Best Campgrounds near Forest Hill, LA

Camping opportunities around Forest Hill, Louisiana include a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed sites within the Kisatchie National Forest. The area features several developed facilities like Indian Creek Recreation Area, which offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with lakefront views. Loran Site Complex and Ahtus Melder Camp provide more rustic camping experiences within the national forest boundaries. Valentine Lake Northshore Campground, located near Boyce, offers primitive camping with toilet facilities and picnic tables. The region's campgrounds typically provide basic amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets, with some offering electric hookups and water access.

Access to camping areas varies seasonally, with Louisiana's humid subtropical climate influencing camping conditions throughout the year. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though summer brings high humidity and temperatures. "The area is very beautiful and the peace is amazing especially along side the bayou. Road in is in very good shape," noted one visitor about Kisatchie Bayou. Primitive camping is permitted along trails like the Wild Azalea Trail, but campsites must be at least 30 feet from the trail center line. Cell service varies throughout the region, with some campgrounds reporting good coverage while more remote areas have limited connectivity. Many campgrounds in the Kisatchie National Forest charge modest fees between $3-10 per night, with some sites operating on a first-come, first-served basis.

Campers frequently mention the natural beauty and tranquility of the area's waterways. The bayous and lakes provide scenic backdrops for camping, with opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Several visitors highlighted the contrast between the creek-like appearance of Kisatchie Bayou and typical Louisiana bayous. A review described Valentine Lake as "a 46 acre lake surrounded by pine and hard woods. Motorized boats are not allowed. The lake is serene as is the campground." Tent and RV sites at Indian Creek Recreation Area receive positive feedback for their spaciousness and lake views. Campers seeking more developed facilities can find them at Chicot State Park, located about an hour south, which offers full hookups, showers, and extensive recreational opportunities including hiking trails and fishing.

Best Camping Sites Near Forest Hill, Louisiana (82)

    1. Indian Creek Recreation Area

    25 Reviews
    Woodworth, LA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 487-5058

    $16 / night

    "It was a very quiet spot tucked away on the far side of the campground. It was right off the water and had a beautiful view of the sunrise and all the birds."

    "Beautiful views of the lake can be seen from almost all primitive sites. We were visited by raccoons one night, but they were easily & quickly scared away."

    2. Indian Creek Recreation Area Best Camping Spot

    8 Reviews
    Woodworth, LA
    6 miles

    $30 / night

    "We lucked into the primo spot on the lake point and super level. Highly recommend this park, but undestand that it fills up fast, especially on the weekend."

    "Trails, lake, boating, fishing, biking, great shade. Can get crowded on weekends and lots of golf cart traffic. Stores nearby and Alexandria not far. One of our favorites."

    3. South Campground — Chicot State Park

    25 Reviews
    Ville Platte, LA
    23 miles
    Website

    "One of my favorite places to go camping, trails bring you right through the swamps of South louisiana. Love walking elevated on the path right over the mush and cypress knees galore!"

    "It's a welcoming place to experience Louisiana outdoors."

    4. Loran Site Complex

    2 Reviews
    Forest Hill, LA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 793-9427

    "This site is PERFECT for hiking or biking the multiuse trails. Inside the Kisatchie National Forest, Evangeline District."

    5. Valentine Lake Northshore Campground

    9 Reviews
    Gardner, LA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 793-9427

    $10 / night

    "Well maintained grounds with flush toilet (no shower) drinking water tap near but not at the camp sites, fire ring and picnic tables at each site. Small (about 16 sites) and quiet."

    "Fee: $10.00 cash or check 

    Sites: 15   6 located right along the lake 

    No electric 

    FCFS 

    Camp host, pit toilet, trash, potable water, picnic table, lantern pole, fire ring Tent campers, small RV's"

    6. Ahtus Melder Camp

    2 Reviews
    Forest Hill, LA
    4 miles

    "FREE 

    FCFS 

    Clairborne Trail $5.00 access fee 

    This campground is free and will accommodate RV's, tents, and trailers. No facilities, totally primitive."

    7. Kisatchie National Forest Loran/Claiborne Trailhead Camp

    2 Reviews
    Forest Hill, LA
    4 miles

    "There are 4 multiuse trails that lead out of this area. There are vault toilets and trash recepticles but NO WATER! Huge parking area and also shaded grills and picnic tables."

    8. North Campground — Chicot State Park

    10 Reviews
    Turkey Creek, LA
    21 miles
    Website

    $33 / night

    "Here you can fish, kayak, swim, and dont forget to swing by the Arboretum. very scenic "Louisiana" park"

    "The staff was very friendly and they had a great hiking path and playground for our 5 year old."

    9. Pontchartrain Landing RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Turkey Creek, LA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 376-7850

    $58 - $115 / night

    "Pull-thru sites were gravel and fairly level yet pretty close to one another."

    "We chose this resort because we wanted a location we could easily Uber or shuttle to NOLA without having to worry about security/safety of ourselves and our RV."

    10. Evangeline Camp Complex

    2 Reviews
    Gardner, LA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 473-7160

    "Great trail. Very well marked and maintained. Some wet areas but not bad. Awesome primitive camping sites along trail."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 82 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Forest Hill, LA

217 Reviews of 82 Forest Hill Campgrounds


  • steve L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Saddle Bayou Camp Complex

    Nice little place,20ft rv travel trailer

    Nice toilet,his and hers. Only one spot for that .

  • Sarah L.
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Indian Creek Recreation Area

    A close to home family friendly campground

    I would like to start by saying this is a campground that is designed for young families, from the multiple sandy beach areas to the playgrounds, there was lot for my elementary age children to do. The bathhouses were cleaned every morning and I didn't see much trash lying around, other than our fire pit, but I assumed the previous tenants must have dumped some of their trash in the pit when leaving. Some of the issues I had are, because this campground is geared toward young families, there were a lot of kids running around unsupervised. There was a group of boys tearing the roof off the play house in one of the play grounds, another group jumping off the fishing pier while people were fishing, little kids driving golf carts around without adults on them (one time almost hitting a lady on a scooter), there were several dogs running around not on leashes, and even adult driving vehicles through the grassy play area rather than the roadway. The rules seem to no be enforced, including the no noise times of 10pm-7am. There were golf carts riding around with loud music until 1:30 am both nights. I never saw a single park attendant, other than the gate operator. We will likely try camping here again, but perhaps during the week while schools are in session to avoid the crowds.

  • I
    May. 7, 2025

    Bundick Lake Retreat and RV Park

    Sad

    The park definitely has potential, beautifully situated, green and shady. The description on the homepage no longer corresponds to reality. The pool is dirty, mini golf unusable, playground dangerous. Toilets are dirty. There is no staff to take care of them. Really sad

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 5, 2025

    Indian Creek Recreation Area Best Camping Spot

    Indian Creek Recreation Area

    Great campground. Trails, lake, boating, fishing, biking, great shade. Can get crowded on weekends and lots of golf cart traffic. Stores nearby and Alexandria not far. One of our favorites.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 5, 2025

    South Campground — Chicot State Park

    South landing

    Camped here frequently as a child. Now enjoying it as an adult. Large state park and always have a site available, even with short notice. Lots of things to do. Great park.

  • Taylor C.
    Apr. 3, 2025

    Valentine Lake Northshore Campground

    Perfect spot for a getaway

    Super quiet (minus gunshots during hunting season). First come first serve. Says it’s $10/night but we couldn’t find a drop box. Had lake front access and could walk to trails. Stayed here after finishing a backpacking trip down wild azalea trail. Bathrooms were meh but it was very quiet with hardly any people. Watch for the alligators if you’re near the water! They are not shy and I do not recommend feeding them unless you want them coming to visit you.

  • Michelle L.
    Jan. 31, 2025

    North Campground — Chicot State Park

    State Park camping family

    Our family has spent many years at many different state parks across the country, and this is by far one of my favorites!!

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 11, 2024

    Hunter's Camp

    Quiet spot in the Pine Trees

    Nice disbursed site. Map shows a camping loop that appears to have been abandoned by the Forest Service. It had a dead hog blocking the loop. This loop is about 150 yards from the vaulted toilet and garbage receptacle.

    There is another loop adjacent to the toilet and garbage that appears to have disbursed camping spots with places where fires were made.

    The camping area is open to the sky and has yellow pines that create random shade. Great place to charge with solar panels on a sunny day.

    The only other camper is a crazy dude on the old camping loop by the dead pig.


Guide to Forest Hill

Dispersed camping sites near Forest Hill, Louisiana offer outdoor experiences within Kisatchie National Forest. The region features scattered campsites with basic amenities across several recreation areas. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below 40°F. Camping in this area provides access to Louisiana's largest national forest with its distinct pine-dominated ecosystems.

What to do

Hiking trails access: Wild Azalea Trail in Kisatchie National Forest provides multiple primitive camping opportunities. "Great trail. Very well marked and maintained. Some wet areas but not bad. Awesome primitive camping sites along trail," notes a visitor to Evangeline Camp.

Kayaking on quiet waters: Valentine Lake restricts motorized boats, creating peaceful paddling conditions. A camper at Valentine Lake Northshore Campground shares, "Valentine Lake is a 46 acre lake surrounded by pine and hard woods. Motorized boats are not allowed. The lake is serene as is the campground."

Wildlife observation: The forest and waterways host diverse wildlife including alligators. "We found massive wasps nests and turtle shells on the forest floor, saw a gator while canoeing, and even saw an eagle! (My first one 😁)," reports one camper about Valentine Lake Northshore Campground.

What campers like

Spacious waterfront sites: Many campgrounds feature lakeside camping options. At Indian Creek Recreation Area Best Camping Spot, a visitor notes: "We lucked into the primo spot on the lake point and super level. Highly recommend this park, but understand that it fills up fast, especially on the weekend."

Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds provide good separation between campsites. A camper at Loran Site Complex shares: "Sites have decent buffer between them. Nestled amongst the pine trees, you really feel like you're in the forest."

Clean facilities: Maintenance standards receive positive mentions. A recent visitor to Valentine Lake Northshore noted, "Our spot was clean and previous campers were nice to leave firewood also. Groundskeeper came around a couple times to empty trash and clean bathrooms."

What you should know

Gate codes and access: Some campgrounds have security measures. A camper at Indian Creek Recreation Area advises: "We had to call the campground prior to our stay to get a gate code as they lock the gate at night, but that was simple enough and made us feel safe."

Wildlife precautions: Alligators and other wildlife require awareness. "Watch for the alligators if you're near the water! They are not shy and I do not recommend feeding them unless you want them coming to visit you," warns a camper at Valentine Lake Northshore.

Variable site conditions: Campsite quality varies even within the same recreation area. One camper noted about Indian Creek: "We have a 21' travel trailer and barely fit it and our Toyota Tundra in site 52. The lake was visible when standing inside the camper but not from our chairs by the fire."

Tips for camping with families

Activity options: Multiple recreation areas offer family-friendly amenities. "I would like to start by saying this is a campground that is designed for young families, from the multiple sandy beach areas to the playgrounds, there was lot for my elementary age children to do," reports a visitor to Indian Creek Recreation Area.

Quiet time enforcement: Noise rules vary by campground and time of year. A family camper at Indian Creek noted: "The rules seem to not be enforced, including the no noise times of 10pm-7am. There were golf carts riding around with loud music until 1:30 am both nights."

Beach areas for children: Some campgrounds feature swim areas with sandy beaches. "The beach areas seem really nice for camping during warmer weather," notes a visitor to South Campground — Chicot State Park, which also features "a splash pad for the kids."

Tips from RVers

Site selection considerations: RV campers should research specific sites before booking. "Site 56 had a HUGE backyard leading down to the lake. The view from our chairs by the fire and the picnic table were excellent. There were lots of trees to hang our hammock from, too," shares an RVer about Indian Creek.

Leveling requirements: Some sites require additional equipment for leveling. "Slightly unlevel, needed blocks on the right side," reports an RVer at Indian Creek Recreation Area Best Camping Spot about site 109.

Dump station access: Not all campgrounds with RV sites have full hookups. "No sewer hookup, but has 2 dump stations. We were able to launch our kayaks from our RV site," notes a visitor to Indian Creek Recreation Area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Forest Hill?

Camping costs in the Forest Hill area vary by location. The Kisatchie Bayou Complex charges approximately $2.00 for day use and $2.00 per vehicle, making it an affordable option. For free camping near Forest Hill, consider the Evangeline Camp Complex which offers no-cost sites. Primitive camping along trails is typically free or very low cost, while more developed sites in the broader region range from $10-25 per night depending on amenities and location.

What amenities are available at Forest Hill campground?

The Forest Hill area offers primitive camping options with basic amenities. At Loran Site Complex near Forest Hill, you'll find vault toilets but limited additional facilities. Many campsites in the region offer a more rustic experience, similar to the Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail which features primitive camping with parking access but no developed facilities. Expect to bring your own water and pack out trash at most Forest Hill area sites.

What are the reservation requirements for Forest Hill campground?

Most primitive camping sites near Forest Hill operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no formal reservation system. The Hidden Treasure RV Resort located nearby in Boyce does accept reservations for those seeking more amenities. For Forest Hill area camping within Kisatchie National Forest, it's advisable to check with the ranger district office for current availability and any permit requirements before your trip, as policies may change seasonally.