RV campgrounds around Fort Polk, Louisiana primarily serve military personnel stationed at the base, with most parks located within a 30-minute drive. The area sits in west-central Louisiana near the Texas border, characterized by pine forests and proximity to Toledo Bend Reservoir, the fifth-largest man-made lake in the United States. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winters remain relatively mild.
What to do
Fishing access at Toledo Bend: The Toledo Bend Recreation Site - MILITARY offers direct lake access exclusively for military personnel. "Fishing is also very available, as well as playground, boat launch, boat rentals and R.V. accommodations as well," notes camper Conrad V.
Casino entertainment: Red Shoes RV Park & Chalets provides camping with casino access. "Then you have the Coushatta casino and all its amenities, so no need to travel far for fun and food for adults and kids," writes David M., who appreciates the convenience for entertainment.
Water recreation: The Fin & Feather Resort on Toledo Bend Lake offers multiple water activities. Brandon A. notes, "The resort has cabins and rooms for rent, a marina with boat launches, a nice little store, and a great restaurant with good eats."
What campers like
Level concrete pads: Natchitoches Pecan Orchard RV Park receives positive feedback for site quality. Lea B. states, "We stayed 3 nights and it was a peaceful visit. There were plenty of sites to choose from, all on clean concrete pads."
Pool facilities: Several parks offer swimming options during hot Louisiana summers. At Red Shoes RV Park, David M. mentions, "Pool area within camp grounds area. The casino side has a lazy river and a swim up bar for adults, also slides."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers value peaceful surroundings away from training activities at Fort Polk. Caroline D. says of Natchitoches Pecan Orchard, "This RV Park is neat and clean. Each row of sites is named after a variety of Pecans. There is a pool and a pond. We enjoyed our stay."
What you should know
Long-term residents: Most RV parks near Fort Polk house military personnel living there semi-permanently. At Shady Lake RV Park, Granny C. observed, "Some RV's had dug in their sewer hoses for a more permanent living arrangement... I have since found out that this happens around Military Bases frequently."
Limited availability during rotations: RV parks fill quickly during training rotations at Fort Polk, requiring advance reservations.
Laundry facility issues: Some parks have inadequate laundry facilities for their size. Douglas T. found at Red Shoes: "The laundry is very small considering the size of the park... They have 4 dryers only 2 working, 4 washers only 3 working. I had to wait... Never spent 3 hours doing laundry before."
Tips for camping with families
Military yurt options: Hidden Treasure RV Resort offers family-friendly alternatives to standard RV camping. Ty A. notes, "This campground is located on the Cotile lake in Boyce, Louisiana. And it's only about 8 or 10 minutes from I-49, but well worth the time."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cat R. shares that Hidden Treasure features "Slightly hilly with beautiful mature trees, some which have several bird feeders attached! Wildlife galore."
Dog-friendly facilities: Casey L. mentions, "Our kids loved our long horn neighbors! Many residents here but not at all overwhelming and everyone was very nice."
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Lawrence Robert T. appreciates the practical layout at Red Shoes: "At $19 a night plus tax, this place rocked. Concrete pads and pull-thrus throughout."
Site leveling needs: Not all parks have perfectly level sites. Cheryl G. comments about Hidden Treasure RV Resort, "Not all sites are level, but that may change with their improvements."
Road noise considerations: When selecting a campground near Fort Polk, consider proximity to highways. Lori H. found that at Pecan Acres RV Park, "The RV park is right off the road, and is a better choice than several of the rv parks in the area. The sites all look fairly level, and the property was well maintained."
