The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Lake Charles, LA

88 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent camping opportunities around Lake Charles, Louisiana remain limited, with a small selection of sites situated in the greater region. Longville Lake Park offers tent sites about 35 miles northwest of Lake Charles, while Holly's Beach provides dispersed camping options along the Gulf Coast approximately 40 miles southwest. Claiborne West Park in nearby Vidor, Texas, about 50 miles west of Lake Charles, represents another established option for tent campers seeking alternatives within driving distance.

The dispersed camping area at Holly's Beach permits both drive-in and walk-in tent access with minimal amenities. Campers must pack out all waste except trash, which can be disposed of in provided receptacles. Fires are allowed, and the beach setting provides natural, ungraded surfaces for pitching tents. Alcohol and pets are permitted, unlike at Longville Lake Park where both are prohibited. Neither location offers drinking water, electric hookups, picnic tables, or toilet facilities, requiring self-sufficient preparation.

Tent campers utilizing these areas should bring adequate water supplies and practice Leave No Trace principles due to limited facilities. Holly's Beach provides a coastal camping experience with Gulf access, while Longville Lake offers a more inland setting. Sites generally lack shade structures, making summer camping particularly challenging in the humid Louisiana climate. Claiborne West Park technically offers more amenities including picnic tables, toilet facilities and trash disposal, but recent feedback indicates accessibility issues. A camper wrote: "No signage for where to camp, roads closed as well as the office." Most tent camping in this region requires proper planning and self-sufficiency, as services and facilities remain minimal compared to more developed camping destinations elsewhere in Louisiana.

Map showing campgrounds near Lake Charles, LouisianaExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Lake Charles, Louisiana (3)

Show More
Showing results 1-3 of 3 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Lake Charles Contest

Enter to Win

Tent Camping Reviews near Lake Charles, LA

88 Reviews of 3 Lake Charles Campgrounds

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 14, 2025

    White Oak Parish Park Campground

    This place needs 10 stars!

    We couldn’t believe that this place is only $12 after we arrived! It is as nice as any experience campground we’ve stayed at! It has 8 pull through sites. Each site has electricity and water. They each have a fire ring, barbecue, garbage can and picnic table. Each site has a nice lawn and there are trees that provide shade. The tent area is tuck off next to the tree line and they have fire rings and barbecue pits as well. It has clean bathrooms and showers and it has a dump station. They have a huge picnic area along with a great park for kids. They provide a dog station with poop bags and trash. This is situated right on the river and is only a short walk for some amazing views. The campground was quiet and clean I would imagine it would be hard to get a spot here during the busy season! Early morning fisherman do come by the camp on their way to the boat launch but the noise didn’t bother us. This is truly a gem of Louisiana and one you should definitely take the time to discover.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2022

    Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping

    Free Beach Camping

    Free camping on the beach. No problem driving on the hard packed sand. Camped here in a camper van. Plenty of room, far from other campers. I was surprised at how wide the beach was given it's history with storms. Clean. Portable toilets near entrance to beach; pretty nasty. Also, trash dumsters; full when we arrived. Horse flies & other insects can be a problem here, but not too bad if a breeze or wind is coming off of the gulf. Good AT&T & T-Mobile service. Good experience.

  • Sue B.
    Mar. 3, 2019

    Holbrook Parish Park Campground

    Beautiful natural setting

    Great little Park. 14 sites. $12 a night. Reservable. Max stay 14 days per month. Day use area, playground, bathrooms, shower, pavilion, dump station, boat ramp. The host is wonderful.

  • Mike V.
    Aug. 22, 2016

    Sam Houston Jones State Park — Sam Houston Jones State Park District II

    Camping, hiking, canoeing, birding at Sam Hou Jones State Park -- sw LA

    Typical state park campground area to suite campers/rv's & tents. Must reserve sites for 2-day minimums or more on weekends. Many of the campsites are shaded. They have bath houses w/ showers and flush toilets. Since it is close to Lake Charles, LA and other towns, this park does get used by both locals and others. SHJSP is surrounded by water on 2 or 3 sides, and has low water areas within the park. Thus, it is a popular place to go for fishing, canoeing, kayaking. The birding is very good here most times of the year, and there is deer that live on state park property here. Mosquitos can be really rough here certain times of the year. Hiking trails are ok here, but nothing awesome, except a couple boardwalks & viewing platforms are nice.

  • D
    May. 4, 2022

    Alligator Parish Park Campground

    Clean and quiet

    Stayed one night in 30 ft travel trailer (May 2,2022) and we were the only campers. There were other visitors/fisherman but quiet and peaceful. Restrooms clean and spacious. Shower was separate and locked but host would unlock as needed. All 7 pads are gravel, level, elevated above grass—helpful after hard rain— and would accommodate large rigs. Lake or old river course 100 plus feet from campsites. May bring kayaks next time. Road access is good and signs to guide you. One bar cell service. Each site has sewer but not conveniently located—near entrance to site and would require very long hose or require rigs to block access road when dumping This park happened to be along our route to another campground and not along major highway. Nice place to relax overnight or for few days.

  • Kloee S.
    Mar. 6, 2022

    White Oak Parish Park Campground

    What a gem!!

    We needed a one nighter and were going to do harvest host, but its a little warm for that, so looked for a place with electrical hookups. Found this one, and so glad I did!! Only 8 sites! Clean, quiet, pretty, large pull thru sites, and near the water. Every site has its own USA flag (so cool!!), and a picnic table, bbq grill and fire ring. Looks like its very popular with the fisherman!! And best of all $12/ night!!

  • P
    Nov. 14, 2021

    Twelve Oaks RV Park

    Good for an Overnighter

    Very simple park with few trees but great for an overnight or short stay if you need to be near Lake Charles. I was warmly greeted during check-in. Sites are full hookup and wifi actually worked with reasonable speeds of about 5 mbps. They are also accommodating to overnighters and provided me an easy access pull through for when I left in the morning. I just gave it a 3 because I found nothing bad nor exceptional to swing a rating either way.

  • Cat R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Sam Houston Jones State Park — Sam Houston Jones State Park District II

    Great for hiking, biking, and kayaking

    If you like Louisiana Wildlife this is the place for you! I saw a couple of lounging alligators, egrets, snapping turtles, deer, and a chipmunk!!! I was kind of scared when I saw a sign on the trails warning of the gators! As far as RV camping, it wasn't a really nice area. The site we were in was 56, I don't reccomend it. Pretty unlevel and very close to other campers. When it rained, the water pooled on the backside and where the picnic table was. There was a shower house. It was old, but really clean.

  • Tammy B.
    Sep. 13, 2021

    Artesian Springs Resort

    Artesian springs resort

    Has a white sand spring fed swim area with a large slide and a trolley. Golf cart and pet friendly. Trails to walk on in the woods around several ponds. Has 30 and 50 amp connection's, sewer and water hook up. Tent and cabin camping also. Canoe rentals for catch and release fishing in ponds. No wifi. Ice and snow cones available from office.

Guide to Lake Charles

Tent camping near Lake Charles, LA offers limited but diverse options within driving distance of the city. The region's subtropical climate brings humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters, making fall and spring the most comfortable seasons for outdoor recreation. Most sites lack reliable shade and require campers to be self-sufficient with water and supplies due to minimal infrastructure.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Longville Lake Park provides access to fishing waters approximately 35 miles northwest of Lake Charles. The lake supports various freshwater species including bass and catfish, though facilities remain minimal.

Beach activities: Holly's Beach offers direct Gulf of Mexico access for swimming, beachcombing, and shell collecting. The shoreline camping allows visitors to set up tents with unobstructed water views, though the area is completely exposed to weather conditions.

Trail exploration: Claiborne West Park features nature trails suitable for day hiking. The park's location near Vidor, Texas makes it accessible for Lake Charles residents willing to drive approximately 50 miles west.

What campers like

Solitude and space: The dispersed camping area at Holly's Beach typically has ample room for tents with minimal crowding, even during weekends. Campers appreciate the ability to find isolated spots away from others.

Cost-effective option: Most tent sites near Lake Charles have minimal or no fees, making them budget-friendly alternatives to hotels or rental properties. This allows longer stays without significant expense.

Wildlife viewing: The coastal and inland areas provide opportunities to observe native Louisiana wildlife. Morning and evening hours typically offer the best chances to spot birds and small mammals in their natural habitats.

What you should know

Weather preparedness: The Gulf Coast experiences rapid weather changes, particularly during hurricane season (June through November). Always check weather forecasts before departing and have evacuation plans ready.

Limited amenities: Most tent camping areas near Lake Charles lack basic facilities. One camper visiting Longville Lake Park noted: "Bring everything you need including water and toilet paper. There are no services available on site."

Insect protection: The humid climate supports large mosquito populations, especially after rainfall. Pack sufficient repellent, netting, and consider camping during cooler months when insect activity decreases.

Tips for camping with families

Safety considerations: Most dispersed camping areas lack designated play areas or safety features. Establish clear boundaries for children, particularly at coastal sites where tides and currents present hazards.

Activity planning: Pack games and activities that don't require specialized facilities. Traditional outdoor games and nature scavenger hunts work well given the minimal infrastructure at most sites.

Comfort essentials: The lack of shade makes tent temperatures climb quickly in mornings. Bring additional tarps or canopies to create shaded areas, particularly if camping with young children or during summer months.

Tips from RVers

Access limitations: Many roads leading to camping areas near Lake Charles have weight restrictions or rough conditions. Large RVs may find Holly's Beach challenging to access during wet conditions when sand becomes soft.

Generator policies: While generators are technically permitted at most dispersed sites, their use is often discouraged during evening hours. Consider alternative power sources like solar panels to maintain neighborly relations with nearby tent campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lake Charles, LA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lake Charles, LA is Longville Lake Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Lake Charles, LA?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Lake Charles, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring

  2. View all Louisiana cities for camping