Dispersed camping spots near Fairbanks, Louisiana offer a mix of primitive sites and developed options, situated among the region's pine forests and waterways. The area sits at low elevation with gently rolling hills that provide natural drainage during Louisiana's frequent rain events. Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area recently implemented a $5 permit requirement for overnight stays, a change from its previously free access policy.
What to do
Fishing access: Poverty Point Reservoir State Park provides direct reservoir access for anglers. "Kids had a blast walking to the reservoir and hiking some trails. Will go back! One of the friendly park groundskeepers came and said hello when we arrived and introduced himself," notes Abraham H.
Wine tasting: Landry Vineyards offers camping with the unique opportunity to enjoy vineyard views and tastings. "The winery was fantastic! 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!" shares Shaun C.
Hiking trails: Multiple trails wind through the forested areas around camping sites, with varied difficulty levels. "The RV camping area has a nice, new, and clean restroom and shower facility with coin-operated laundry," notes Heath H. about facilities at Chemin-A-Haut State Park.
What campers like
Level sites: Many RV parks feature concrete pads or gravel sites designed for easy setup. "Our site was LEVEL!!! Gravel site, pulled in, put the truck in park and we were almost perfectly level. Nice and quiet," reports Roscoe's R. about their stay at Ouachita RV Park.
Private spots: Campers appreciate the spacious layout at certain parks. "It was a beautiful location that allowed us to overlook the vineyard. It was very easy to get into and out of with our 45' 5th wheel," Jamie R. mentions about their experience at Landry Vineyards.
Clean facilities: The well-maintained bathhouses receive frequent positive mentions. "Bathrooms are hands down the best I've ever seen. Campsites aren't on top of each other but are pretty close," writes Taylor C. about Chemin-A-Haut State Park.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Some wildlife management areas now charge fees. "Perfectly fine site, a very nice ranger kindly told me that it's $5, just FYI!" reports Cole J. about Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area.
Seasonal crowds: Many campgrounds see minimal usage during weekdays but fill on weekends. "We stayed at Landry Vineyards on a Saturday and they were quite busy. This probably accounts for why one of the owners was a bit curt," shares Steven V.
Variable ground conditions: The region's soil can become saturated during rain events. "We could hear local cows and dogs but nothing so loud as to disrupt our sleep," notes Lea B. about the dispersed camping area at Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area, adding that "the ground was soft."
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad access: Water features provide cooling recreation during hot summer months. "Nice clean camp sites, sewer hookup available as well. Nice area with amazing views. The splash pad is a huge hit!" comments Kimberly V. about Poverty Point Reservoir State Park.
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There is a boat launch and hiking trails, along with the mounds. Definitely a beautiful spot to camp," describes Tyler H. about facilities at Poverty Point Reservoir State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Kids enjoy spotting local animals around campsites. "Raccoons are very curious and obviously human fed because they will walk right up to you. Best feature in the park is the Chemin-A-Haut Creek were 1000 year old Cypress trees are scattered throughout," notes Nicki M.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Several parks offer hookups on both sides of sites. "Originally, our site said it was set up for motorized RVs with the hookups set to drive into the site. However, when we arrived (with our 30 foot TT) we found hookups on BOTH sides of the site, making it that much easier for us to hook up," shares Shaun C.
Leveling needs: Bring blocks for sites that may need adjustment. "The site was rock and not quite level since we had to use leveling blocks to avoid having the back tires of our 39 foot motorhome lifted off the ground," advises Steven V.
Location benefits: Ouachita RV Park provides convenient interstate access. "Less than 5 minutes off I-20 in north east Louisiana. Being that close, I thought it would have been really loud, but it wasn't! I heard more birds than anything," explains Cat R.