Indian Creek Recreation Area Best Camping Spot
$21 primitive. Beautiful area. Great amenities. Beautiful scenery. Roads are okay…just be careful. If it rains, you may have trouble.
Tent campsites near Glenmora, Louisiana are primarily located within the Kisatchie National Forest, which offers several primitive tent camping areas with varying levels of amenities. Indian Creek Recreation Area in Alexander State Forest provides dedicated tent sites along its 2,500-acre lake, while the Kisatchie Bayou Campground features walk-in tent sites positioned alongside a clear-water bayou that resembles "a creek in Arkansas more than a Louisiana bayou," according to one review.
Most tent camping areas in the region feature basic amenities with rustic conditions. Primitive sites at Red Bluff Camp and Hunters Camp include vault toilets but no potable water, requiring campers to pack in their own supplies. Many tent sites have fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary by location. The Kisatchie National Forest enforces a 14-day stay limit at most sites. Tent campers should be aware of potential wildlife encounters, including wild hogs that have been spotted near some campsites. Access roads to several tent camping areas, particularly Coyote Camp and Red Bluff Camp, can be rough dirt roads that may become challenging after rain.
In the primitive tent camping areas, privacy and natural surroundings are key attractions. Stuart Lake Recreation Complex offers eight spacious tent sites with tent pads, fire rings, and lantern poles beneath shade-providing pine trees. A review mentioned that Kisatchie Bayou Campground has "plenty of tent spots to choose from. Whether you want to be close by other campers, or farther away, they have a spot for you." The campgrounds connect to extensive trail systems including the Caroline Dorman trail and the Sandstone trail system, providing excellent hiking opportunities directly from the tent sites. Tent camping areas within the forest remain relatively quiet even on weekends, offering a peaceful retreat with opportunities to observe wildlife including deer, bobcats, and various bird species.
"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"
from $16 / night
"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..."
"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."
"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."
"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. "
"My family has been camping here regularly for about a year, and we’ve experienced it in beautiful spring weather, the heat of summer, and even some surprisingly cold winter nights."
from $2 / night
"CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Located inside the Kisatchie National Forest, Kisatchie District, this campground is great. This section of National Forest is home to over 30 miles of nature trails."
"Primitive camping along the 10mi Backbone trail. Took out the hammock and camped out around the halfway mark along the trail. You can set up shop around an old fire pit or make one of your own."
"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."
from $5 - $20 / 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."
from $5 / night
"But nothing irks me more than reviews of various parks and campgrounds getting docked stars because nature is outside!"
$21 primitive. Beautiful area. Great amenities. Beautiful scenery. Roads are okay…just be careful. If it rains, you may have trouble.
This is our favorite place to go camping. Great, clean campground with lots of trees for shade. A good place for both summer and winter camping.
Bayou Campground is my happy place.
My family has been camping here regularly for about a year, and we’ve experienced it in beautiful spring weather, the heat of summer, and even some surprisingly cold winter nights. No matter the season, it is always breathtaking, peaceful, and secluded.
The campsites are spacious and vary in amenities. Some have concrete pads, picnic tables, and metal fire rings, while others are more primitive with only a fire ring. We usually tent camp and hammock camp, and we’ve always found plenty of room to spread out and enjoy nature.
One thing visitors should know is that you cannot drive directly to your campsite. There are separate parking areas for overnight campers and day visitors, and you’ll need to carry your gear to your site. Depending on where you park, your campsite may only be a short walk away.
The campground is generally very clean, aside from the occasional inconsiderate visitor who leaves trash behind. There are vault toilets available, but no running water, and there is absolutely no cell service—which, honestly, is one of the things I love most about it.
There is a paved pathway that leads to stairs down to the water. The swimming area is popular with families during the day, and the water is shallow enough that it feels safe for children. You’ll often see people swimming with their kids or bringing their dogs along to enjoy the water.
The campground is usually very quiet. Most of the noise comes during the day from swimmers, and occasionally from someone playing music or talking loudly at night. Otherwise, it’s an incredibly peaceful place to relax and disconnect.
Getting there requires driving several miles on unpaved roads, so watch for potholes and take your time. The journey is well worth it.
If you’re looking for luxury amenities, this may not be the campground for you. But if you’re looking for natural beauty, solitude, family-friendly swimming, spacious campsites, and a chance to truly unplug, Bayou Campground is a special place. We will continue coming back for years to come.
The natural setting at this campground is absolutely beautiful. For $35, you can get a full-hookup site right by the water, which is a really good value. There’s even a small beach, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. Overall, the campground is peaceful, scenic, and a great place to unwind. The only downside is the bathhouse. We visited two different ones, and while they weren’t dirty, they were definitely showing their age and felt a bit worn down. A renovation would make a big difference. Other than that, this was a truly beautiful campground, and we really enjoyed our stay.
Would like to have made it to the campgrounds, but a fallen tree a ½ mile before them thwarted my stay. Ended up in a clearing back up the road from said tree.
Beautiful location. Site 24 had small deck overlooking the lake. T-Mobile had 2 bars of service.
I stayed here in mid- September 2025. I was the only person in the campground, but a ranger drove by in the morning. I think I was there on a Wednesday night. The pit toilet was very dirty, but it was stocked with TP. I chose a site that was adjacent to the lake, but not low to the shore (a little above). In the morning, as I enjoyed coffee, I did see an alligator in the lake.
I was the only one there. Several spots to choose from. Clean bathroom. The scenic overlook spot does need its status revoked. Nothing to see there.
There are several different waivers for entrance fees, Disability and Age being the main ones. Ask at the gate and you could have your fees reduced. There are two different campgrounds located in different locations. The North & South campgrounds. The North is closed during the Fall & Winter, while the South is open year round. The site in the campground have water and electric. The Bath Houses have hot showers and were very clean. The South has a Splash pad, Boat launch, Cabins and a fishing Pier. While the North has Lodges, Boat launch, and fishing pier. There are 22 miles of hiking trails.
Tent camping near Glenmora, Louisiana primarily consists of primitive sites within the Kisatchie National Forest, which covers over 604,000 acres across central Louisiana. The region's typical subtropical climate features hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters where nighttime temperatures can dip into the 30s. Most sites sit amid longleaf pine forests with sandy, well-draining soil that makes for good tent placement even after rain.
Hiking and biking trails: Stuart Lake Recreation Complex offers direct access to multiple trail systems including the Stuart Nature Trail and Glenn Emery trail. "The trail from the campground to the swimming and fishing pond at the day use area" provides easy access to activities, as noted by Paula W., who adds that these "beautiful pine trees provide shade and a beauty like none other."
Water activities: Indian Creek Recreation Area features multiple water recreation options with "multiple sandy beach areas" for swimming. According to Michelle M., the "gorgeous lake, so quiet and peaceful" offers "great trails and fishing" for visitors looking to extend their outdoor activities beyond the campsite.
Wildlife viewing: Red Bluff Camp's remote location makes it ideal for spotting native wildlife. Christy P. mentions the site is "very remote and secluded, which we loved," making it perfect for nature observation. The surrounding forest hosts deer, various bird species, and occasional wild hogs.
Primitive camping solitude: Coyote Camp offers a true wilderness experience with minimal facilities. David S. reports, "This was particularly nice as I was the only person at the site when I visited," while Rod F. describes it as "a true jem. Quiet, isolated but yet easily accessible."
Water features: Valentine Lake South Shore provides waterfront camping with reasonable rates. Keith R. notes, "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... the canoeing is wonderful there."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Indian Creek Recreation Area caters well to families with young children. Sarah L. explains, "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."
Weather and wildlife awareness: Primitive sites like Coyote Camp require proper preparation for changing conditions. Daisee Mae S. warns, "We have seen a lot of snakes and it rains a lot. Some bees but not a serious nuisance. So just be aware when walking on the trails. Lots of deer and bobcats."
Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds involves unpaved roads that can become challenging in wet weather. Conrad V. notes about Hunters Camp that "Fort Polk is close enough for supplies, check your gate schedules," while Paula W. describes Red Bluff Camp as "about 5 miles off of the main road, down a red dirt road."
Campsite selection timing: For the best tent camping near Glenmora, Louisiana, timing matters. Rocky F. mentions about Coyote Camp, "We were the only people there, it was a Sunday and we were disperse tent camping," suggesting weekdays offer more solitude than weekends at popular sites.
Beach and playground access: Indian Creek Recreation Area offers multiple family-friendly features. Sarah L. notes that "from the multiple sandy beach areas to the playgrounds, there was lot for my elementary age children to do," making it ideal for young families.
Primitive camping with kids: For families wanting a more rustic experience, Jeff S. recommends Indian Creek's 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."
Supervision requirements: Be prepared to actively monitor children at busy campgrounds. Sarah L. cautions, "Because this campground is geared toward young families, there were a lot of kids running around unsupervised," suggesting families maintain close supervision of their children.
RV site selection: Coyote Camp accommodates some larger vehicles despite its remote location. Rod F. reports, "We found at least three sites that could accommodate our 26' class C," adding that the site offers "two to three bars of Verizon 4g, fast service."
Water and dump station access: Indian Creek offers partial hookups for RVs. Cat R. notes, "No sewer hookup, but has 2 dump stations. We were able to launch our kayaks from our RV site," making it convenient for RVers who also want water access.
Space considerations: For RVers seeking the best tent camping near Glenmora, Louisiana, site dimensions matter. Layla D. shares about Indian Creek: "We have a 21' travel trailer and barely fit it and our Toyota Tundra in site 52," suggesting careful site selection based on vehicle size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Glenmora, LA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Glenmora, LA is Indian Creek Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 27 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Glenmora, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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