Roadtrip with RVshare New Orleans to Vicksburg

While you can go straight up Interstate 55 on a New Orleans to Vicksburg, MS, road trip, you would miss a lot of fun along the way, like exploring the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve along with Natchez National Historical Park. This route takes you through beautiful scenery between the Mississippi River and the Homochitto National Forest, but you will want to stop at state parks along the road to get a closer view. There are many exciting points of interest, like the Mississippi Museum of Agricultural and Forestry, that you will want to explore. Traveling this route in an RV makes it convenient to stop where and when you want, including in cities like Baton Rouge, St. Francisville and Port Gibson.

Nearby National Parks

When deciding on your New Orleans to Vicksburg, MS, road trip itinerary, you will want to allot some time to visit some of the beautiful national sites that these two states have to offer. Check out our national parks guides for ideas of national parks you can tack on to your trip.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve  

Six sites spread across New Orleans and the Delta comprise Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, and they are a great way to learn about the history of this area. Start your visit at the French Quarter Visitor Center by listening to the morning park ranger talk about the history of the area, and see the historical displays related to this city’s founding by the French in 1718. Then head to the Barataria Preserve to hike along the trails through the woodlands. Next, head to Chalmette Battlefield to learn about the Battle of New Orleans and attend one of the twice-daily military weapons talks. Hop in your RV to head to Lafayette to hear the local folklore, and learn about more history at the Acadian Cultural Center. Learn to speak Cajun, experience Cajun food and learn some folk songs at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice. Finally, take a walking tour by stopping at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux. 

Natchez National Historical Park  

Start your visit to the Natchez National Historical Park by stopping at the Natchez Visitor Center, where you can learn more about the role that this community played throughout history, especially during the Civil War. Then go on a scenic driving tour, which includes stops at the Bandstand at Bluff Park, where a eulogy was given for President Lincoln; the site where federal troops landed on July 13, 1863; and Rosalie Mansion, which was used as the Union’s headquarters. Head on down the route to see Fort McPherson, which was constructed by Union soldiers; the Clifton home, which was partially destroyed by Union troops to build the fort; and the Marine Hospital used by Federal troops to take care of the wounded. Visit the Natchez City Cemetery, where many Confederate soldiers are buried, and the Natchez National Cemetery, where many Union soldiers are laid to rest.

Nearby State Parks

Louisiana and Mississippi also feature many state parks that are full of unique ecosystems and lakes to explore. Make sure that during your road trip from New Orleans to Vicksburg, MS, you visit some of the following parks.

Tickfaw State Park  

Located on the Tickfaw River’s banks near Springfield, Louisiana, Tickfaw State Park is a fantastic place to go fishing in the swamps. Rent a canoe at this park to explore the Tickfaw River. The river is also a favorite place to go waterskiing. Hike along the boardwalk to see four unique ecosystems and the animals and plants that live in each one. Park rangers often give guided hikes along the boardwalk, allowing you to learn even more. Your children will love splashing at the Water Playground. 

Bogue Chitto State Park  

Bogue Chitto State Park’s location on Lake Pontchartrain’s north shores makes it a great place to go stargazing away from light pollution during your New Orleans to Vicksburg, MS, road trip. During the day, you will want to float on the slow-moving river at this park near Franklinton, Louisiana. You can also rent a canoe or kayak and paddle through the swamps. You can also go tubing on the Bogue Chitto River. Excellent freshwater fishing conditions exist at this park, so bring along your pole and bait. Rent a horse to ride along the dedicated trails where you might see wild turkeys, beavers, alligators and more. 

Lake Bruin State Park  

Take your fishing to a new level on your New Orleans to Vicksburg, MS, RV road trip on the 3,000 acres of water at Lake Bruin State Park near St. Joseph, Louisiana. The three long fishing piers are great places to crappie fish or launch your boat from the boat ramp to go bluegill fishing from the water. Play on the sandy beach, and go for a swim. The area around the lake is a gorgeous place to go on a nature hike.

Lake Lincoln State Park  

In northwest Lincoln County, Mississippi, Lake Lincoln State Park is the perfect place to spend a day at the lake. You may want to go fishing from the shore or in a boat on the 550-acre lake. The more adventurous will want to go waterskiing. Play on the 1.5-mile-long swimming beach, or challenge your friends who came along on your New Orleans to Vicksburg, MS, RV road trip to a game of disc golf on the well-maintained course. This park is a fantastic place to go on a nature hike, especially in the spring when the magnolia and dogwood trees are blooming.

LeFleur's Bluff State Park  

LeFleur’s Bluff State Park in Jackson, Mississippi, is the perfect place to play a round of golf on the nine-hole course. Work on your game on the driving range so that you will be ready to beat your companions. Then head to the small fishing lake for some pier fishing fun. After you are finished, play a round of disc golf on the course surrounding Mayes Lake. Your children are bound to love the playground, and you will love eating at the shaded picnic tables.

Along the Way

Magnolia Mound Plantation  

Originally constructed in 1791, Magnolia Mound Plantation enables you to see how the early French Creole residents lived. Tour the home, open-hearth kitchen, slave cabins, pigeonnier, overseer’s home, privy and other structures.

Longwood Plantation  

While in Natchez, Mississippi, see the largest octagonal house in the United States by stopping at Longwood Plantation. Work inside this home was stopped during the Civil War and never completed because the owner died of pneumonia. Therefore, you will notice the elaborate furnishings on the first floor and the barren upper floors.

Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum  

Jackson’s Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum is a terrific place to learn about the history of farming and logging in this region of the country. As you stroll through the buildings set up to look like a small farming community, interact with characters who portray different people in the community. Numerous holiday events occur here, like Pumpkin Fest and Homestead for the Holidays. 

Lower Mississippi River Museum & Riverfront Interpretative Site  

Learn about Mississippi River flooding by stopping at the Lower Mississippi River Museum & Riverfront Interpretative Site in Vicksburg. Take a tour of the M/V Mississippi IV, which is a United States Army Corp of Engineer’s work vessel. Listen to stories of the Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927, and view aquariums filled with local river fish.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Baton Rouge, Louisiana  

You can find many incredible things to do in Baton Rouge, including watching games at LSU Tiger Stadium, taking in shows at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center and exploring Magnolia Mound Plantation. There are many different campgrounds in Baton Rouge with some offering many amenities, like the Baton Rouge KOA/Holiday, while others provide a quiet space to camp, like Night RV Park. Baton Rouge RV dump stations can be found at Sugar Hill RV Park and Baton Rouge KOA.

Natchez, Mississippi  

Natchez is a beautiful city where history has been carefully restored at many locations, like the Natchez National Historical Park and the Longwood Plantation. Natchez State Park and Plantation RV Park are a couple of Natchez campgrounds you will want to consider including on your New Orleans to Vicksburg road trip itinerary. RV dump stations in Natchez are available at River View RV Park and Natchez State Park.

Jackson, Mississippi  

Located near the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum is the Mississippi Museum of Natural Sciences and the Mississippi Children's Museum, so you will want to spend several hours exploring this area. It’s a good thing that there are several great Jackson campgrounds, like Swinging Bridge RV Park and Goshen Springs Campground. There are also convenient Jackson RV dump stations at both of these campgrounds.

Find Adventure from New Orleans to Vicksburg

Find your One-Way Rental

Explore history while reconnecting with nature during your road trip from New Orleans to Vicksburg. Making the journey in an RV allows you to stop at many unique places. If you do not have an RV, you can rent one in New Orleans or Vicksburg.