Kisatchie National Forest dispersed camping near Chatham provides basic primitive camping opportunities without the amenities of developed campgrounds. Sites are scattered throughout the forest with varying levels of accessibility and conditions depending on recent rainfall and season. Hunting activities significantly impact camping availability, particularly during fall and winter seasons when hunter presence increases.
What to do
Wildlife observation opportunities: Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area offers secluded camping near water features that attract local wildlife. According to one camper, "I read the reviews about bears and put my ring doorbell out in hopes of a glimpse, but no such luck. We could hear local cows and dogs but nothing so loud as to disrupt our sleep."
Fishing access: Several dispersed sites provide access to fishing spots. One camper at Sugar Creek Hunt Camp Dispersed described finding their spot "after seeing that North shore wasn't maintained and south shore was too crowded. It's just a pull off area at the end of a two mile gravel road."
Campfire cooking: Most sites permit fires in established rings, allowing for rustic cooking experiences. A visitor noted, "For quick free road side camping this is the spot! Easy parking, Zero cops, had a campfire, cooked food, slept in my hammock right between the wildlife sign."
What campers like
Remote location: The isolation appeals to many campers seeking rustic camping near Chatham, Louisiana. One visitor to Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area commented, "Absolutely nothing there! Easy to find with the link in Dryt. Don't even try to find it on your own with Apple Maps! It's just a longish drive off of a nice paved two lane."
Cell service availability: Some sites unexpectedly offer usable cellular coverage. A camper at Highway 472 Camp shared, "2 bars Verizon service, enough to send/receive & use internet/gps. Close to the road but nicely wooded."
Multiple site options: Many of the hunting camps offer flexibility for different vehicle types. A visitor observed, "Super cute little spot. It had plenty of space/sites for big rigs, cars, tents, and hammocks. Established bathrooms and trash receptacles. Absolutely 0 service for AT&T or Verizon."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to many sites deteriorate seasonally. A recent visitor to Sugar Creek Hunt Camp warned, "The road down there is full of huge potholes, be aware! Especially at night lol."
Bathroom facilities: Most hunting camps have basic vault toilets with minimal maintenance. One camper noted, "The bathrooms haven't been maintenanced or cleaned up in the actual area. We just set up our outdoor toilet because there wasn't a soul here."
Permit requirements: Some previously free areas now require permits. A camper at Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area advised, "Perfectly fine site, a very nice ranger kindly told me that it's 5 dollars, just FYI!"
Trash concerns: Site cleanliness varies significantly between locations and seasons. A disappointed camper reported, "We got there late at night we were unable to really get a full lay of the land. We pulled in and used the turnaround and setup camp. After an incident that night with our dog rolling in human feces we knew we wouldn't like the site of the camp in the morning."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose sites with established clearings and fire rings. A visitor to Highway 472 Camp noted, "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."
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife includes both wanted and unwanted encounters. One camper shared, "After we cleaned him (thank goodness we had lots of water and dog shampoo) we went to bed only to hear barking of stray dogs."
Seasonal planning: Fall offers more comfortable temperatures and scenic views. A camper mentioned, "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."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most sites accommodate smaller to mid-sized RVs but with tight clearances. A camper at Sugar Creek Hunt Camp Dispersed reported, "There's at least three 'spots' where a big rig like ours (35ft) can fit just fine."
Ground conditions: Soft ground can cause problems during wet seasons. One visitor observed, "There is plenty of space to fit quite a few campers there, but the ground was soft. There were no gravel parking areas, etc."
Overnight convenience: These sites work well for transit stops. A camper shared, "This is nice for a quick sleep, we are driving to FL from Colorado to bring our cross country trip to an end so we needed some sleep around 1am."
