Louisiana is known as Cajun country, where the land there was formed from sediment washed down by the Mississippi River, forming huge deltas and massive areas of coastal marsh and bayous with alligators and tree frogs and trees lined with spanish moss. Ibis and egrets fly through longleaf pine forests and wet savannas are filled with orchids, pitcher plants and sundews. Camping in Louisiana is an experience like no other. Whether it’s by RV, tent or just under the starlit sky, camping in Louisiana is an adventure unlike anywhere else in the United States. 


But it’s not all wetlands and marshes. Enjoy the best of coastal camping in Louisiana’s beachside community of Grand Isle. Located where Highway 1 meets the Gulf of Mexico, it’s the closest Louisiana beach from Baton Rouge and New Orleans, making these destinations a convenient day trip while you’re camping. 


Grand Isle is, in fact, an island and a town, with small, locally-owned shops and a state park just made for camping. With 63 sites available, Grand Isle State Park is a great place to camp on the beach and cook the seafood you just caught during July’s Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo, an event that brings together the best saltwater fishermen in the world. Or, if you like bird watching, the Grand Isle Migratory Bird Festival offers plenty of opportunities to see a myriad of bird species return home from South America. Of course, there’s plenty of swimming, hiking, crabbing and boating in Grand Isle as well. 


Another great place for camping in Louisiana is Tunica Hills, which belongs to the Bluff Hills portion of the Mississippi Valley Loess Plains and extends from the Natchez, Mississippi area to St. Francisville, Louisiana. Managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Tunica Hills Wildlife Area is northwest of St. Francisville and covers more than 5,900 acres of rolling hills and scenic beauty.


Remember when I talked about the wetland and marshes? Tunica Hills isn’t anything like that; in fact, it’s unlike any other area in Louisiana. In Tunica Hills, you’ll find springs and waterfalls, rugged terrain, cliffs 90 feet high, deep gorges and lush, diverse plant life and animals you won’t find anywhere else in the state.  


And while Tunica Hills is known for hunting, a variety of other activities offer campers plenty to do such as horseback riding, hiking, ATV riding and sightseeing. And if you’re a birding enthusiast, then you’ve hit the jackpot because rare birds such as the Coopers hawk and worm-eating warbler live within the thick forests there. It’s no wonder John James Audubon was inspired to paint his famous bird series there in the early 1800s. 


Louisiana is full of other places to go camping. Don’t worry, we’ve got more recommendations. And while you’re camping in Louisiana, you might as well cook like you’re in Louisiana. 


Let us know how your experience in Louisiana was by leaving a review of your campground on The Dyrt. 

Louisiana

The Best Camping in Louisiana | 100+ LA Campgrounds

Kisatchie National Forest, LA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Kisatchie National Forest is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Kisatchie National Forest. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Kisatchie National Forest

The Best Camping Near Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana

Beaver Dam Campground is situated on the shores of Upper Caney Lake in the Caney Lakes Recreation Complex. The campground is located in a beautiful setting among woods, lakes and hills. Swimming, boating, fishing and water skiing are the top activities. Sugar Cane National Recreation Trail passes right next to the campground and offers varied terrain for hikers and bikers. The Sugar Cane trail was named for the crop that was once cultivated here, in addition to cotton. Recreation Bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill and sandbass can be caught in the lakes. The Sugar Cane Trail spans 5.7 miles and the Lost Man Loop spans 2 miles. Both are open to hiking and mountain biking. Facilities Campsites come with electric and water hookups. The group picnic area accommodates up to 200 guests while each campsite fits up to eight campers. A sanitary dump station, drinking water and flush toilets are provided. Natural Features Beaver Dam sits at an elevation of 160 feet along the north shores of the 125-acre Upper Caney Lake. The group picnic area is near Lower Caney Lake, spanning 250 acres. Kisatchie National Forest, the only national forest in Louisiana, spans 604,000 acres and mostly consists of bayous with bald cypress groves and old growth pine. Nearby Attractions The city of Minden has restaurants, shopping and golfing. ADA Access: N

Beaver Dam Campground

Visitors to Custis Camp can enjoy an out-of-the-way camping area within the National Red Dirt Wildlife Management Preserve. Although this camp is a designated hunter's camp, it can be utilized year around by general forest visitors. Very primitive site with limited facilities.

Custis Camp

**The campground and trails around Kincaid Lake remain closed due to Hurricane Laura damage.**
The Kincaid Lake Recreation Complex on the Evangeline Unit in the Calcasieu Ranger District, has two modern campgrounds, a group picnic area, and a primitive camping area. 

Kincaid Lake, a 2,600 acre reservoir, provides the setting for this attractive development.

Kincaid Recreation Area provides a wide range of outdoor opportunities including camping, swimming, picnicking, boating, water skiing, fishing, hiking, and bicycling.

Trash disposal available. Paved roads.

Kincaid Lake Campground - Temporarily Closed

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.

Evangeline Camp Complex

There is an assortment of recreational opportunities within the Stuart Lake Recreation Complex including fishing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, and much more. Situated on a beautiful 5-acre lake surrounded by pine-hardwood forest, this area provides outdoor recreational opportunities for camping, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, bicycling, and nature study. The day use facility includes flush toilets, paved parking, a fishing pier, shore fishing, a swimming beach, picnic tables and barbeque pits. The group use facility is located up the hill from the day use area and the swimming beach. It is equipped with a covered picnic shelter, a large party barbeque pit, trash bins, restrooms, and access to day use facilities including the lake. Group use area facilites include: restrooms, gravel parking, extra large barbeque pit, trash bins, large covered picnic shelter, and access to the day use facilities and lake. The Stuart Nature Trail and the Glenn Emery hiking and biking trail both be accessed here. The Stuart Lake Campground is a primitive campground with 8 sites that was renovated in 2009. General facilities also include drinking water, restrooms, and an open-air amphitheater. Trash disposal available.

Stuart Lake Recreation Complex, Camping/Day Use

Valentine Lake Northshore Campground

**The campground and day-use area are temporarily closed for construction to stabilize the banks of the Bayou.**

Visitors to the Kisatchie Bayou Recreation Complex can enjoy scenic views of the rocky bayou surrounded by beautiful old growth hardwood and pine which gives this out-of-the-way recreation area such a wonderful setting for visitors. Hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, and just relaxing are all popular activities enjoyed here.

Kisatchie Bayou Campground is a primitive walk-in camping atmosphere with 17 walk-in sites and 1 drive-in site at the middle parking area. Tent pads, barbeque pits, and lantern posts are at each campsite. Trash receptacles and restrooms are available, but visitors should be aware that there is *NO WATER AVAILABLE* at this campground. This complex is a designated fee area.

At the Day Use Area, there are vault restroom facilities, trash receptacles, picnic tables and fire rings. There are access steps to the bank of the bayou which allows canoe users to unload from the lower parking lot to the waters edge. Fishing is a very popular activity at Kisatchie Bayou with the possibility of hooking a bass, perch, sunfish, or catfish.

Kisatchie Bayou NF Campground - Temporarily Closed

Loran Site Complex

Cloud Crossing Campground is a beautiful bottomland area timbered with large hardwoods and pines that is directly adjacent to Saline Bayou National Wild and Scenic River. The terrain is flat with brushy areas that provide seclusion for some camping sites. Cloud Crossing is an ideal put-in/take-out point for boating or canoeing on Saline Bayou. Visitors to the campground will find picnicking units, a pavilion with barbecue pit, shaded campsites with grill/fire rings, lantern hooks, and tables, trash containers, and restrooms. A launch ramp suitable for small trailered boats and other small watercraft is available.

Cloud Crossing Complex

Visitors to the Kisatchie Bayou Recreation Complex can enjoy scenic views of the rocky bayou surrounded by beautiful old growth hardwood and pine which gives this out-of-the-way recreation area such a wonderful setting for visitors. Hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, and just relaxing are all popular activities enjoyed here. Kisatchie Bayou Campground is a primitive walk-in camping atmosphere with 17 walk-in sites and 1 drive-in site at the middle parking area. Tent pads, barbeque pits, and lantern posts are at each campsite. Trash receptacles and restrooms are available, but visitors should be aware that there is *NO WATER AVAILABLE* at this campground. This complex is a designated fee area. At the Day Use Area, there are vault restroom facilities, trash receptacles, picnic tables and fire rings. There are access steps to the bank of the bayou which allows canoe users to unload from the lower parking lot to the waters edge. Fishing is a very popular activity at Kisatchie Bayou with the possibility of hooking a bass, perch, sunfish, or catfish.

Kisatchie Bayou Complex

Join the fun near New Orleans. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. New Orleans is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Louisiana camping adventure.

New Orleans

The Best Camping in New Orleans | Louisiana Campgrounds

Baton Rouge is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Baton Rouge campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Baton Rouge, LA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Baton Rouge

The Best Baton Rouge Campgrounds | LA Camping

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Shreveport, LA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Shreveport is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Shreveport

The Best Camping Near Shreveport, Louisiana

Metairie Terrace is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Metairie Terrace campgrounds just for you. Discover great camping spots near Metairie Terrace, reviewed by campers like you.

Metairie Terrace

The Best Camping Near Metairie Terrace, Louisiana

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Lafayette. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Lafayette camping trip.

Lafayette

The Best Camping Near Lafayette, Louisiana

Lake Charles, LA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Discover great camping spots near Lake Charles, reviewed by campers like you.

Lake Charles

The Best Camping Near Lake Charles, Louisiana

Are you in need of a campground near Bossier City, LA? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Bossier City. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Bossier City

The Best Camping Near Bossier City, Louisiana

Join the fun near Alexandria. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Louisiana camping has to offer. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Alexandria, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Alexandria

The Best Camping Near Alexandria, Louisiana

Are you in need of a campground near Ruston, LA? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Louisiana camping adventure.

Ruston

The Best Camping Near Ruston, Louisiana

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Morgan City. Morgan City is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Morgan City, LA. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

The Best Camping in Kisatchie National Forest

Top Campgrounds in Kisatchie National Forest (35)

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