Best Campgrounds near Bienville, LA

Camping options in the Bienville, Louisiana area include multiple state parks and recreational areas with varying amenities and natural settings. Lake Bistineau State Park Campground in Doyline offers tent camping, RV sites with electric and water hookups, and cabin accommodations within a classic cypress swamp environment. Cloud Crossing Complex near Goldonna provides a more rustic experience with primitive sites along Saline Bayou. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfortable accommodations.

Access to many campgrounds requires driving on state park roads that may have some deterioration. The region experiences typical Louisiana climate patterns with hot, humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall particularly pleasant for camping. Several campgrounds feature waterfront sites that provide fishing opportunities and scenic views. Most developed areas require reservations, particularly for weekend stays or during holiday periods. Cell service varies significantly across the region, with AT&T generally providing better coverage than other carriers. A visitor noted, "Lake Bistineau is a great state park near Shreveport. The sites are very shady. The park was clean and quiet, and the staff was friendly."

The lakefront campgrounds consistently receive positive feedback for their natural settings and recreational opportunities. Lake Claiborne State Park Campground features sites directly on the lake with fishing piers at some campsites. Several visitors highlight wildlife viewing as a significant attraction, with one camper reporting sightings of "whitetail deer, owls, fish/gar, butterflies, dragonflies, fireflies, and much more." Many state park campgrounds in the area include amenities such as showers, picnic tables, and fire rings, though not all offer sewer hookups at individual sites. The cypress trees draped in Spanish moss create a distinctive Deep South atmosphere that campers frequently mention in their reviews. Bathhouses at most established campgrounds are generally well-maintained, though their condition and amenities vary by location and age of the facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near Bienville, Louisiana (69)

    1. Lincoln Parish Park

    24 Reviews
    Ruston, LA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 251-5156

    $25 - $50 / night

    "Ruston is also an adorable little downtown areas to explore and has that heart of Louisiana fill. It’s also close to west Monroe where Duck dynasty hometown so that was a fun plus to visit!"

    "Close to the restrooms but not much through traffic. Large wide spots with paved cement made it easy to park and level. Full hook ups were nice. Trash cans were at every other campsite."

    2. Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Haughton, LA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 745-3503

    "A taste of the swamps in north Louisiana. Spanish moss clad Bald Cypress trees in a stereotypical Louisiana lake. Two great boat ramps, cabins and picnic tables."

    "Lake Bistineau is a great state park park near Shreveport, LA. We stayed 2 nights. The sites are very shady. The park streets and sites are asphalt. Some roads need repaving."

    3. Cloud Crossing Complex

    4 Reviews
    Winnfield, LA
    19 miles
    Website

    "But due to the recent hurricanes the hiking trail was closed and a bit of trees was down in the bayou. But over all couldn’t be happier with a small get away from the world."

    "One end of the hiking trail along bayou is very close to the campground. Bathroom bldg. at campground has pit toilets only, not flush toilets. Campsites have fire rings and picnic tables."

    4. Lake Claiborne State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Homer, LA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 677-2524

    "Many wonderfully marked hiking trails, two of the best frisbe golf courses in Louisiana. There's a nice little beach where the kids can play and a playground area as well."

    "Nice hilly trails, very nice lake views, TONS of deer, nice little beach area. Very similar to Lake Darbonne State Park just a little older and shabbier facilities, still very nice."

    5. Beaver Dam Campground

    17 Reviews
    Minden, LA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 927-2061

    $25 - $50 / night

    "We arrived around 2:00, about half of the sites were open. We stayed in #6 with great view of lake. Flat site and plenty of distance between sites."

    "Only a few sites have access to lake. All sites tent to big rig friendly with electric and water. Cell service good."

    6. Landry Vineyards Grape Escape RV Sites

    48 Reviews
    West Monroe, LA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 557-9050

    $40 / night

    "Central Louisiana! The site was amazing - nestled in the back of a vineyard, on the top of a hill."

    "This tucked back spot is a quiet slice of heaven! Enjoy a delicious glass of wine and a cheese plate under a wide open, starry sky!"

    7. Jimmie Davis State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Chatham, LA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 249-2595

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Family friendly, Louisiana hospitality."

    "Caney Lake is clean and beautiful. I enjoyed walking and sitting along the lake in the mornings. Bathrooms were clean.  Stayed in campsite#52."

    8. Creekwood Gardens

    Be the first to review!
    Bienville, LA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 263-2518

    10. Cinnamon Creek RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Minden, LA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 371-5111

    "Close to the interstate. Clean bathrooms. Excellent space in the two bathroom/shower combos. Very clean floors and laundry area."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 69 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Bienville, LA

226 Reviews of 69 Bienville Campgrounds


  • Bob M.
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Jimmie Davis State Park Campground

    Good Stay

    We were here 2 nights, the park is currently getting sewers installed at many sites so I imagine it will become even more popular.

    The staff was great, grounds clean. The shower house was great.

    Pretty place with tall pines and Caney Lake is fantastic.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Crow Lake Primitive Sites

    No annoying insects, just a place to park

    This is just the one campsite, but it's quite large and there's a turnaround which could be used for a second campsite if you have a vehicle that can handle it. The one at the top of the slope is better for larger vehicles though.

    I'm not sure if my bus would easily be able to handle going down that slope, but someone drove around it very easily in a Jeep with no trailer.

    When you enter the area, you'll see a split in the road. Take the right side and that's where this USACE campground is at.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Ivan Lake Recreation Area

    Permit required, and check in and out.

    The first thing I saw was the board. I usually check that just to make sure I know what's going on and it says you need a permit in order to stay here and you also need to check in and out every single time you leave the campground which is just stupid. There's no reason for this aside from they just want to track you.

  • H
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Lincoln Parish Park

    Spiders Galore (October)

    I stayed in the primitive area, site 44. Large sites. Not flat. If you are a tent or SUV camper you will have a far different experience than the RV campers. The tree canopy in the primitive area is thick, and the primitive sites are completely under the trees, even the parking, so not much sunlight gets through in the daytime.  The parking areas are dirt.  No tent pads. After dusk, the harvestmen "spiders" were plenteous, even around my fire.  I had to put bright lights out to somewhat ward them off. They are very large, harmless (they eat spiders), but creepy nonetheless because they come right at you (random scurrying) which is just not relaxing. At dusk I also heard a loud scream from the women's bathroom.... Not sure what was in there, as I have my own facilities, but in the very early morning, a pest control vehicle showed up.  Well cared for place, gated, with friendly staff, just too jungly for my liking. Regarding the site map, the bath house, 43, and 44 are well within view of the RVs. You might prefer a site on tent camp road, as RV folks walk and ride bikes past 43 and 44 frequently.

  • Sara B.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Hilltop Campgrounds & RV Park

    RUDE AND NO CUSTOMER SERVICE

    Horrible Customer service !! The older women that is answering phones and questions was beyond rude and short . Tried to book for 4 days bc all of the booking info states that they offer daily fees of 50.00 was told they only do monthly stays now .. had emailed the day before and called the following day when I had not received any response …. ALL AROUND JUST RUDE in her whole tone demeanor and how she spoke to people …

  • T
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Landry Vineyards Grape Escape RV Sites

    Raising my glass!

    This tucked back spot is a quiet slice of heaven! Enjoy a delicious glass of wine and a cheese plate under a wide open, starry sky! Friendly people, a warm welcome and perfect surroundings for a delightful stay in every way!

  • Shantel V.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Saline Lake Campground

    Very peaceful campground and close to Saline Lake

    Very nice people and a very well-kept campground. Great fishing in the lake and peace and quiet at the campground.

  • David B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Grand Bayou Resort

    Friendly and Quiet

    I stayed at site 29 and the site was clean and level enough for my small camper. I went to plug in the power and the box was very old and no 30 amp plug. It only had a 50 amp and 110v plug. I have a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter but for some reason it was not in my box. I did have a 30 amp to 110v adapter so I had to go that route. There is a nice laundry, men and women’s bathroom with showers. On the men’s side of the 4 toilets 2 were out of service. The showers the water trickles out with little pressure but there was hot water. The showers along the walls need cleaning as there was mildew and maybe mold. The rest of the park was clean. The beach area and peers were very nice. There was dozens of people that are clearly living out here in the campground. Lots of them are really junked up. I paid $32 per night. You can tell this campground is minimally maintained given the broken toilets and unclean showers. The folks I met out here were super nice and very friendly. Fishing is really good and the swimming beach seemed very nice. They do have locked gates with security that makes rounds.

  • M
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Love's RV Stop-Mansfield LA 858

    Great staff!

    We stayed here overnight on our way from Florida back to Idaho and needed a/c lol. Nothing special here really a parking lot, but hook ups!! The staff was exceptional though! We blew a tire and everywhere was closed, so we had to drive to Shreveport and they let us stay as long as we needed to the next day until we got it fixed. The night staff were awesome too and very informative of the area.


Guide to Bienville

Camping near Bienville, Louisiana, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Mountain Biking: Check out the trails at Lincoln Parish Park. One camper mentioned, "Woke up to peaceful morning and was able to get some mountain biking in." The park has well-maintained paths that cater to different skill levels.
  • Fishing and Boating: At Jimmie Davis State Park, you can enjoy fishing and water sports. A reviewer said, "Good lake for fishing and water sports, many sites you can park your boat very close."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Gum Springs Recreation Area. One visitor noted, "There is a nice hiking trail around the forest," making it a great spot for nature lovers.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the parks. A review for Lake Bistineau State Park stated, "The bathrooms were clean," which is always a plus when camping.
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Beaver Dam Campground shared, "Not busy at all this time of year. Nice place," highlighting the tranquility of the area.
  • Spacious Sites: Campers love having room to spread out. One reviewer at Lake Claiborne State Park mentioned, "The sites are very shady," which adds to the comfort of camping.

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Gum Springs Recreation Area, have basic facilities. A camper noted, "There is a vault toilet and one spot for potable water," so be prepared for a more rustic experience.
  • Wildlife Caution: If you're camping at Lincoln Parish Park, be aware of the local wildlife. One reviewer said, "We could hear coyotes at night," which is something to keep in mind, especially if you have pets.
  • Cell Service: Expect varying cell service quality. A camper at Lake Bistineau State Park mentioned, "Cell service with AT&T was pretty weak but manageable," so plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for parks with amenities for kids. Jimmie Davis State Park has a splash pad and beach, making it a fun spot for families. A parent shared, "Has a nice splash pad and beach for kids."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on the little ones, especially near water. A reviewer at Lake Claiborne State Park mentioned, "Whitetail deer, owls, fish/gar, butterflies," which can be exciting but also requires supervision.
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. Campers at Grand Bayou Resort enjoyed fishing and cooking their catch, saying, "Enjoyed having a waterfront site to fish and enjoy views of the river."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: Some RV sites can be uneven. A camper at Cinnamon Creek RV Park noted, "Sites are humped on pull-through sites so long rigs will have trouble leveling."
  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds that offer full hookups for convenience. A reviewer at Grand Ecore RV Park mentioned, "Full hookups and great WiFi," which can make your stay more comfortable.
  • Quiet Spots: Seek out quieter areas for a more relaxing experience. One RV traveler at Beaver Dam Campground said, "Flat site and plenty of distance between sites," which is ideal for RVers looking for peace and space.

Camping near Bienville, Louisiana, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a variety of campgrounds to explore, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next outdoor adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Bienville camping areas?

Bienville camping areas offer varying amenities depending on the location. Lake D'Arbonne State Park features comprehensive facilities including RV hookups, a pumping station, laundry room, WiFi, tennis courts, disc golf, hiking/biking trails, swimming pool, and multiple playgrounds. For a unique experience, Landry Vineyards Grape Escape RV Sites provides picturesque RV camping on a hillside vineyard. Most developed campgrounds in the area offer basic amenities like restrooms, running water, and picnic areas, while primitive sites typically provide minimal facilities.

When is the best time of year to camp in Bienville?

Spring and fall are ideal for camping in Bienville due to moderate temperatures and lower humidity. Lake Bistineau State Park Campground is particularly beautiful during these seasons when the Spanish moss-draped cypress trees create a quintessential Louisiana landscape. Early spring offers comfortable weather for hiking and outdoor activities at Lincoln Parish Park, which provides convenient access to nearby amenities. Summer brings heat and mosquitoes (described as "big enough to land at Barksdale AFB" by one camper), while winter offers milder temperatures but potentially damp conditions.

Where can I find camping in Bienville National Forest?

Bienville National Forest offers several camping options. Lake Claiborne State Park Campground provides well-maintained sites with marked hiking trails and is perfect for tent camping. For a more primitive experience, Corney Lake South Shore Campground offers free lakeside camping with basic amenities like restrooms and running water. Both locations provide good access to water activities and the natural beauty of the forest. Additional camping areas can be found throughout the forest, with options ranging from developed campgrounds to more remote sites.