Chatham, Louisiana campgrounds are located in the piney woods region of northern Louisiana, with elevations around 200 feet above sea level and moderate humidity year-round. The camping season extends through all four seasons, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and winter nights occasionally dropping below freezing. Most RV parks remain accessible during winter months, though some primitive areas become muddy after rainfall.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 3 miles from camp. Lincoln Parish Park features a stocked lake where campers can fish without leaving the property. "The lake is beautiful with plenty of spots to fish from piers," notes a visitor who appreciated the accessibility. Another camper mentioned, "Big lake with beach (seasonal). Big Playground for young kids."
Mountain biking trails: nationally recognized. Lincoln Parish Park maintains one of the region's best mountain biking trail systems. A recent visitor shared, "11 mile trail system for hiking/mt bike. Exceptional mt bike course." Another mentioned, "A new mountain bike trail was just added. Along with a nice playground, walking trails, and fast Internet if needed."
Winery tours and tastings: seasonal events. Landry Vineyards Grape Escape offers vineyard tours and wine tastings for campers. "We took a tour of the facility, guided by the winemaker and owner. Well worth it. The wines are great, so much so that we left with 6 bottles!" A different camper enjoyed the entertainment: "We were able to time it to coincide with a Saturday afternoon/evening event there at the vineyard and it was spectacular."
What campers like
Spacious RV sites: concrete pads available. Several campers praise the well-designed sites at Lincoln Parish Park. "Spots have concrete pads. Full hookup. They take reservations, but not for a particular spot. A really wonderful place to get away!" Another reviewer noted, "You aren't assigned a site at reservation, so you'll need to get there early if you want a specific one."
Peaceful settings: vineyard views. Landry Vineyards campers consistently mention the quiet atmosphere. "It was beautiful. Nestled in the back of a vineyard, on the top of a hill," wrote one visitor. Another camper added, "We stayed at location #13 at far end of the tasting room. It was a beautiful location that allowed us to overlook the vineyard."
Easy interstate access: convenient for overnight stops. Ouachita RV Park offers accessibility for travelers passing through the region. "Right off of I-20 and on a scenic lake that the sun sets over. The mall is right across the interstate with many good restaurants," noted one camper. Another mentioned it was "very easy to get in and out of. Park is clean, quiet and very easy to get in and out of."
What you should know
Limited primitive camping options: Most RV parks near Chatham focus on hookup sites rather than tent camping. Lincoln Parish Park does offer some tent sites, but a camper warns, "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... No tent pads."
Seasonal considerations: bugs and rain. Summer brings mosquitoes and gnats. One camper at Ouachita RV Park noted, "Lots of bugs (gnats and mosquitos) but this IS Louisiana, so that is to be expected." Winter camping can mean muddy conditions after rain, with one visitor noting, "It rained all night and was a little wet; the sites are grass."
Cell service variability: Coverage depends on location and provider. Lincoln Parish Park offers surprisingly good connectivity. A camper noted, "fast Internet if needed." At other locations, service may be more limited, especially in wooded areas.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: multiple locations. Lincoln Parish Park features excellent facilities for children. "Our favorites are the walking/biking paths, fishing, feeding ducks, big playgrounds, and well-planned, level sites," shared one family. Another mentioned the "bath house, water, electric, lake, pavement bike/walking path, playground."
Security considerations: gated facilities. Several campgrounds implement security measures. One camper at Lincoln Parish Park mentioned it's "gated and need a code to get in after closing." Another noted, "Well cared for place, gated, with friendly staff."
Swimming opportunities: seasonal beach. Families appreciate Lincoln Parish Park's swimming area during summer months. "Swimming beach, playground. Campground is right on the lake," noted one visitor. The beach typically opens from late May through early September, weather permitting.
Tips from RVers
Navigating tight spaces: arrival planning. The Fishing Camp Tackle & RV Park requires careful navigation for larger rigs. "For $25 a night, this little RV park with water and power hookups to 50A is a fairly quiet spot behind a restaurant," noted one RVer. At Pavilion RV Park, another camper mentioned, "The layout is a bit tricky to navigate with a trailer, spots are close and the turns are sharp with bad angles."
Level sites: look for concrete pads. Many RV parks Chatham, Louisiana and vicinity offer level parking. At Lincoln Parish Park, a camper noted, "Spots have concrete pads. Full hookup." At Landry Vineyards, a reviewer in a larger rig shared, "The site was flat, we didn't even have to unhook our trailer."
Hookup quality: amperage options. Lakeview Mobile Home and RV Park provides various electrical options with both 30-amp and 50-amp service available among their 50 sites. A visitor described it as "Country, peaceful, Lakefront RV spots Short or Long term" with good hookup reliability.
