Best Dispersed Camping near Boyce, LA

Kisatchie National Forest provides several dispersed camping options near Boyce, Louisiana. Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail offers primitive camping along an 18-mile hiking path, with campsites required to be at least 30 feet from the trail center. The trail features running streams for water filtering, though campers should prepare for rough terrain with numerous elevation changes. Forest Road 380 in Kisatchie National Forest contains about five primitive camping areas, some suitable for groups, with a 30-day stay limit. A natural spring near the entrance provides fresh water, as locals frequently use this source.

Highway 472 Camp, located in the Catahoula district, is split by the highway with vault toilets on both sides. The camping area features cleared spots with established fire rings and some pull-in spaces that can accommodate larger vehicles. According to a visitor, "This is a great little option as an overnight spot. Not much to it, just a few obvious clearings along the small gravel/mud loop on either side of the road." The Evangeline Camp Complex near Boyce offers more amenities than typical dispersed sites, including drinking water, electric hookups and showers while still maintaining a primitive camping feel. Cell service is extremely limited or non-existent at most of these backcountry locations.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Boyce, Louisiana (7)

    1. Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

    4 Reviews
    Gardner, LA
    11 miles
    Website

    "I hiked about 7.5 miles in from the Valentine Lake trailhead to a large clearing by the bridge with a nice cool stream. There are other clearings nearby which would be great for a small group camp."

    "There is both primitive and fixed campsites.you have a couple Small trails in and around Valentine lake, or you caan hop on wild azeala trail and hike it. Its just short of 18 miles start to finish."

    2. Evangeline Camp Complex

    2 Reviews
    Gardner, LA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 473-7160

    "Great trail. Very well marked and maintained. Some wet areas but not bad. Awesome primitive camping sites along trail."

    "Very clean and and kept up very well nicely shaded"

    3. Highway 472 Camp

    3 Reviews
    Winnfield, LA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 793-9427

    "Vault toilets, too. 2 bars Verizon service, enough to send/recieve & use internet/gps. Close to the road but nicely wooded."

    4. Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest

    2 Reviews
    Gorum, LA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 472-1840

    "No trash pick up. No water hook ups. There is however, a natural spring that is piped just as you enter FR380. Locals come here to fill water. It’s very fresh and refreshing."

    "The drive there was beautiful. Getting to the camp site was pretty straightforward through google Maps. You can pull ur vehicle right up your camp site."

    7. Hunter's Camp

    1 Review
    Fort Polk, LA
    37 miles

    "Map shows a camping loop that appears to have been abandoned by the Forest Service. It had a dead hog blocking the loop."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Boyce, LA

1 Photos of 7 Boyce Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Boyce, LA

12 Reviews of 7 Boyce Campgrounds


  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Highway 472 Camp

    Split down the middle

    This campground is aptly named because it is split in half by a major hwy. Yes, hwy 472. There are vault toilets on both sides. It is dispersed free camping in the Kisatchie National Forest, Catahoula district, Catahoula national wildlife management preserve. The grounds are overgrown in places but there are a few cleared out spots with obvious old campfires. There were even places that looked like you could back in an RV. We will be back to this spot during the fall to see the leaves change colors. It feels secluded even if it is on the hwy.

    This campground is a designated Hunter camp so if you plan to stay here call the rangers or know your seasons (deer, turkey, etc.).

    According to the fs.usda.gov website, "The Highway 472 Camp is a designated Hunter Camp inside the Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve. The Hwy 472 Camp allows primitive camping in a predominantly pine setting."

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2021

    Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

    Wild

    Open all year 

    Primitive 

    The Wild Azalea Trail is south west of Alexandria, Louisiana on the edge of the Valentine Lake Recreation Area. There is a trail head with parking on the grass, nicely mowed but if it has rained it could be muddy. Primitive camping is permitted adjacent to the trail but campsites must be at least 30 feet from the trail center line.

     Pack it in, Pack it out 

    LNT 

    BTYFI 

    NO FIRES 

    Travel safe

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 11, 2024

    Hunter's Camp

    Quiet spot in the Pine Trees

    Nice disbursed site. Map shows a camping loop that appears to have been abandoned by the Forest Service. It had a dead hog blocking the loop. This loop is about 150 yards from the vaulted toilet and garbage receptacle.

    There is another loop adjacent to the toilet and garbage that appears to have disbursed camping spots with places where fires were made.

    The camping area is open to the sky and has yellow pines that create random shade. Great place to charge with solar panels on a sunny day.

    The only other camper is a crazy dude on the old camping loop by the dead pig.

  • Daisee Mae S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 20, 2022

    Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest

    Secluded 100% Primitive

    Let me start of by saying there is ZERO cell service. We might have been able to set our phones down and it get ONE Bar, but as soon as you pick it up it’s gone.

    The road is fine. A little hard to get through if it’s wet. The spots to stay in have very rutted roads. Pretty easy to take just about anything down it.

    There are about 5 camp areas. a few of them are group sites. Very large and spacious.

    The stay here is 30 days. No bathroom. No trash pick up. No water hook ups.

    There is however, a natural spring that is piped just as you enter FR380. Locals come here to fill water. It’s very fresh and refreshing.

    It normally is warm all year round here. But we d coded to camp in every state so far when an artic blast is moving through. So, normally in december it’s not 12 degrees for a high ANYWHERE in this state.

    It rained about 16-17 days of our stay, but we did find some amazing things. My first time finding and eating Lions Maine Mushrooms.

    Lots of trash behind some of the sites. Can definitely tell it’s a party spot. Or at least it used to be.

    All in all, this place is so secluded that no one drives out here and it’s 100% peaceful. I will definitely return to this spot.

  • Sean S.
    May. 15, 2022

    Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

    Great primitive camping!

    I hiked about 7.5 miles in from the Valentine Lake trailhead to a large clearing by the bridge with a nice cool stream. There are other clearings nearby which would be great for a small group camp. The trail itself is great and pretty well maintained. Be prepared for plenty of ups and downs and some rough terrain. There are adequate running streams to get water for filtering. From camp I went another 1.5 miles to the Evangeline primitive area parking lot (where there is a pit toilet), some beautiful views along that stretch. I would definitely do it again, but with a lighter pack and not in 90 degree weather!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 7, 2020

    Evangeline Camp Complex

    Great

    Great trail. Very well marked and maintained. Some wet areas but not bad. Awesome primitive camping sites along trail.

  • P
    Nov. 27, 2024

    Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest

    Very peaceful

    The drive there was beautiful. Getting to the camp site was pretty straightforward through google Maps. You can pull ur vehicle right up your camp site. If you're into foraging, this is definitely not the place in the winter months. There is plenty of broken trees to use for fire wood. The forest is great to explore. There is a natural spring that runs on side of the road about a half mile from the campsite. It has been piped in for easy access. The temp drops quickly during the winter months so be prepared. You do not need any kind of permit to camp here.

  • Twan M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2024

    Highway 472 Camp

    Great Overnight

    Great little option as an overnight spot. Not much to it, just a few obvious clearings along the small gravel/mud loop on either side of the road, a few more if you’re imaginative. Vault toilets, too. 2 bars Verizon service, enough to send/recieve & use internet/gps. Close to the road but nicely wooded.

  • S
    Feb. 28, 2022

    Evangeline Camp Complex

    Indian creek

    Very clean and and kept up very well nicely shaded


Guide to Boyce

Dispersed camping near Boyce, Louisiana concentrates primarily in the Kisatchie National Forest, where campers find a mix of longleaf pine ecosystems and hardwood forests. The forest sits at elevations between 80-300 feet with typical subtropical climate patterns bringing hot, humid summers and mild winters. Most backcountry sites remain accessible year-round, though winter temperatures can occasionally drop below freezing.

What to do

Mushroom foraging opportunities: Forest Road 380 camping areas provide excellent access to seasonal mushroom hunting. One visitor reports, "My first time finding and eating Lions Maine Mushrooms" while exploring the surrounding forest despite challenging weather conditions.

Hiking multi-day segments: The Wild Azalea Trail allows for section hiking with established primitive sites along the route. A camper notes, "I hiked about 7.5 miles in from the Valentine Lake trailhead to a large clearing by the bridge with a nice cool stream. There are other clearings nearby which would be great for a small group camp."

Wildlife observation: The pine forests around Hunter's Camp support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. According to one camper, "The camping area is open to the sky and has yellow pines that create random shade. Great place to charge with solar panels on a sunny day."

What campers like

Natural water sources: Many campers appreciate the natural spring near Forest Road 380. As one visitor mentions, "There is a natural spring that is piped just as you enter FR380. Locals come here to fill water. It's very fresh and refreshing."

Seclusion and quiet: The dispersed areas around Kisatchie provide genuine isolation from crowds. One camper shares their experience: "All in all, this place is so secluded that no one drives out here and it's 100% peaceful. I will definitely return to this spot."

Established clearings: Highway 472 Camp offers multiple defined camping spots for easy setup. A visitor notes, "Not much to it, just a few obvious clearings along the small gravel/mud loop on either side of the road, a few more if you're imaginative."

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Most backcountry sites have minimal connectivity. One camper at Forest Road 380 reports, "Let me start off by saying there is ZERO cell service. We might have been able to set our phones down and it get ONE Bar, but as soon as you pick it up it's gone."

Road conditions vary: Access roads can become challenging during wet periods. As noted by one visitor, "The road is fine. A little hard to get through if it's wet. The spots to stay in have very rutted roads."

Seasonal temperature fluctuations: While typically warm year-round, occasional cold snaps can affect camping comfort. A visitor experienced unusual conditions: "Normally in december it's not 12 degrees for a high ANYWHERE in this state."

Tips for camping with families

Valentine Lake accessibility: The area offers both traditional and primitive camping options suitable for families. One visitor explains, "This a a cool place to spend a weekend. There is both primitive and fixed campsites. You have a couple Small trails in and around Valentine lake, or you can hop on wild azeala trail and hike it."

Wildlife awareness: Families should take precautions around water bodies in the area. A camper advises, "Wouldn't recommend swimming in that lake. Lots of Gators and big snapping turtles. Great fishing tho."

Short-term vs. extended stays: While many sites allow up to 30 days, weekend stays are ideal for families testing primitive camping. One visitor found it appropriate for brief use: "Very clean and and kept up very well nicely shaded."

Tips from RVers

Evangeline Camp amenities: This complex offers more facilities than most dispersed areas while maintaining a rustic feel. A visitor mentions it has "Great trail. Very well marked and maintained. Some wet areas but not bad."

Camp selection based on size: Larger rigs should target specific areas like Forest Road 380. One camper reports, "There are about 5 camp areas. a few of them are group sites. Very large and spacious."

Off-season considerations: RV campers will find fewer crowds during winter months but should prepare for potential weather challenges. One visitor experienced: "The drive there was beautiful. Getting to the camp site was pretty straightforward through google Maps. You can pull ur vehicle right up your camp site."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Boyce, LA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Boyce, LA is Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Boyce, LA?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Boyce, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.