Chicot State Park offers primary glamping accommodations near Forest Hill, Louisiana within a 6,400-acre property featuring a 2,000-acre lake. The park maintains two distinct camping areas—North Campground and South Campground—which provide varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Wildlife viewing extends beyond alligators to include numerous bird species, armadillos, and snakes. Seasonal considerations impact site selection with summer months requiring advance planning due to higher occupancy rates.
What to do
Hiking the Backbone Trail: Kisatchie National Forest features the Backbone Trail, a challenging 10-mile route with primitive camping options. According to Tyler B., "The backbone trail has to be the prettiest trail in the state of Louisiana. It's really the only place in the state to experience actual hills."
Mountain biking on forest trails: Trails throughout Chicot State Park accommodate riders of various skill levels. One visitor noted, "Great place to go. very natural and wooded. lots of sights to see. wonderful trails, lots of hiking. good place for bike rides. lots of wildlife."
Fishing from dedicated piers: The fishing opportunities extend beyond shore fishing to dedicated structures. At Colfax RV Park, "The park has a nice free day use boat launch as well as a floating dock with a fish cleaning station. The park is very clean and does not smell fishy."
Wildlife spotting: Regional campsites offer opportunities to observe native species. A camper at Chicot State Park reported, "Saw some big gators especially by the boat ramp," while another mentioned "Miles of beautiful hiking trails, but beware of snakes!"
What campers like
Spacious, well-maintained sites: Campsites in the region typically include standard amenities. At Lakeview Park, "The site was gravel and grass, pretty level. Our camper is 27 ft and it fit nicely, though larger ones would have problems. The site was full hookup for 30 amp only."
Modern bathroom facilities: Upgraded restrooms enhance the glamping experience. According to a North Campground visitor, "Campground has bath house with individual showers. 30 amp hookups."
Access to water recreation: Regional water features provide recreational options beyond fishing. A visitor to Kisatchie Bayou Complex noted, "This campground is just steps away from the bayou where you can launch a canoe or kayak depending on the water level. Fishing and swimming are great pastimes here."
Cultural activities: Local events add to the camping experience. At Lakeview Park, campers enjoy "Barn dances on a lot of weekends with live bands. Fun little place. Lots of perks during the summer."
What you should know
Wildlife precautions: Local wildlife requires awareness. A South Campground visitor cautioned, "Negatives are the wasps, ticks, and chiggers."
Site limitations: Campsite configurations vary across facilities. At South Campground — Chicot State Park, some campers note, "Camp sites are a little close, especially because we usually go to tent only sections."
Water restrictions: Some recreation areas limit swimming access. One visitor observed, "No swimming allowed here. There is some alligators in the water."
Weather considerations: Louisiana's climate affects camping comfort. For winter visitors to Kisatchie, temperatures can drop significantly: "It reached 23 degrees at night which was one of the coldest temperatures recorded in the state this year."
Reservation timing: Popular glamping destinations near Forest Hill fill quickly during peak seasons. Many visitors recommend booking weekday stays when "there were almost no other campers there so it helps to go in the middle of the week."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. Lakeview Park includes "a fishing pond, a swimming pond with inflatables, playground, store, and a dance/concert barn with live music."
Cultural activities: Family-oriented events occur throughout the year. One camper shared, "We've not been during the summer, but we loved our kids' Mardi Gras weekend here. Lots of cultural fun and activities for kids and family."
Water recreation options: Dedicated swimming areas accommodate different ages. At Kisatchie Bayou, "The Bayou Campground has a stream with a beach. Toilets are available by the parking lot, but no sinks. Bring extra toilet paper just in case they run out."
Splash pads for summer months: Heat relief options exist beyond natural water bodies. South Campground at Chicot State Park offers "fishing, canoeing and hiking trails are available as well as splash pad for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: RV site configurations require planning. At Lakeview Park, campers advise, "Be sure to bring extra sewer hose, the sewer is a far reach!"
Size considerations: Some campgrounds limit larger rigs. While some parks accommodate big rigs, others note that "Our camper is 27 ft and it fit nicely, though larger ones would have problems."
Dump station access: Full-service facilities vary by location. Colfax RV Park offers "large sites with full hookups" and maintains "a wash house with washer, dryer and showers (heated and cooled)."
Security features: Campground security measures enhance RV camping comfort. Many locations provide "a security gate for after hours access" and report "quite with friendly park rangers."
