Chatham camping areas sit in Louisiana's hill country near Caney Lake, about 30 miles southeast of Ruston. The region features pine forests and rolling terrain with elevations reaching 300 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing at Caney Lake: Jimmie Davis State Park provides access to Caney Lake, known for trophy bass fishing. "The only park on caney lake. Good lake for fishing and water sports, many sites you can park your boat very close," notes Adam R. about the Jimmie Davis State Park Campground.
Mountain biking trails: Lincoln Parish Park offers dedicated mountain biking courses just north of Chatham. "11 mile trail system for hiking/mt bike. Exceptional mt bike course," reports Brett B. about Lincoln Parish Park.
Wine tasting: Visit Landry Vineyards for camping combined with wine experiences. "Am amazing area for an overnight stop. The vinyard is clean and the space for parking was a great spot. Don't miss this one. Have a flight of wine and cheese sit back and enjoy," suggests Craig I.
Explore historic sites: The region includes historic plantations open to campers. "The historic plantation is absolutely gorgeous. We got the grand tour of the land, and Breston's impressive herb farm," writes LaRee S. about staying at Louisiana Herbs on Breston Plantation.
What campers like
Lakefront views: Sites overlooking water consistently receive high ratings. "The campground is right on the lake. No bad Rv spots! Spots have concrete pads. Full hookup," notes Mary G. about Lincoln Parish Park's layout.
Peaceful environment: Many campers appreciate the quiet atmosphere. "Beautiful wooded campground. Very spacious. This campground has some pull through sites which are very convenient. Nice lake with a walking path. Quiet, spacious lots," explains Becky E.
Organized events: Landry Vineyards Grape Escape RV Sites hosts concerts and tastings. "We were able to time it to coincide with a Saturday afternoon/evening event there at the vineyard and it was spectacular. We met up with Libby Landry upon arrival and she was an incredible host that got us situated at a spot right near the tasting area," shares Mike T.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. "Beautiful park. Large concrete pads with fire pit and table. Laundry and wifi. Wifi worked well in c14," mentions John R. about his stay at Jimmie Davis State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat impacts camping comfort. "During summer months, early morning walks are recommended due to high temperatures and humidity that can affect pets," applies to most area campgrounds.
Reservation systems: Most parks don't assign specific sites when booking. "You aren't assigned a site at reservation, so you'll need to get there early if you want a specific one," explains Carrie I. about Lake D'Arbonne State Park.
Wildlife awareness: Be prepared for typical Louisiana wildlife. "Spiders Galore (October). I stayed in the primitive area, site 44. Large sites. Not flat. 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," warns Hope H.
Distance from amenities: Some campgrounds require driving for supplies. "Gas station a few ministers from the park. Gated and need a code to get in after closing," notes Walt S. about the security at Lincoln Parish Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with children's facilities. "Really nice primitive spots with fire pits as well as RV spots. Clean restrooms and showers. 11 mile trail system for hiking/mt bike. Big lake with beach(seasonal). Big Playground for young kids," recommends Brett B.
Swimming options: Ouachita RV Park provides family-friendly water activities. "The park has a recreation room with a pool table, books, lots of board games, and a piano. It's slightly dated, but extremely clean and well stocked," reports Cat R.
Educational opportunities: Plantation campsites offer learning experiences. "The love and passion Breston has for horticulture really shines through his work here. I'm a house plant nerd, and I loved learning about the ins and outs(and scientific names!) of outdoor plants," shares LaRee S.
Tent camping surfaces: Ground quality varies between campgrounds. "We brought bare minimum sleeping pads(just Nemo switchbacks and bags) and it was like sleeping on a cloud. The ground was soft and cushy, perfect if you're light car-campers like we are," according to LaRee S.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Some sites require additional equipment. "The site(#3) was on the upper level and was quite scenic...a nice spot. The site was rock and not quite level since we had to use leveling blocks to avoid having the back tires of our 39 foot motorhome lifted off the ground," warns Steven V. about his stay at Landry Vineyards.
Access for large rigs: Road conditions impact accessibility. "The layout is a bit tricky to navigate with a trailer, spots are close and the turns are sharp with bad angles," cautions Allison N. about Pavilion RV Park in West Monroe.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Chatham: Multiple options welcome pets with varying amenities. "Bath house, water, electric, lake, pavement bike/walking path, playground, nationally recognized mountain bike course, group pavilions, primitive camping, beautiful rv spots," lists Walt S. describing pet-friendly Lincoln Parish Park.
Site selection strategy: Early arrival improves location options. "We were at location #13 at far end of the tasting room. It was a beautiful location that allowed us to overlook the vineyard. It was very easy to get into and out of with our 45' 5th wheel," reports Jamie R. about site positioning at Landry Vineyards.
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