Top Free Dispersed Camping near Gorum, LA
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Best Dispersed Sites Near Gorum, LA (7)
1. Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
4 Reviews•14 Photos•9 SavesCamping is permitted adjacent to the trail, but campsites must be established at least 30 feet away from the trail center line. This is primitive camping - no amenities.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
2. Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
1 Review•5 Photos•23 Saveshttps://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/kisatchie/home/?cid=fseprd952794&width=full
Rules for Dispersed Camping: Groups of over 75 people who wish to use the forest, need to obtain a special use permit. Permits can be obtained at the nearest District Office. NOTE: Due to COVID-19, groups larger than 10 people are discouraged from congregating. There is privately owned land within the forest boundaries so be sure to not encroach on private land. You need to be self-contained. No amenities are provided, such as water, restrooms or trash cans. You may camp in a dispersed area for up to 30 days. After 30 days, you must move at least 5 road miles for camping in another dispersed area. Campers may not return to the same campsite within the calendar year. Please place your campsite at least 100 feet from any stream or other water source. Showers can be locally heavy and occasionally have been known to produce 5 to 10 inches of rain in a few hours. Such storms will cause flooding in the rivers and tributaries within the forest. These same streams will usually be dry in the late summer and early fall. Carry water or a water filtration device with you. Keep a Pack-In Pack-Out camp. Follow Leave No Trace guidelines. Contact the local Forest Service office to see if any restrictions, especially fire restrictions are in place.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services (such as trash removal) and little or no facilities (such as tables and fire pits,) are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets.
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Visitors are primarily responsible for their own safety. Keep in mind, trails and roads may be open for use, but please recreate responsibly and follow public health guidelines regarding social distancing while you recreate in National Forests. Law enforcement and search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19 issues.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Drinking Water
- Alcohol
3. Evangeline Camp Complex
2 Reviews•1 Photo•39 SavesThe Evangeline Camp is located 4 miles south of Louisiana Highway 28 on Forest Road 273 (Messina Road). This road is paved until about 1/2 mile from the camp where it turns into gravel. The best camping flats are just down the hill past the vaulted restroom. There is no water at this site.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
4. Highway 472 Camp
3 Reviews•13 Photos•28 Saves- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Trash
5. Forest Road 380 Dispersed
Be the first to review!•2 SavesMany people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services (such as trash removal) and little or no facilities (such as tables and fire pits,) are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets.
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Visitors are primarily responsible for their own safety. Keep in mind, trails and roads may be open for use, but please recreate responsibly and follow public health guidelines regarding social distancing while you recreate in National Forests. Law enforcement and search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19 issues. High risk activities such as rock climbing or motorized activities that increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided.
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Drinking Water
- Alcohol
6. Hunter's Camp
Be the first to review!•1 SaveThese primitive campsites have a vault toilet and trash receptacle
Recent Dispersed Reviews In Gorum
10 Reviews of 7 Gorum Campgrounds
Twan M.
Ranger
Highway 472 Camp
Great Overnight
Great little option as an overnight spot. Not much to it, just a few obvious clearings along the small gravel/mud loop on either side of the road, a few more if you’re imaginative. Vault toilets, too. 2 bars Verizon service, enough to send/recieve & use internet/gps. Close to the road but nicely wooded.
Chantelle M.
Scout
Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
Spent a ton of time out at Valentine lake.
This a a cool place to spend a weekend. There is both primitive and fixed campsites.you have a couple Small trails in and around Valentine lake, or you caan hop on wild azeala trail and hike it. Its just short of 18 miles start to finish. Wouldn't recommend swimming in that lake. Lots of Gators and big snapping turtles. . Great fishing tho.. for me i enjoy middle to late October when it's cooler for sleeping in teepee hot tent..
- vvictoria
TravelerHighway 472 Camp
Quick stop to rest
So we went on the right side of the split camp coming in from the NW. The bathrooms haven’t been maintenanced or cleaned up in the actually area. We just set up our outdoor toilet because there wasn’t a soul here. But this is nice for a quick sleep , we are driving to FL from Colorado to bring our cross country trip to an end so we needed some sleep around 1am.
Daisee Mae S.
Legend
Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
Secluded 100% Primitive
Let me start of by saying there is ZERO cell service. We might have been able to set our phones down and it get ONE Bar, but as soon as you pick it up it’s gone.
The road is fine. A little hard to get through if it’s wet. The spots to stay in have very rutted roads. Pretty easy to take just about anything down it.
There are about 5 camp areas. a few of them are group sites. Very large and spacious.
The stay here is 30 days. No bathroom. No trash pick up. No water hook ups.
There is however, a natural spring that is piped just as you enter FR380. Locals come here to fill water. It’s very fresh and refreshing.
It normally is warm all year round here. But we d coded to camp in every state so far when an artic blast is moving through. So, normally in december it’s not 12 degrees for a high ANYWHERE in this state.
It rained about 16-17 days of our stay, but we did find some amazing things. My first time finding and eating Lions Maine Mushrooms.
Lots of trash behind some of the sites. Can definitely tell it’s a party spot. Or at least it used to be.
All in all, this place is so secluded that no one drives out here and it’s 100% peaceful. I will definitely return to this spot.
Sean S.
GuideValentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
Great primitive camping!
I hiked about 7.5 miles in from the Valentine Lake trailhead to a large clearing by the bridge with a nice cool stream. There are other clearings nearby which would be great for a small group camp. The trail itself is great and pretty well maintained. Be prepared for plenty of ups and downs and some rough terrain. There are adequate running streams to get water for filtering. From camp I went another 1.5 miles to the Evangeline primitive area parking lot (where there is a pit toilet), some beautiful views along that stretch. I would definitely do it again, but with a lighter pack and not in 90 degree weather!
- SScott B.Traveler
Evangeline Camp Complex
Indian creek
Very clean and and kept up very well nicely shaded
- SScott B.Traveler
Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
Valintine lake
Its a really nice place to camp. Very small but well kept up
- NN I.Legend
Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
Wild
Open all year
Primitive
The Wild Azalea Trail is south west of Alexandria, Louisiana on the edge of the Valentine Lake Recreation Area. There is a trail head with parking on the grass, nicely mowed but if it has rained it could be muddy. Primitive camping is permitted adjacent to the trail but campsites must be at least 30 feet from the trail center line.
Pack it in, Pack it out
LNT
BTYFI
NO FIRES
Travel safe
- KKassy Z.Scout
Evangeline Camp Complex
Great
Great trail. Very well marked and maintained. Some wet areas but not bad. Awesome primitive camping sites along trail.
Paula W.LegendHighway 472 Camp
Split down the middle
This campground is aptly named because it is split in half by a major hwy. Yes, hwy 472. There are vault toilets on both sides. It is dispersed free camping in the Kisatchie National Forest, Catahoula district, Catahoula national wildlife management preserve. The grounds are overgrown in places but there are a few cleared out spots with obvious old campfires. There were even places that looked like you could back in an RV. We will be back to this spot during the fall to see the leaves change colors. It feels secluded even if it is on the hwy.
This campground is a designated Hunter camp so if you plan to stay here call the rangers or know your seasons (deer, turkey, etc.).
According to the fs.usda.gov website, "The Highway 472 Camp is a designated Hunter Camp inside the Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve. The Hwy 472 Camp allows primitive camping in a predominantly pine setting."
Guide to Gorum
Camping near Gorum, Louisiana, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor fun. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are several campgrounds to check out.
What to do
- Fishing and Boating: The Indian Creek Recreation Area has a lovely lake perfect for kayaking and fishing. One camper mentioned, “There is a beautiful lake for kayaking, boating, and fishing.”
- Hiking: Explore the trails at the Kisatchie Bayou Complex. A reviewer said, “This section of National Forest is home to over 30 miles of nature trails.”
- Wildlife Watching: Campers at the Coyote Camp have spotted deer and bobcats. One visitor noted, “Lots of deer and bobcats. Absolutely no highway noise.”
What campers like
- Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A review for the Valentine Lake Northshore Campground stated, “Our spot was clean and previous campers were nice to leave firewood also.”
- Quiet Atmosphere: Campers often mention the peacefulness of the sites. A visitor at the Kisatchie Bayou Complex said, “It is very secluded and the sound of the bayou is serene.”
- Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer large, well-spaced sites. One camper at the Indian Creek Recreation Area remarked, “Large wide spots with paved cement made it easy to park and level.”
What you should know
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like the Valentine Lake Northshore Campground, do not have electric hookups or showers. A reviewer pointed out, “No electric, no showers, but it’s peaceful and quiet.”
- Primitive Camping: If you’re looking for a more rustic experience, the Kisatchie Bayou Campground offers primitive sites. One camper mentioned, “These are clearly defined, walk-in, first come, first serve campsites.”
- Wildlife Caution: Be aware of wildlife, especially at the Coyote Camp. A visitor warned, “We have seen a lot of snakes and it rains a lot.”
Tips for camping with families
- Playground Access: The Grand Ecore RV Park has a big playground, making it a great spot for families. A reviewer said, “We especially liked the big playground and the floating dock.”
- Quiet Spots: Look for quieter areas if you have young kids. A camper at the Indian Creek Recreation Area noted, “It was very quiet spot tucked away on the far side of the campground.”
- Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you need. A visitor at the Cotile Recreation Area mentioned, “The bathrooms were damaged during the last big storm.”
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at the Coyote Camp said, “We found at least three sites that could accommodate our 26' class C.”
- Road Conditions: Be prepared for some dirt roads. A reviewer noted, “Our GPS put us on a dirt road for a few miles - however it was well maintained and not too rutted.”
- Stay Connected: Some campgrounds have good cell service. A camper at the Indian Creek Recreation Area mentioned, “Fantastic Verizon cell service, 3 bars with about 100-125 mbps.”
Camping near Gorum, Louisiana, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to check the amenities and plan accordingly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gorum, LA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gorum, LA is Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Gorum, LA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Gorum, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.