Best Tent Camping near Gardner, LA

Tent camping options surrounding Gardner, Louisiana include several established forest campgrounds within Kisatchie National Forest and Alexander State Forest. Indian Creek Recreation Area provides tent campsites along a 2,500-acre lake in Alexander State Forest with both developed and primitive tent camping areas. Valentine Lake South Shore offers waterfront tent sites for those seeking a more secluded experience, while Kisatchie Bayou Campground provides tent-only sites in a natural forest setting.

The primitive camping areas at Indian Creek have basic facilities but no improvements such as fire rings, tables, or tent platforms at individual sites. Potable water spigots are available near pit toilets, but not at each campsite. Most tent sites in the region permit fires, though seasonal restrictions may apply. Bathrooms vary from clean pit toilets to more developed facilities depending on the campground. According to one visitor, "The cleanliness of the primitive camp sites is unsurpassed. Beautiful views of the lake can be seen from almost all primitive sites." Campers should be aware of wildlife including raccoons in the area, particularly at Indian Creek.

Tent campers at Valentine Lake South Shore can access waterfront sites for $10 per night with community water faucets available in several areas. A recent review noted, "The canoeing is wonderful there... Very peaceful and quiet during the week but gets a little noisy on the weekends and holidays." Many primitive tent sites offer separation from neighboring campers, providing privacy not typically found at developed RV areas. Indian Creek's primitive section allows campers to set up tents near the lakeshore with views of the water and fishing access. Most backcountry tent camping areas in Kisatchie National Forest remain quieter during weekdays, with weekend usage increasing significantly during spring and fall. Sites typically permit a 14-day maximum stay, and some areas require permits or fees while others offer free tent camping.

Best Tent Sites Near Gardner, Louisiana (14)

    1. Indian Creek Recreation Area

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

    $16 / night

    "This is where we go car camping in their primitive section. There are many, many car camping campsites on the lake/reservoir!"

    "Dates: Mar 1- Oct 31(after contact campground) Fees: $24.00-$56.00 $16.00 Primitive $100.00 Pavilion $30.00 

    Boat rental(kayak and canoe) $7.00 Day use fee 

    RESERVATIONS ONLY 

    Sites: 104 water and"

    2. Valentine Lake South Shore

    1 Review
    Gardner, LA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 793-9427

    "There is no power or water a sites but has community water faucets in a few areas... The bathouse is real nice... But the canoeing is wonderful there..."

    3. Stuart Lake Recreation Complex, Camping/Day Use

    1 Review
    Bentley, LA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 765-3554

    $5 - $20 / night

    "This little campground has 8 spacious sites with picnic table, tent pad, fire ring, and lantern pole. Beautiful pine trees provide shade and a beauty like none other."

    4. Kisatchie Bayou NF Campground - Temporarily Closed

    7 Reviews
    Gorum, LA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 473-7160

    $2 / night

    "Fee: $2.00 day use $2.00 per vehicle  17 primitive walk in tent sites with the sites running along side the beautiful Kisatchie Bayou. There is one drive in that is located in the parking lot. "

    "It’s located on the Caroline Dorman trail. When the water levels are high there are beautiful waterfalls. It’s remote and requires travel down gravel roads to access it."

    5. Coyote Camp

    8 Reviews
    Cloutierville, LA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 472-1840

    "Large camping spot with fire ring. Clean area. Definitely a gem in the trees."

    "So just be aware when walking on the trails. Lots of deer and bobcats. Absolutely no highway noise and the bathrooms are always stocked and cleaned.

    No water or trash pickup."

    6. Stuart Complex

    2 Reviews
    Bentley, LA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 793-9427

    $5 / night

    "see Stuart Lake Recreation area and campground Perfect campground. This little campground has 8 spacious sites with picnic table, tent pad, fire ring, and lantern pole."

    "Campground and bathrooms clean, quiet except the background highway noise. Lake was pretty, and small, able to walk all the way around the lake in about 20 minutes."

    8. Hunters Camp - Calcasieu Ranger District

    3 Reviews
    Fort Polk, LA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 473-7160

    "The Hunter Camp is situated just off range road. You're surrounded by wilderness. The only amenities are a vault toilet. Fort Polk is close enough for supplies, check your gate schedules."

    9. Red Bluff Camp

    3 Reviews
    Provencal, LA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 472-1840

    "But nothing irks me more than reviews of various parks and campgrounds getting docked stars because nature is outside!"

    10. Saddle Bayou Camp Complex

    3 Reviews
    Bentley, LA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 793-9427
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 14 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Gardner, LA

184 Reviews of 14 Gardner Campgrounds


  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 22, 2021

    Kisatchie Bayou NF Campground - Temporarily Closed

    Beauty on the Bayou

    Fee: $2.00 day use $2.00 per vehicle 

    17 primitive walk in tent sites with the sites running along side the beautiful Kisatchie Bayou. There is one drive in that is located in the parking lot.  The bayou looks more like a creek in Arkansas than a Louisiana bayou. Don't think you will find a gator in that bayou. The hardwood and pine forest has lain down a beautiful carpet under your feet with very little noise when you walk. NO WATER. Nice parking area and great hiking. There are a lot of picnic tables and grills close to the parking lots for day use. Pit toilet, grill, picnic table, fire ring, lantern pole.  The area is very beautiful and the peace is amazing especially along side the bayou.  Road in is in very good shape.

    LNT

    BTYFI

    Travel safe

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2021

    Valentine Lake Northshore Campground

    Peace & Beauty

    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 or trailer. Hard pavement pads but they are narrow and crumbling on the edges. Site is well maintained. Beautiful water sites. 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. 

    LNT

    AIS 

    BTYFI 

    Travel safe

  • Jeff S.
    Feb. 18, 2020

    Indian Creek Recreation Area

    Beautiful, Peaceful

    This is where we go car camping in their primitive section. There are many, many car camping campsites on the lake/reservoir! There are a few pit toilets that are clean and there is a potable water spigot at each of the pit toilet locations. The campsites are basic tenting areas with no improvements such as fire rings, tables, trash barrels, tent platforms, etc. There is some privacy and separation between campsites! This is where we go when limited time is available. We bring everything we need with us. There is limited supplies in the village of woodworth, La.

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2018

    Loran Site Complex

    Trailheads and nature

    This site is PERFECT for hiking or biking the multiuse trails. Inside the Kisatchie National Forest, Evangeline District. Well defined, marked sites with firepit, picnic table, lantern ring, but NO WATER. there are vault toilets available, but NO WATER. Also, be sure to check out Camp Claiborne while here. The sites are well shaded, even, spacious, and far enough away from your neighbors that you have the sense of privacy.

  • Chris & Rosanne C.
    Aug. 4, 2020

    Gum Springs Recreation Area — Kisatchie National Forest

    Hidden Gem

    We absolutely loved this campground! It was quiet and felt very secluded. There is a nice hiking trail around the forest. Lots of cool construction around the area from the 1930’s. Stairs that come from all areas leading down to the little lake by the campground. Several little gazebos are around the lake, too.

    There is a vault toilet and one spot for potable water, which is located at one of the campsites by the toilets. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and a lantern pole.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2021

    Indian Creek Recreation Area

    Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

    Dates: Mar 1- Oct 31(after contact campground)

     Fees: $24.00-$56.00 $16.00 Primitive $100.00 Pavilion $30.00 

    Boat rental(kayak and canoe) $7.00 Day use fee 

    RESERVATIONS ONLY 

    Sites: 104 water and electric 

    WIFFI: FREE 

    Limit: 14 days 

    Three swim beaches, ice machine on property, primitive camping area is set apart from RV area, no generators allowed from 10 pm to 7 am Indian Creek is a 2500 acre lake, 100 acres is developed campground with 200 acres for the primitive camping. There is a playground, laundry, showers, fish cleaning station, picnic tables, fire ring, concrete pads. There are beautiful mature trees and well maintained lawns. In the park you will notice two white painted bands around some trees. That shows which trees are home to the red-cockaded woodpecker LNT 

    AIS 

    Travel safe

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Stuart Lake Recreation Complex, Camping/Day Use

    Fishing, swimming, trails and shade

    Perfect campground. This little campground has 8 spacious sites with picnic table, tent pad, fire ring, and lantern pole. Beautiful pine trees provide shade and a beauty like none other. There is a trail from the campground to the swimming and fishing pond at the day use area and beyond. Perfect summer weekend retreat. Beautiful forest, clean campground and quiet.

    Within the Stuart Lake Recreation Complex there are lots of activities including fishing, swimming, hiking, and picnicking. Located on a 5-acre lake in a pine forest. There is camping, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, bicycling, and nature study. The day use facility includes flush toilets, a fishing pier, shore fishing, a swimming beach, picnic tables and barbeque pits. The group use facility is located up the hill from the day use area and the swimming beach. It has a covered picnic shelter, a large party barbeque pit, trash bins, restrooms, and access to day use facilities including the lake. Group use area facilities include: restrooms, gravel parking, extra large barbeque pit, trash bins, large covered picnic shelter, and access to the day use facilities and lake. The Stuart Nature Trail and the Glenn Emery hiking and biking trail both be accessed here.

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Stuart Complex

    Fishing, hiking, swimming and shade

    see Stuart Lake Recreation area and campground

    Perfect campground. This little campground has 8 spacious sites with picnic table, tent pad, fire ring, and lantern pole. Beautiful pine trees provide shade and a beauty like none other. There is a trail from the campground to the swimming and fishing pond at the day use area and beyond. Perfect summer weekend retreat. Beautiful forest, clean campground and quiet.

    Within the Stuart Lake Recreation Complex there are lots of activities including fishing, swimming, hiking, and picnicking. Located on a 5-acre lake in a pine forest. There is camping, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, bicycling, and nature study. The day use facility includes flush toilets, a fishing pier, shore fishing, a swimming beach, picnic tables and barbeque pits. The group use facility is located up the hill from the day use area and the swimming beach. It has a covered picnic shelter, a large party barbeque pit, trash bins, restrooms, and access to day use facilities including the lake. Group use area facilities include: restrooms, gravel parking, extra large barbeque pit, trash bins, large covered picnic shelter, and access to the day use facilities and lake. The Stuart Nature Trail and the Glenn Emery hiking and biking trail both be accessed here.

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2018

    Kisatchie National Forest Loran/Claiborne Trailhead Camp

    Biking, hiking, horsing

    **see Loran Complex campground **

    This day use site is connected to the campground. There is no camping at the day use area. 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.


Guide to Gardner

Tent camping near Gardner, Louisiana offers accessible wilderness experiences within the Kisatchie National Forest region. Campers can enjoy primitive sites with minimal facilities and direct access to trails and water features. Average summer temperatures reach 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights frequently drop below 40°F, creating distinct seasonal camping experiences.

What to do

Hiking accessible trails: At Stuart Lake Recreation Complex, campers can explore multiple connected paths. "There is a trail from the campground to the swimming and fishing pond at the day use area and beyond. Perfect summer weekend retreat," notes Paula W. The Glenn Emery hiking and biking trail connects with the Stuart Nature Trail for extended exploration options.

Swimming in natural settings: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas for cooling off during hot months. "The beach areas seem really nice for camping during warmer weather," reports Layla D. about Indian Creek Recreation Area. Natural swimming spots provide alternatives to developed pools, with some areas featuring small sandy beaches.

Paddling calm waters: Canoes and kayaks work well on the smaller lakes throughout the region. "We were able to launch our kayaks from our RV site," explains Cat R. about Indian Creek. At Stuart Complex, the 5-acre lake allows canoes with easy access from campsites to water.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many primitive camping areas offer separation from other campers. "There is some privacy and separation between campsites," shares Jeff S. about the primitive section at Indian Creek. At Kisatchie Bayou NF Campground, "you want to be close by other campers, or farther away, they have a spot for you," according to Kayli M.

Waterfront camping opportunities: Direct lakefront access appeals to many tent campers. At Valentine Lake South Shore, "Great water front sites at $10 a night is not bad!!! There is no power or water at sites but has community water faucets in a few areas," reports Keith R. This pricing remains lower than many developed campgrounds.

Natural soundscape: The background noise of running water enhances many camping experiences. At Kisatchie Bayou, Alex F. notes, "Camp next to this beautiful sounding creek, there is a beach to lay out on while the kids play in the water." These water features mask other sounds and create a relaxing atmosphere.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most primitive sites require self-sufficiency. "The campsites are basic tenting areas with no improvements such as fire rings, tables, trash barrels, tent platforms, etc.," explains Jeff S. about Indian Creek. Come prepared with your own camping equipment.

Wildlife awareness: Various animals frequent camping areas, requiring proper food storage. "We were visited by raccoons one night, but they were easily & quickly scared away," reports Kayla H. At Coyote Camp, Daisee Mae S. observed, "Lots of deer and bobcats. Absolutely no highway noise."

Road conditions: Access to some sites requires navigating unpaved roads. "The road in is in very good shape," notes N.I. about Kisatchie Bayou, while Melissa S. reports about Coyote Camp, "Our GPS put us on a dirt road for a few miles - however it was well maintained and not too rutted."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Indian Creek specifically caters to families with children. "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," shares Sarah L.

Designated swimming areas: Multiple locations have developed beach areas for safer swimming. At Stuart Complex, Paula W. notes the "small beach for playing" among the family-friendly features. These areas typically have gradual entries into water.

Quieter weekday visits: For families seeking peaceful experiences, timing matters. "So very peaceful & quiet during the week but gets a little noisy on the weekends & holidays," observes Keith R. about Valentine Lake South Shore. Many campgrounds report similar patterns with busier weekends.

Tips from RVers

Site size considerations: Limited level spots restrict larger RVs at many campgrounds. "We have a 21' travel trailer and barely fit it and our Toyota Tundra in site 52," reports Layla D. about Indian Creek. Some sites have steeper approaches requiring careful navigation.

Limited hookups: Most campgrounds offer only partial or no hookups. "No sewer hookup, but has 2 dump stations," explains Cat R. about Indian Creek. At Red Bluff Camp, campers find no water or electric hookups, requiring self-contained camping.

Cellular connectivity: Service varies by location and carrier. "Two to three bars of Verizon 4g, fast service," reports Rod F. about Coyote Camp, while other more remote sites like Kisatchie Bayou may have no service, as Cheri H. notes, "I didn't have a cell signal there with AT&T and didn't have one for some time prior to arrival."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gardner, LA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gardner, LA is Indian Creek Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 25 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Gardner, LA?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Gardner, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.