Tent camping in Kisatchie National Forest provides access to Louisiana's largest national forest spanning over 604,000 acres across central Louisiana. The terrain features a mix of longleaf pine forests, sandstone outcrops, and clear creeks unusual for Louisiana's typically swampy landscape. Most primitive camping areas remain open year-round with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F while winter nights can drop below freezing.
What to do
Trail exploration: 10+ miles of interconnected paths at Coyote Camp provide hiking opportunities along the sandstone trail system. A camper reports, "The trails are the main attraction, miles of hiking, biking, off road vehicle, and horse trails. From the scenic overlook, you can see for miles."
Creek swimming: Natural swimming holes form along Kisatchie Bayou at Kisatchie Bayou NF Campground where the water flows over sandstone creating small rapids. One visitor noted, "The creek is great both night and day. If its warm enough, you can swim!"
Paddling: Direct lake access allows campers to launch kayaks and canoes from shoreline campsites. A reviewer at Indian Creek mentioned, "We were able to launch our kayaks from our RV site," making water activities convenient without needing to transport equipment.
What campers like
Creek sounds: Peaceful water noise creates a relaxing atmosphere at several sites. A camper at Kisatchie Bayou NF Campground shared, "Setting up camp along the small rapids made for some wonderful relaxing and naps."
Spacious primitive sites: Room between campers provides privacy at most tent camping areas. One visitor to Hunters Camp - Calcasieu Ranger District observed, "My wife and I camped here just before memorial day and had the entire campsite to ourselves," showing how uncrowded these areas can be during off-peak times.
Dark skies: Minimal light pollution allows for stargazing at several forest locations. A camper noted about one site, "Extremely quiet, great dark sky opportunities," making it ideal for night sky viewing without city light interference.
What you should know
Wildlife awareness: Active animal presence requires proper food storage. A camper at Kisatchie Bayou NF Campground warned, "Be aware, as we walked into our campsite almost every bit of ground that wasn't packed had been torn up by hogs, like a lot of hogs."
Road conditions: Access requires driving unpaved roads to reach many primitive sites. A visitor to Red Bluff Camp reported, "It is about 5 miles off of the main road, down a red dirt road," so vehicles with low clearance may have difficulty reaching some areas.
Variable cell service: Coverage depends on location throughout the forest. One camper at Coyote Camp shared, "As for cell service I got between 2 and 3 bars I have cricket service. My Starlink wouldn't connect due to no clear view to many trees."
Tips for camping with families
Beach areas: Sandy shorelines at Stuart Complex provide child-friendly water access. A reviewer mentioned, "Lots of day picnic tables and bbq grills on daytime use side of the lake. Small beach for playing," offering designated areas for children to safely enjoy the water.
Multiple playgrounds: Structured play areas enhance family camping experiences at certain locations. A visitor to Indian Creek Recreation Area observed, "This is a campground that is designed for young families, from the multiple sandy beach areas to the playgrounds, there was lot for my elementary age children to do."
Weekday visits: Less crowded conditions provide better family experiences. One camper advised, "We went during the week, so it was quiet," suggesting families might enjoy more space and peaceful conditions by avoiding weekends.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Look for pull-through spots with lake views for easier setup. An RVer noted, "Campsites are well marked, paved roads and sites. Lots of pull thrus with views of the lake."
Size limitations: Measure your rig before booking at smaller campgrounds. One camper with a 26' Class C motorhome at Coyote Camp reported, "We found at least three sites that could accommodate our 26' class C," indicating limited options for larger vehicles.
Dump station locations: Plan waste disposal as not all sites offer this service. A visitor advised, "No sewer hookup, but has 2 dump stations," suggesting RVers should plan accordingly for longer stays.
