Best Dispersed Camping near Columbia, LA

Dispersed camping near Columbia, Louisiana centers on Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area and the Highway 472 Camp in Kisatchie National Forest. Russell Sage WMA offers primitive camping with minimal facilities approximately 5 miles from Interstate 20. The Highway 472 Camp, located near Georgetown, provides designated hunter camping areas in a predominantly pine setting within the Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve district of Kisatchie National Forest.

Access to Russell Sage WMA involves a short drive on gravel roads leading to a turnaround area with space for camping. A $5 permit is now required for camping, contrary to earlier reports of free access. Highway 472 Camp features a small gravel/mud loop on both sides of the highway with several cleared areas suitable for camping. Most sites lack amenities, though Highway 472 Camp does provide vault toilets and trash collection. Vehicle access is generally possible without specialized equipment, though some areas may have soft ground requiring caution during wet weather.

These primitive sites attract campers seeking seclusion and natural surroundings. Russell Sage WMA includes camping spots near a pond and offers relatively quiet conditions despite occasional noise from local livestock and dogs. A camper noted, "For quick free road side camping this is the spot! Easy parking, Zero cops, had a campfire, cooked food, slept in my hammock." Highway 472 Camp provides a wooded setting with adequate cell service. One visitor reported, "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. 2 bars Verizon service, enough to send/receive & use internet/GPS."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Columbia, Louisiana (3)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Columbia, LA

2 Photos of 3 Columbia Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Columbia, LA

9 Reviews of 3 Columbia 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."

  • UnnamedAdventures  The Dyrt PRO User
    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. 

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  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 5, 2023

    Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

    Nice and secluded

    This is a nice site at end of turn around. Next to a nice pond. About 5 miles from I20. No amenities. Beware only one camp site.

  • Debbie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2024

    Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

    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. There is a big sign at the mouth. Just a circle turn around back in the woods. I was the only car and we (me and my doggo) slept and drove away!

  • 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.

  • Lea B.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Harrison M.
    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!

  • vThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.


Guide to Columbia

Dispersed camping options near Columbia, Louisiana include primitive sites in wildlife management areas and national forests with varying levels of isolation and basic amenities. The region features pine forests and hardwood bottomlands with elevation changes of 50-150 feet across most camping areas. Water access can be limited, particularly during summer months when seasonal creeks and ponds may dry up.

What to do

**Wildlife observation: Wildlife viewing opportunities abound at Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area, particularly during spring and fall migrations. A visitor noted, "We could hear local cows and dogs but nothing so loud as to disrupt our sleep," making it ideal for early morning wildlife spotting.

**Hunting access: During designated seasons, Highway 472 Camp serves as a base camp for hunters. "This campground is a designated Hunter Camp inside the Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve. The Hwy 472 Camp allows primitive camping in a predominantly pine setting," according to one camper familiar with the area.

**Overnight rest stops: The dispersed sites provide convenient options for long-distance travelers needing a place to sleep. One traveler mentioned, "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."

What campers like

**Natural isolation: Many campers appreciate the seclusion offered by these sites despite their relative proximity to roads. A camper at Russell Sage WMA described it as "This is a nice site at end of turn around. Next to a nice pond. About 5 miles from I20. No amenities."

**Cell service: Surprisingly good connectivity is available at some sites, which appeals to remote workers or those needing to stay in touch. A Highway 472 visitor reported, "2 bars Verizon service, enough to send/receive & use internet/GPS. Close to the road but nicely wooded."

**Minimal regulation: Free camping near Columbia, Louisiana typically comes with few restrictions. "It's just a longish drive off of a nice paved two lane. There is a big sign at the mouth. Just a circle turn around back in the woods," mentioned one Russell Sage WMA visitor, highlighting the straightforward access and lack of complicated rules.

What you should know

**Permit requirements: Rules can change without notice. A recent camper at Hunter's Camp on Highway 472 pointed out that what was previously free access may now require payment: "Perfectly fine site, a very nice ranger kindly told me that it's 5 dollars, just FYI!"

**Maintenance issues: Facilities at dispersed sites often receive minimal maintenance. "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," shared one visitor about Highway 472 Camp.

**Seasonal awareness: These areas can become busy during hunting seasons. According to one camper, "This campground is a designated Hunter camp so if you plan to stay here call the rangers or know your seasons (deer, turkey, etc.)."

Tips for camping with families

**Safety considerations: Some areas may have cleanliness issues requiring extra vigilance with children. One camper cautioned about Russell Sage WMA: "We were in disarray with the amount of garbage and trash around the camping area. Overall don't stay here unless you absolutely have to."

**Space planning: The areas around Highway 472 offer varied site options that can accommodate families. "It is dispersed free camping in the Kisatchie National Forest, Catahoula district. The grounds are overgrown in places but there are a few cleared out spots with obvious old campfires."

**Weather preparation: Ground conditions can change rapidly with weather. A Russell Sage visitor advised, "There were no gravel parking areas, etc. 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."

Tips from RVers

**Vehicle limitations: Some areas can accommodate larger vehicles despite being primitive. At Highway 472 Camp, "There are a few obvious clearings along the small gravel/mud loop on either side of the road. There were even places that looked like you could back in an RV."

**Site selection: Look for previously used areas when choosing where to camp. A camper noted, "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."

**Overnight options: These dispersed camping locations are particularly useful for RVers making longer journeys through Louisiana. "Great little option as an overnight spot," mentioned one Highway 472 camper who appreciated having a no-cost camping option while traveling.

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 3.8-star rating from 6 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.