Kisatchie National Forest offers free dispersed camping options on approximately 604,000 acres of public land near Leesville, Louisiana. The forest contains diverse ecosystems including longleaf pine forests, bald cypress groves, and riparian zones along multiple waterways. Winter temperatures typically range from 40-60°F during the day while summer brings heat often exceeding 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Foraging opportunities: Forest Road 380 dispersed camping areas provide access to seasonal wild foods. According to one camper, "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."
Hiking the full trail: The Wild Azalea Trail stretches nearly 18 miles with multiple access points. One backpacker shared their experience: "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."
Freshwater fishing: Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail offers fishing opportunities throughout the year. A regular visitor notes, "Great fishing tho.. for me i enjoy middle to late October when it's cooler for sleeping in teepee hot tent."
Trail exploration: Evangeline Camp Complex provides access to well-maintained trails. A hiker reported, "Great trail. Very well marked and maintained. Some wet areas but not bad. Awesome primitive camping sites along trail."
What campers like
Natural water sources: Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest features a freshwater spring near the entrance. As one camper described it, "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."
Privacy and seclusion: The dispersed camping areas offer significant separation between sites. One visitor noted, "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."
Solar charging potential: Hunter's Camp provides open areas ideal for solar equipment. A camper observed, "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."
Well-maintained facilities: Despite being primitive, some areas receive regular maintenance. A visitor to Valentine Lake stated, "Its a really nice place to camp. Very small but well kept up."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads can become challenging after rainfall. A camper at Forest Road 380 noted, "The road is fine. A little hard to get through if it's wet. The spots to stay in have very rutted roads."
Complete isolation: Cell service is virtually nonexistent in most dispersed camping areas. One camper warned, "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."
Weather extremes: While typically warm, temperature fluctuations can occur. A winter camper shared, "The temp drops quickly during the winter months so be prepared. You do not need any kind of permit to camp here."
Trail difficulty: Hikers should prepare for challenging terrain. A backpacker on the Wild Azalea Trail advised, "Be prepared for plenty of ups and downs and some rough terrain."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife awareness: Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail has indigenous wildlife requiring caution. A camper warns, "Wouldn't recommend swimming in that lake. Lots of Gators and big snapping turtles."
Group-friendly clearings: Several larger sites accommodate family gatherings. A hiker mentioned, "There are other clearings nearby which would be great for a small group camp."
Seasonal planning: Schedule family trips during moderate weather periods. A regular visitor suggested, "I enjoy middle to late October when it's cooler for sleeping."
Location-specific regulations: Primitive camping near Leesville has specific distancing requirements. A camper noted, "Primitive camping is permitted adjacent to the trail but campsites must be at least 30 feet from the trail center line."
Tips from RVers
Limited big-rig access: Only select primitive camping areas near Leesville can accommodate larger RVs. Forest Road 380 offers "about 5 camp areas. a few of them are group sites. Very large and spacious."
Stay duration limits: Forest Service regulations permit extended stays at some locations. A camper mentioned, "The stay here is 30 days."
Water fill opportunities: Campers can replenish water supplies at natural springs. One RVer noted, "Locals come here to fill water. It's very fresh and refreshing."
Wet weather precautions: Access roads deteriorate quickly during rainy periods. A camper advised, "Pretty easy to take just about anything down it" when conditions are dry, but noted difficulty "if it's wet."
