Dispersed camping sites near Columbia, Louisiana can be found along the Ouachita River and surrounding areas, with options ranging from primitive spots to full-service RV parks. Most campsites are situated at elevations below 100 feet, reflecting the region's flat river basin topography. Seasonal flooding affects site availability, particularly during spring months when the Ouachita River often rises above normal levels.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Lincoln Parish Park offers 11 miles of nationally recognized mountain bike courses alongside camping options. "Really nice primitive spots with fire pits as well as RV spots. Clean restrooms and showers. 11 mile trail system for hiking/mt bike. Exceptional mt bike course," notes a visitor to Lincoln Parish Park.
Wine tasting: Camp at Landry Vineyards while enjoying their vineyard tours and tastings. "The winery was fantastic! We took a tour of the facility, guided by the winemaker and owner. Well worth it. The wines are great, so much so that we left with 6 bottles!" shares a camper at Landry Vineyards.
Fishing access: Caney Lake at Jimmie Davis State Park provides trophy bass fishing opportunities. "The only park on caney lake. Good lake for fishing and water sports, many sites you can park your boat very close," reports a camper about the fishing conditions.
What campers like
Quiet settings: The lack of noise pollution at many campsites near Columbia stands out to visitors. "Beautiful, quiet and relaxing. We stayed at Landry Vineyards for one night. It was only a few miles off of the highway but was very quiet and secluded. A beautiful location," mentions a camper.
Level campsites: Poverty Point Reservoir State Park offers well-maintained, flat camping areas. "Big sites. Well maintained. Beautiful," notes one camper, while another mentions, "Very nice campsites, lake is beautiful. Restroom and bathhouse was super clean."
Historic sites: Campers appreciate access to nearby cultural attractions. When staying at Louisiana Herbs on Breston Plantation, visitors can explore plantation grounds. "Breston was an amazing host!!! The historic plantation is absolutely gorgeous. We got the grand tour of the land, and Breston's impressive herb farm."
What you should know
Wildlife presence: Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area offers primitive camping with potential wildlife encounters. "I read the reviews about bears and put my ring doorbell out in hopes of a glimpse, but no such luck. We could hear local cows and dogs but nothing so loud as to disrupt our sleep," reports a camper at Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area.
Campsite reservations: Many parks don't assign specific sites at reservation. "You aren't assigned a site at reservation, so you'll need to get there early if you want a specific one," advises a Lincoln Parish Park visitor.
Permit requirements: Some public lands now require permits. "Perfectly fine site, a very nice ranger kindly told me that it's 5 dollars, just FYI!" notes a camper about Russell Sage WMA's recent policy change.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "Big lake with beach(seasonal). Big Playground for young kids," mentions a Lincoln Parish Park visitor, while another adds it "truly has everything you'll need for entertaining your whole family."
Water recreation: Jimmie Davis State Park provides family-friendly water activities. "Clean, well kept park. Has a nice splash pad and beach for kids. Also a couple parks and many hammocks," shares one camper.
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat and insects can affect family camping experiences. "You do receive a gate code when in person check in so if you book online see if you have received that too!" advises a winter camper at Lincoln Parish Park, noting seasonal variations.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Most RV parks near Columbia accommodate large rigs but have varying space considerations. "The layout is a bit tricky to navigate with a trailer, spots are close and the turns are sharp with bad angles," notes a visitor to Pavilion RV Park.
Hookup options: Full-service sites are available at multiple locations. "The site was amazing - nestled in the back of a vineyard, on the top of a hill. Originally, our site said it was set up for motorized RVs with the hookups set to drive into the site. However, when we arrived (with our 30 foot TT) we found hookups on BOTH sides of the site, making it that much easier for us to hook up," shares a Landry Vineyards camper.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require adjustments for larger RVs. "The site(#3) was on the upper level and was quite scenic...a nice spot. The site was rock and not quite level since we had to use leveling blocks to avoid having the back tires of our 39 foot motorhome lifted off the ground," reports another Landry Vineyards visitor.
