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    1. United States
    2. Louisiana

    Big Branch Apiary

    99%
    ·
    177 reviews
     · Lacombe, St. Tammany, Louisiana
    50 acres hosted by Cheri B.
    3 lodging sites · 2 Vehicle/Tent sites · 2 tent sites
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    Family-friendly
    Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
    Full RV hookups
    Electrical, water, and sewage hookups are available at select sites.
    Best in Louisiana: 2nd place
    Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
    CHERI is a Star Host
    Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
    We are a honeybee and blueberry farm on 50 acres north of Lake Pontchartrain. We're bounded by the Big Branch Wildlife Reserve to the south and a Rails to Trails bike path on the north. We are 3 miles from Lacombe to the east, Mandeville to the west, about 3 miles from Fountainbleu State Park, and an hour from New Orleans. Most of the farm is a mixed hardwood forest with designated wetlands. Desert Bayou and East Branch Bayou meander across the property. The farm has deer, foxes, bobcats, owls, fireflies, otters, raccoons, turtles, and, well, about anything common to the wilds of the Gulf South. This includes a litany of snakes, mosquitoes, and deer flies in their season. About 8 acres are used to raise poultry, bees and organically farmed blueberries. Overall, the land feels primordial and pristine. We are a designated Monarch Waystation and in the spring and fall see many migrating butterflies. We cultivate a lot of flowers so almost year round you can see butterflies in profusion. We are part of the USDAs Conservation Stewardship Program, concentrating on protecting and increasing habitat for animals and pollinators. Pets are welcome but the chickens often run free and chasing them, or the deer, ducks, sheep, etc., is not acceptable so keeping your pup on a leash when near the farm animals is encouraged. Campfires are allowed except on rare occasions, and fires help keep the mosquitoes at bay. You can hunt for deadfalls in the woods on the farm, or we can provide firewood for a small fee. This is a rustic situation: think dry camping, outdoor (heated) shower, and outhouses. We have hookups for one small RV or camper close to the barn. In addition, we have a 10x10' treehouse, and several places to pitch a tent. The farm is pretty secure--someone is on-site most of the time, it's gated, and there are security cameras at access points. But it is a farm in a rural community--you may hear roosters crow, sheep bleat, dogs bark, and the mule bray along with the sounds of owls, hawks, coyotes, and other native wildlife. If this sounds like it suits you then come on!, stay and enjoy the farm life.
    Activities
    Biking
    Boating
    Fishing
    Hiking
    Natural features
    Forest
    River, stream, or creek
    Field
    Wetlands
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    Reviews
    99% Recommend218 Ratings · 177 reviews
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    Lafayette D.
    1 month on Hipcamp
    Recommends
    · April 2025
    Camping with animals!
    A-Frame with a bayou view
    I thought the host was fabulous 😄 I didn’t really ask for anything, but I had every impression that whatever I needed would have been accommodated. In my opinion, the lodging was very nice for a reasonable price. Keep in mind this is adjacent to literal swampland, so there are bugs and different animal species out here. I definitely had a lizard and dogs keeping me company some of the time. Louisiana gets hot, too! But I was offered a fan as soon as I got in. I stayed in the A-frame, and it was the perfect shelter against the elements.
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    Seth T.
    1 month on Hipcamp
    Recommends
    · March 2025
    Tent · With pets ·
    Berry Field Camp
    My family and I really enjoyed the property here. Our tent area, berry field, was private and just a short walk to the outhouse. Speaking of, was very clean. The shower area is really nice and had no problems with heating it. It was super cool getting to walk around the property and see all of the different animals. That was my daughter’s favorite part. The three pups wondering around were very sweet. Also, Ms. Cheri is an incredible host! She showed us around and was always more than happy to answer any of our questions. Can’t wait to visit again during blueberry season!
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    Laura M.
    5 years on Hipcamp
    Recommends
    · March 2025
    3 m campervan ·
    Overflow
    Clear instructions and kindness from Cheri, and all at the farm, even on a very busy weekend! Multiple outhouses were all extremely clean and well-kept. Good value and serene setting. Especially enjoyed my long walks into the Big Branch preserve down the road.
    Avatar
    Emma C.
    3 reviews
    Recommends
    · March 2025
    Group trip ·
    A-Frame with a bayou view
    Such a lovely spot! Kind people, cute dogs, delicious bread — we’ll definitely be back. Right by the Tammany trace so we’ll bring bikes next time
    Avatar
    James W.
    3 reviews
    Recommends
    · March 2025
    Perfect Treehouse stay for 1 or 2!
    Treehouse in the Pines
    Perfect stay for me. In town for the weekend, MS Cheri provided all I needed for a quick stay. Treehouse is up off the ground so none of you height scaredy cats need apply, kind of small so no claustrophobics- but perfect for one, even two occupants close quarters, stairs up were a little narrow & tight but my 250, ok plus, frame made it fine. Perfect little stay house and it is very open but fully screened so as long as you keep the door closed, no issues with bugs:mosquitoes. If you’re or w sleeping a hammock, swinging chair, or cot, MS Cheri has all that provided. I found the cot slept best but definitely room to bring & blow up your own queen air mattress ( Not Provided) and have plenty of room to sleep comfortably. Stormy a few nights I was there, concerned about blowing rain & my things getting wet but never a drop of water came in, sealed/roofed/screened well. You will have the occasional visitors pass by, squirrels-lizards-tree frogs, but all are harmless, they just come by to say hello! :-) Perfect stay for me, peaceful, tranquil, a few neighboring campers and hens/roosters about the place, so don’t expect total silence through the night but none were an issue for this heavy sleeper. All facilities were perfect, of course not modern, so don’t expect extravagance, but nice compost outhouses, showers, and nice/thoughtful touches for all your needs. I’d say bring a nice headlamp/headlight, no power in the treehouse but who needs it when your camping/staying out right?
    Avatar
    Charlie S.
    2 reviews
    Recommends
    · March 2025
    Wonderful
    Bayou Tent
    This place was great. We stayed at the Bayou Tent. It was quiet and relaxing out there, good separation from other camp sites. Cheri and her husband have put a lot of work and love into making this an awesome getaway and making guests feel welcome. Cheri showed us her bees and peacocks. It was all pretty magical. I wish we'd had more time. We will definitely be back.
    Location
    Lacombe, St. Tammany, Louisiana, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Chahta Yakni (Choctaw) and Acolapissa First Nations according to
    Native Land Digital.
    To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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    Hosted by Cheri B.

    Joined in March 2021
    Response rate: 100%
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    Hipcamp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.