Kisatchie National Forest's Evangeline District holds Valentine Lake Northshore Campground, a small Forest Service site on the edge of a 46-acre lake ringed by pine and hardwood. The campground runs roughly 12 to 16 sites, with six positioned directly along the water. No hookups are available. Dry camping only, at $10 per night on a first-come, first-served basis.
The lake itself is the main draw. Motorized boats are not allowed, which keeps the water surface calm enough for kayaking and canoeing. Anglers use both the lake and a fishing pier near the water-adjacent sites. Alligators are present and visible from shore, particularly in the mornings. As Taylor C. notes, "Watch for the alligators if you're near the water." They are not aggressive, but they are not shy either, and feeding them is strongly discouraged.
The campground sits close to the Wild Azalea Trail, a 26-mile hiking route that draws backpackers finishing multi-day trips. Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail and Valentine Lake South Shore are nearby alternatives for groups that arrive to find the Northshore full. Kincaid Lake Campground is another Forest Service option in the area. Campers who want to bring dogs will find this site accommodating, as will those browsing dog-friendly camping near Kisatchie National Forest more broadly.
A few practical notes: the pavement pads at each site are narrow and showing wear at the edges, though tent camping directly on the grass is not permitted. Bathrooms are pit toilets, with variable cleanliness depending on recent use. Weekend visits in fair weather can bring crowds, so midweek stays tend to be quieter. A camp host and ranger do make rounds. The site works well for anglers, paddlers, and hikers using the Wild Azalea Trail as a base.
Map & DirectionsValentine Lake Northshore Campground is located in Louisiana near Gardner
Public CampgroundCoordinates
31.24389488 N
92.67995582 W
Connectivity
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- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/12/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/12/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/12/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/12/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 15 min from Alexandria, LA
- 1 hr 34 min from Lafayette, LA
- 1 hr 37 min from Lake Charles, LA
- 1 hr 42 min from Shreveport, LA
