The gravel roads leading into Kisatchie Bayou NF Campground set the tone before campers ever reach a site. Several miles of unpaved driving, with potholes worth watching for, filter out those expecting easy access, and the walk-in setup reinforces the point: overnight campers park in a designated lot and carry gear to their sites on foot. The campground sits within Kisatchie National Forest and shares its day-use area with a swimming access point along Kisatchie Bayou, a waterway that runs clearer and faster than the name suggests, more like an Arkansas creek than a lowland bayou.
The 17 walk-in tent sites vary noticeably. Some have concrete pads, picnic tables, and metal fire rings; others are more primitive, with only a fire ring. Sites run alongside the bayou, and the sound of water over sandstone carries through camp. No potable water is available, and vault toilets serve both overnight and day-use visitors. Cell coverage is essentially nonexistent here, with signal dropping well before arrival. Campers with AT&T have specifically noted the dead zone. Crowds tend to peak during the day when swimmers arrive, and the campground can fill on warm weekends.
The Caroline Dorman Trail runs directly off the campsites, and the Backbone and Longleaf Vista trails are within reasonable range for day hiking. One practical note from multiple visitors: feral hogs have torn up unpacked ground in the area, so expect disturbed soil in spots. As Van N. puts it, this is "a very easy place to let your guard down." Campers wanting a developed alternative with hookups can look at Lotus Camp a few miles northwest.
Description
The campground and day-use area are temporarily closed for construction to stabilize the banks of the Bayou.
Visitors to the Kisatchie Bayou Recreation Complex can enjoy scenic views of the rocky bayou surrounded by beautiful old growth hardwood and pine which gives this out-of-the-way recreation area such a wonderful setting for visitors. Hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, and just relaxing are all popular activities enjoyed here.
Kisatchie Bayou Campground is a primitive walk-in camping atmosphere with 17 walk-in sites and 1 drive-in site at the middle parking area. Tent pads, barbeque pits, and lantern posts are at each campsite. Trash receptacles and restrooms are available, but visitors should be aware that there is NO WATER AVAILABLE at this campground. This complex is a designated fee area.
At the Day Use Area, there are vault restroom facilities, trash receptacles, picnic tables and fire rings. There are access steps to the bank of the bayou which allows canoe users to unload from the lower parking lot to the waters edge. Fishing is a very popular activity at Kisatchie Bayou with the possibility of hooking a bass, perch, sunfish, or catfish.
Map & DirectionsKisatchie Bayou NF Campground is located in Louisiana near Gorum
Public CampgroundDirections
From the intersection of I-49 and Highway 6 (Natchitoches) drive west on Hwy 6 for 4 miles. Turn left (south) on Louisiana Hwy 117 and proceed 16 miles to Forest Highway 59, Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway. Turn left (east) on FH 59 and go 7 miles to FR 321. Turn right (south) on FR 321 and go 4 miles to Forest Road 366. Turn right (west) on FR 366 and proceed to the end of the road.
Coordinates
31.445113711729608 N
93.0936110380259 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 1 hr 6 min from Alexandria, LA
- 1 hr 54 min from Shreveport, LA
- 2 hrs 5 min from Lake Charles, LA
- 2 hrs 20 min from Lafayette, LA
