Dixie Landing/Blue Bayou may add campground

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_cfe2815a-aba9-11e8-af76-87f3d0072891.html

Dixie Landin’/Blue Bayou once again seeking major expansion with campground

BY TIMOTHY BOONE | tboone@theadvocate.com Aug 29, 2018 - 11:37 am (…)

Dixie Landin’/Blue Bayou is again pursuing a major expansion first proposed in 2008 that would create a campground and parking area near the amusement and water park at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Highland Road.

A permit notice was issued Monday by the New Orleans District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clear, grade and fill in an L-shaped tract behind Home Depot on the west side of Highland.

The corps previously authorized the expansion in September 2010 and the permit was extended five years later. The work would impact 2.81 acres of wetlands and 2.85 acres of water.

Elizabeth Haynes Harrison, director of marketing and entertainment for Dixie Landin,’ said Wednesday the current plans call for “the same exact thing.”

A 20-day period for public comments on the permit application opened Monday. Comments can be submitted to the corps and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

Owned by Sam B. Haynes Jr., Dixie Landin’ opened in 1999, built with several amusement rides Haynes had operated at the old Fun Fair Park on Airline Highway near Florida Boulevard.

The accompanying, Blue Bayou Water Park offers several water slides and swimming areas.

In addition, the park has expanded its offerings by hosting concert performances, especially country- and Christian-music artists, as well as younger performers who appear on Disney’s cable TV channel.

Based on the described location this is my best guess as to the actual placement.

is this park enough of a draw to have folks want to "camp" next to it?

I've not been to it, but thought it was a smaller, "carnival" type park, rather than a more "destination" type park?

I enjoy both types of parks, so it's been on my radar if ever near it. . but just wondering.

is this park enough of a draw to have folks want to "camp" next to it?

 

I've not been to it, but thought it was a smaller, "carnival" type park, rather than a more "destination" type park?

 

I enjoy both types of parks, so it's been on my radar if ever near it. . but just wondering.

I've only been once, the water park was very busy. The ride side picked up later in the day, but it is definitely a local's park. I can't say how big camping is in the Baton Rouge area. Throughout the country many campers are local travelers. According to this report (on page 20) 37% of US camping trips are less than 50 miles.

https://outdoorindustry.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2017-Camping-Report__FINAL.pdf

Based on a visit, A Campground is not what the park needs. It needs better maintenance, Indoor Rides (Or enclose rides), and to re-evaluate their rain policy.