Best Campgrounds near Gorum, LA
The camping landscape around Gorum, Louisiana centers primarily on Kisatchie National Forest with several established campgrounds and dispersed options. Kisatchie Bayou Complex and Coyote Camp serve as popular destinations offering primitive tent camping and limited RV access. The region includes both free dispersed camping along Forest Road 380 and established campgrounds with basic amenities like vault toilets and picnic areas. Many sites feature access to natural water features, particularly along Kisatchie Bayou where clear water flows over sandstone formations, creating an experience that differs from typical Louisiana bayou environments.
Road conditions throughout the area can present challenges, especially after rain when forest service roads become rutted. Most campgrounds lack drinking water, showers, and electrical hookups, requiring visitors to bring supplies. The camping season extends year-round with temperatures typically warm, though winter nights can drop significantly. Cell service ranges from limited to non-existent in more remote areas, particularly along Forest Road 380. Several campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis with stay limits ranging from 14 to 30 days. A visitor remarked, "The road was ROUGH but the nature and secluded area was beautiful. The trails are the main attraction, miles of hiking, biking, off road vehicle, and horse trails."
Campers report Kisatchie Bayou as having some of the most scenic tent sites in the area, with the sound of flowing water creating a peaceful backdrop. The Caroline Dorman trail connects directly to several camping areas, providing immediate hiking access. Wildlife sightings are common, with reviews mentioning deer, bobcats, and evidence of wild hogs. Primitive camping areas tend to be spacious with natural privacy between sites, though several reviews note weekend crowding during summer months when swimming in the bayou becomes popular. While many campgrounds receive high ratings for seclusion and natural beauty, several reviews mention issues with overflowing trash receptacles during peak periods and scattered trash at some dispersed sites. A recent review described the bayou as looking "more like a creek in Arkansas than a Louisiana bayou" with "the hardwood and pine forest laying down a beautiful carpet under your feet."
