Best Dispersed Camping near Columbia, LA

Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Columbia? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campgrounds for your Louisiana camping adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Columbia, LA (3)

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Showing results 1-3 of 3 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Columbia

8 Reviews of 3 Columbia Campgrounds


  • Twan M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
    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.

  • Lea B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area
    Mar. 7, 2024

    Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

    Dispersed and quiet

    I ended up in the hunting-open dispersed area. There is plenty of space to fit quite a few campers there, but the ground was soft. There were no gravel parking areas, etc. 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.

  • vThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
    Apr. 22, 2023

    Highway 472 Camp

    Quick stop to rest

    So we went on the right side of the split camp coming in from the NW. 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. But 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.

  • Harrison M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area
    Dec. 15, 2020

    Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

    It’s a good one

    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. No complaints would stay again!

  • UnnamedAdventures  The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area
    Dec. 11, 2019

    Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

    Worst WMA Land Ever Visited

    This WMA land is the worst that I have ever stayed at. If you stay here and don’t need to leave your vehicle your probably safe. We ended up staying here on our drive from Texas to Alabama and thought it was a great spot on the map to stop as its close to the highway(Historic Highway 80). The location was great due to the proximity to the highway and there was very minimal road noise. Since we got their 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. 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. The next morning we kept our dogs on a tight leash and were in disarray with the amount of garbage and trash around the camping area. Overall don’t stay here unless you absolutely have to. The road in is Gravel and.05 miles from a paved road. Russell Sage WMA is open Year round. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay 14 days at Russell Sage WMA.

    Check out our blog at www.unnamedadventures.com and follow our journey on Facebook and Instagram or on our YouTube Channel at Unnamed Adventures. 

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
    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."



Guide to Columbia

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Columbia, Louisiana, where nature meets tranquility. These spots offer a chance to escape the hustle and bustle while enjoying the great outdoors.

Dispersed campers should check out Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

  • This area provides a unique experience with plenty of space for campers, though it's important to note that amenities are limited, making it a true back-to-nature experience. Check it out at Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Columbia, Louisiana

  • Be prepared for a lack of facilities; for instance, at Highway 472 Camp, you'll find vault toilets but no running water or trash services, so plan accordingly.

Enjoy wildlife viewing while free camping near Columbia

  • If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of local wildlife, consider staying at Hunter's Camp on Highway 472, where the natural surroundings provide ample opportunities for birdwatching and observing other animals in their habitat.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Columbia, LA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Columbia, LA is Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area with a 3.6-star rating from 5 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Columbia, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.