Tent campsites near Elm Grove, Louisiana typically experience hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. The region sits in the northwestern portion of Louisiana with elevations generally below 400 feet. Most camping areas feature pine and hardwood forests with access to fishing opportunities at nearby lakes, including Caddo Lake and Lake Bistineau.
What to do
Fishing access points: At Earl Williamson Park, the boat launch provides direct access to Caddo Lake. "Right on the lake in town Park, cash only and no reservations but can call camp host to see if a spot is open. Park has swimming, boat launch, disc golf, corn hole and much more," reports one camper who gave the park 5 stars.
Disc golf course: The 18-hole disc golf course at Earl Williamson Park offers free play suitable for beginners and experienced players. A camper noted, "We got to play disc golf at their very nice public (free) 18 hole course. I've been carrying around the discs for years and never got to play. Now I'm hooked!"
Wildlife viewing: Camp Quapaw offers hiking trails for wildlife observation with primitive camping sites. According to a review, the camp provides "a great spot for primitive camping and tons of nearby activities including hiking at the camp and still near town for your essentials."
What campers like
Affordable rates: Wenks Landing Recreation Area in Bodcau WMA charges $12 per night with reservations available through recreation.gov. A camper mentioned, "It's cheap though! $12/night and you can book on the recreation.gov app."
Lake views: Waterfront sites at Earl Williamson Park feature views across Caddo Lake. One review states, "The waterfront sites have an amazing sun set view of Caddo Lake. Inexpensive camping sites. No full hook up sites. Good star gazing. Playground for small children."
Hunting access: Ivan Lake serves as a popular base for hunters. A camper shared, "We camp here while hunting..love this camp site no worries or problems, all nice red blooded Americans loving Gods outdoor country."
What you should know
Limited drinking water: Most primitive sites near Elm Grove require bringing your own water supply. At Teague Lake Primitive, no drinking water is available on site, and campers need to bring all supplies.
Bathroom facilities vary: At Earl Williamson Park, bathroom quality receives mixed reviews. A camper noted, "We were disappointed because the shower in the bathhouse didn't seem to work. It wasn't until the next morning that another camper clued us in about the 'private' shower for campers (get the code from the host)."
Insect preparation: The region's warm, humid climate supports substantial mosquito populations, especially in summer. At Wenks Landing, a camper reported, "It was quite buggy even in early April, but I managed to keep moving and make a fire so the smoke would help the bugs stay away."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Earl Williamson Park includes playground equipment suitable for younger children. A camper mentioned, "The park has day use area that includes playgrounds, disc golf, fishing piers, and a swim beach (that we made good use of)."
Campsite selection for tents: When bringing tents to Wenks Landing, specific sites work better than others. A reviewer advised, "If you want to tent camp or sleep in your car, only book sites 1-5. The others don't seem to have flat spots for much of anything."
Safety considerations: Turtle Slide Campground is currently closed due to storm damage. A visitor reported, "It's in a really pretty location but it's overgrown and has obviously been closed for a while. A fellow campground visitor speculated that it closed after a really destructive tornado several years ago."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Electric hookups at Earl Williamson Park are available for $12 per night, but water access points are inconsistently placed. A camper explained, "We had electricity and a covered pavilion, but no water spigot at our site. Other sites had water but some were set up for RV connections not for filling up jugs."
RV site leveling: Most tent camping areas near Elm Grove have uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. At Earl Williamson Park, a camper shared, "We were able to just pull in and find a lovely, level, shady spot."
Payment methods: Cash payment is required at several campgrounds in the area. At Earl Williamson Park, a camper reported, "Only $12 a night cash only, 2 week max."
