Best Tent Camping near Florien, LA
Kisatchie National Forest surrounds Florien, Louisiana with several primitive tent camping options that offer seclusion and natural beauty. Coyote Camp, located in the Kisatchie District, provides free tent-only camping with basic amenities and direct access to the Sandstone Trail system. Red Bluff Camp, about 5 miles down a red dirt road, offers walk-in tent sites approximately a quarter-mile from the parking area. Kisatchie Bayou Campground (temporarily closed) features 17 primitive walk-in tent sites along the bayou with one drive-in site located in the parking lot. Hunters Camp in the Calcasieu Ranger District provides dispersed tent camping with two loops of sites.
Most tent campgrounds in the Kisatchie National Forest feature minimal amenities, requiring campers to bring their own water and supplies. Vault toilets are typically available, but shower facilities are absent. Sites at Coyote Camp include fire rings but limited other infrastructure. Red Bluff Camp has vault toilets near the parking area, but they are quite a walk from the bayou camping areas. A 14-day stay limit applies to most forest service campgrounds. Access roads to these primitive tent sites often involve dirt or gravel surfaces that may become challenging during wet weather. Campers should prepare for insects, particularly during warmer months, with mosquitoes, horseflies, and yellow flies common in these wooded areas.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Florien offers exceptional solitude and natural surroundings. According to reviews, Kisatchie Bayou's clear water creates "a relaxing waterfall sound" with campsites "spread out nicely" along the water. One visitor noted that at Coyote Camp, "we were the only people there" on a Sunday night, with the "wooden area very shady." Wildlife sightings are common, with deer, bobcats, and various bird species frequently observed. The Caroline Dorman Trail runs directly off several campsites, providing excellent hiking opportunities. Winter camping offers fewer insects but still maintains relatively warm temperatures, with campers reporting mid-80s even during winter months. Weekdays typically provide the quietest primitive tent camping experience, with some sites seeing increased traffic on weekends.