all overlook the lake, as do the clubhouse deck, pool areas, and poolside picnic tables. The resort offers kayak and paddle board rentals for guests to get out on the water during the summer months. And there is a huge roped-off swim area to beat the summer heat along the sandy beach at the lake. Adjacent to the shore of the lake is an amphitheater that hosts live shows, movie nights, and other events.
We haven’t even mentioned the available golf cart rentals, poolside cabanas, lakeside campsites with seating and fire pits, the cottage rentals on the lake, and dog park to run your furry friends. There really is so much to do without even leaving the resort! But let’s be honest, when you’re near New Orleans, you’re going to want to get out and experience the local culture, food, and sights!
The resort is located on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain in a town called Ponchatoula. It’s about an hour north of New Orleans, 45 minutes east of Baton Rouge, and within 20-30 minutes of several other unique and interesting towns (or parishes) including Hammond, Covington, and Slidell. There is so much to see, do, and experience in the area and it all centers around the unique Cajun culture that makes Louisiana so special! From spicy local cuisine and French architecture to gator ranches and swamp tours, there is no shortage of life-enriching experiences to be had within a short drive of the resort!
We had an amazing stay at the Sun Outdoors New Orleans Northshore. And even though we were there for a full month and did lots of fun stuff, we only scratched the surface of the things we wanted to see and do in the area. Thankfully, we did get to experience a couple Mardi Gras parades in Slidell and really enjoyed them! This time of year is so festive around Mardi Gras and it was really cool to see how they celebrate. We also got a King Cake from a local bakery that was absolutely amazing!
So, if you happen to be traveling along I-10 through Louisiana or are trying to pin down your next vacation destination, this is one to keep on your list! The resort itself is tons of fun for the whole family, and a great hub to get out and explore the New Orleans area and all it has to offer.
