Best Things to Do Near Springfield, LA

The best things to do near Springfield, Louisiana range from hiking and paddling at Tickfaw State Park to playing the David Toms golf course at Carter Plantation, fishing Lake Maurepas, and digging into fresh fried catfish at a 1934 landmark. Each one sits just a quick, easy drive from your Fireside RV Resort site in Ponchatoula, a shady full-hookup home base a mile off I-12 Exit 47. Roll in, level up, and you’re minutes from all of it.

The short version: park the RV at Fireside, then spend your days on the water, on the trails, on the golf course, and at the dinner table. Here are our favorite stops around Springfield and how far each one is from your site.

Where should you start near Springfield?

Start at Tickfaw State Park, the outdoor heart of Springfield. The park spreads across roughly 1,200 acres along the Tickfaw River and protects four distinct natural ecosystems, from cypress swamp to hardwood forest, and it has welcomed visitors since it opened in 1999. You can walk the elevated nature boardwalks, spot birds and gators from a safe distance, and let the kids loose at the nature center, which keeps regular daytime hours and shows off an 800-gallon aquarium.

Admission runs about $3 per person, and it’s free for seniors 62 and older and for children 3 and under. The gates are open daily from early morning until late evening, so it’s easy to fit in a visit before or after a lazy morning at camp. Want to get on the water? The park rents canoes by the day, roughly $25, so you can paddle the slow, dark-water river yourself. It’s about a 25 minute drive from the resort, and it makes the perfect first stop. For a deeper look, read our full Tickfaw State Park guide.

Can you play championship golf in Springfield?

Yes. Carter Plantation is a David Toms signature golf course right in Springfield, and anyone can book a tee time on this daily-fee layout. The course stretches more than 7,000 yards to a par of 72, winding through moss-draped oaks, water, and Louisiana wetlands, and it’s part of the state’s Audubon Golf Trail. It sits about 25 minutes away, so you can tee off early and still make it back to camp for lunch. Call the pro shop ahead of time for tee times and current daily-fee rates.

What about fishing and boating on Lake Maurepas?

Lake Maurepas is one of the best-kept fishing secrets near Springfield. It’s Louisiana’s second-largest inland lake, a broad, brackish basin fed by the Tickfaw and other rivers, and it’s known for largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and bream. Bring your own boat or kayak and launch for a quiet morning on the water about 25 minutes from camp. The lake stays far less crowded than the coast, which is exactly why local anglers love it. Always check current conditions and access before you head out, since water levels move with the weather.

Where can you see live alligators?

Head to Kliebert & Sons Gator Tours in Ponchatoula, only about 15 minutes from camp. This family-run alligator farm has deep Louisiana roots, and today you can walk the grounds, meet the gators, and hear how these prehistoric giants are raised and protected. Admission is about $20 for adults 13 and up and $15 for children 3 to 12, and little ones 2 and under get in free. Hours change with the season, so give them a call before you drive over. It’s a genuinely Louisiana thing to do, and the kids talk about it for weeks.

Where do locals go for fried catfish?

Middendorf’s, hands down. This Manchac institution has been serving fried seafood on the shore of Lake Maurepas since 1934, and it’s famous for what it calls the “Original Thin Fried Catfish.” That thin-cut, crispy filet is the thing to order, and it’s earned nearly a century of loyal fans. You’ll find it in Akers, right off I-55 at Exit 15, under 30 minutes from your site. They serve Wednesday through Sunday, so plan your catfish craving accordingly. Trust us, it’s worth building a day around.

Can you feed giraffes near Springfield?

You sure can. The Global Wildlife Center in nearby Folsom is a 900-acre preserve where more than a thousand free-roaming animals, including giraffes, zebras, and bison, come right up to your covered safari wagon. The preserve opened in 1991, and feeding a giraffe from your own hand is a bucket-list moment for all ages. Wagon tour tickets are affordable, with lower rates for kids and seniors, so check current prices and book your spot ahead of time. It’s roughly a 35 minute drive north toward Folsom, and tours fill up, so book ahead.

Why stay at Fireside RV Resort near Springfield?

Because Fireside puts you in the middle of all of it while giving you room to breathe. Our sites are spacious and well spaced, level, well drained, and shaded by tall Louisiana pines, with full 30 and 50-amp hookups and fast, free WiFi that actually works. The grounds are clean and well kept, and it’s the calmer, quieter kind of park, not a party scene. Best of all, we keep our pricing simple and honest. There’s no resort fee here, you won’t see a site-lock fee, and there’s no reservation service fee tacked on at checkout. No trickery, just good camping. After a day out near Springfield, come back and float the lazy river or relax by the pool before the campfire. For more ideas, browse things to do around Fireside or check our full-hookup RV sites and nightly rates.

Fireside RV Resort is located at 42053 Highway 445, Ponchatoula, LA 70454, a mile off I-12 Exit 47, roughly 25 minutes from Springfield and Tickfaw State Park. Ready to make it your base camp? Check dates and book your site today.

Frequently asked questions about Springfield, LA