Best Dispersed Camping near Gorum, LA

Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Gorum? We've got you covered. The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Gorum, LA (7)

    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest

    1. Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest

    2 Reviews
    17 Photos
    25 Saves
    Gorum, Louisiana

    https://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
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

    2. Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

    4 Reviews
    14 Photos
    9 Saves
    Gardner, Louisiana

    Camping 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
    • Dispersed
    • Trash
    Camper-submitted photo from Evangeline Camp Complex

    3. Evangeline Camp Complex

    2 Reviews
    1 Photo
    44 Saves
    Gardner, Louisiana

    The 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
    Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
    Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
    Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
    Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
    Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
    Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
    • No image available

      5. Hunter's Camp

      1 Review
      1 Save
      Fort Polk, Louisiana

      These primitive campsites have a vault toilet and trash receptacle

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • RVs
      • Tents
      • Dispersed
      • No image available

        6. Forest Road 380 Dispersed

        Be the first to review!
        2 Saves
        Gorum, Louisiana

        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. 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
        • No image available
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        Showing results 1-7 of 7 campgrounds

        Recent Dispersed Reviews in Gorum

        12 Reviews of 7 Gorum Campgrounds


        • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Hunter's Camp
          Dec. 11, 2024

          Hunter's Camp

          Quiet spot in the Pine Trees

          Nice disbursed site. Map shows a camping loop that appears to have been abandoned by the Forest Service. It had a dead hog blocking the loop. This loop is about 150 yards from the vaulted toilet and garbage receptacle.

          There is another loop adjacent to the toilet and garbage that appears to have disbursed camping spots with places where fires were made.

          The camping area is open to the sky and has yellow pines that create random shade. Great place to charge with solar panels on a sunny day.

          The only other camper is a crazy dude on the old camping loop by the dead pig.

        • P
          Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
          Nov. 27, 2024

          Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest

          Very peaceful

          The drive there was beautiful. Getting to the camp site was pretty straightforward through google Maps. You can pull ur vehicle right up your camp site. If you're into foraging, this is definitely not the place in the winter months. There is plenty of broken trees to use for fire wood. The forest is great to explore. There is a natural spring that runs on side of the road about a half mile from the campsite. It has been piped in for easy access. The temp drops quickly during the winter months so be prepared. You do not need any kind of permit to camp here.

        • Twan M.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
          Apr. 13, 2024

          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.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
          Oct. 9, 2023

          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..

        • vThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
          Apr. 22, 2023

          Highway 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.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
          Dec. 20, 2022

          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.
          Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
          May. 15, 2022

          Valentine 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!

        • NThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
          Nov. 19, 2021

          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

        • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Highway 472 Camp
          Jul. 1, 2018

          Highway 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."


        Drive Time


        Guide to Gorum

        Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Gorum, Louisiana, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. With options ranging from primitive sites to well-maintained trails, there's something for everyone looking to escape into the wild.

        Tips for free and dispersed camping near Gorum, Louisiana

        • Make sure to pack out what you pack in, as many areas, like Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail, emphasize Leave No Trace principles to preserve the natural beauty.
        • Be prepared for varying terrain; the trails around Evangeline Camp Complex offer both well-maintained paths and more rugged sections that can challenge even seasoned hikers.
        • Always check for local regulations regarding fires and waste disposal, especially in areas like Forest Road 380 Kisatchie National Forest, where amenities are limited.

        Wild Azalea Trail: A Must for Dispersed Campers

        • The Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail features nearly 18 miles of scenic hiking, perfect for those looking to explore the great outdoors.
        • Campers can find primitive sites along the trail, allowing for a true back-to-nature experience while enjoying the tranquility of the surrounding wilderness.
        • Keep an eye out for local wildlife, but be cautious of swimming in the lake due to the presence of alligators and snapping turtles.

        Secluded Spots for Peaceful Retreats

        • For those seeking solitude, Forest Road 380 Kisatchie National Forest offers a secluded environment with minimal cell service, making it ideal for disconnecting from the hustle and bustle.
        • The area is known for its spacious campsites, which can accommodate larger groups, making it a great choice for family gatherings or friends' getaways.
        • Be prepared for a completely primitive experience, as there are no facilities like bathrooms or trash pickup, so 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 Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest with a 4-star rating from 2 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.