Best Dispersed Camping near Cloutierville, LA

Dispersed camping options exist throughout the Kisatchie National Forest near Cloutierville, Louisiana. The area features several free primitive camping sites, primarily located along Forest Road 380 and Highway 472. These designated hunter camps and dispersed areas are managed by the U.S. Forest Service within the Catahoula district of Kisatchie National Forest and the Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve. Camping is permitted without reservations or fees at most locations, though seasonal hunting restrictions may apply.

Access roads to dispersed sites vary significantly in quality and maintenance. Forest Road 380 can be difficult to navigate when wet, with rutted sections leading to individual camp areas. Many sites require slow, careful driving, though most are accessible without specialized vehicles except during rainy periods. A natural spring piped for public use is located near the entrance to FR380, providing a water source for campers. Most areas have no amenities—no toilets, trash service, or hookups—though Highway 472 Camp does offer vault toilets and trash receptacles. Camping limits typically extend to 30 days.

The primitive nature of these sites appeals to campers seeking seclusion and natural surroundings. The landscape consists predominantly of pine forest with random shade patterns and occasional clearings suitable for camping. "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," noted one visitor to Hunter's Camp. Cell service is extremely limited or nonexistent in many areas, particularly along Forest Road 380 where one camper reported "ZERO cell service." Wildlife sightings are common, and seasonal foraging opportunities exist for mushroom hunters. Campers should be prepared for temperature fluctuations, especially during winter months when overnight temperatures can drop significantly.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Cloutierville, Louisiana (7)

    1. Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest

    2 Reviews
    Gorum, LA
    11 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."

    3. Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

    4 Reviews
    Gardner, LA
    25 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."

    4. Highway 472 Camp

    3 Reviews
    Winnfield, LA
    27 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."

    5. Evangeline Camp Complex

    2 Reviews
    Gardner, LA
    28 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"

    7. Hunter's Camp

    1 Review
    Fort Polk, LA
    39 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 Cloutierville, LA

1 Photos of 7 Cloutierville Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Cloutierville, LA

12 Reviews of 7 Cloutierville 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 Cloutierville

Dispersed camping near Cloutierville, Louisiana centers primarily within the Kisatchie National Forest and Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures at night. Most free camping options require visitors to navigate unpaved forest roads where conditions vary significantly based on recent rainfall.

What to do

Hiking the Wild Azalea Trail: Free camping near Cloutierville provides access to the Wild Azalea Trail, where primitive camping is allowed at least 30 feet from the trail centerline. "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," notes Sean S. about Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail.

Wildlife observation: The Kisatchie National Forest offers opportunities to observe native Louisiana wildlife throughout the year. "Lots of Gators and big snapping turtles. Great fishing tho," reports Chantelle M. about the Valentine Lake area, highlighting both the fishing opportunities and caution needed around the water bodies.

Seasonal foraging: Spring and fall provide opportunities for mushroom hunting in the forest areas. Some campers have found edible varieties during their stays. "My first time finding and eating Lions Maine Mushrooms," shared one visitor to Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest, though foraging success varies significantly by season.

What campers like

Natural water sources: Several camping areas feature natural springs or streams for water collection. "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," notes Daisee Mae S. This natural spring serves as a reliable water source for campers utilizing this no-cost camping area.

Secluded camping spots: Most dispersed sites offer significant privacy despite being accessible by vehicle. "It feels secluded even if it is on the hwy," writes Paula W. about Highway 472 Camp, which provides free camping options on both sides of the highway with varying levels of privacy.

Fall foliage viewing: The mixed pine and hardwood forests provide seasonal color changes. Some campers specifically plan return visits during autumn. "We will be back to this spot during the fall to see the leaves change colors," mentions one camper about the Highway 472 camping area, making this one of the appealing aspects of free camping near Cloutierville.

What you should know

Weather considerations: Temperature fluctuations can be extreme, particularly in transitional seasons. "Normally in december it's not 12 degrees for a high ANYWHERE in this state," reports one camper who experienced an unusual cold snap at Forest Road 380, underscoring the need to check forecasts before departure.

Seasonal hunting restrictions: Many dispersed camping areas in the Kisatchie National Forest are designated hunter camps with specific seasonal regulations. "This campground is a designated Hunter Camp so if you plan to stay here call the rangers or know your seasons (deer, turkey, etc.)," advises a visitor to Highway 472 Camp.

Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites have minimal to no amenities. "Vault toilets, too. 2 bars Verizon service, enough to send/receive & use internet/gps. Close to the road but nicely wooded," notes Twan M. about Hunter's Camp on Highway 472, one of the few sites with toilet facilities.

Tips for camping with families

Select sites with basic facilities: For family camping, consider locations with at least vault toilets. "The bathrooms haven't been maintenanced or cleaned up in the actually area. We just set up our outdoor toilet because there wasn't a soul here," reports Victoria about Highway 472 Camp, suggesting families should bring supplementary sanitation options.

Trail difficulty assessment: When planning hikes with children, evaluate trail conditions carefully. "Be prepared for plenty of ups and downs and some rough terrain. There are adequate running streams to get water for filtering," advises Sean S. about the Wild Azalea Trail, indicating parents should plan accordingly for more challenging sections.

Water safety awareness: Lakes and streams in the area require vigilant supervision of children due to wildlife. "Wouldn't recommend swimming in that lake. Lots of Gators and big snapping turtles," cautions Chantelle M. about Evangeline Camp Complex, highlighting the importance of water safety around camping areas.

Tips from RVers

Road condition monitoring: Forest roads accessing dispersed sites can deteriorate rapidly after rain. "The road is fine. A little hard to get through if it's wet. The spots to stay in have very rutted roads," notes Daisee Mae S. about Forest Road 380, suggesting RV users check recent weather patterns before attempting access.

Solar power opportunities: Some sites offer good solar charging potential due to canopy openings. "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," reports Kevin C. about Hunter's Camp, providing useful information for RVers relying on solar power.

Site selection for larger vehicles: Identify appropriate clearings before committing to a campsite. "There were even places that looked like you could back in an RV," observes Paula W. about Highway 472 Camp, though most sites are better suited to smaller vehicles or tent camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cloutierville, LA is Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

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