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Kisatchie National Forest provides several free dispersed camping options near Leesville, Louisiana. Hunter's Camp offers primitive sites in a pine forest setting with vault toilets and trash receptacles. The camping area features open sky with yellow pines creating scattered shade, making it suitable for solar charging. Forest Road 380 provides more secluded primitive camping with approximately five spacious areas, some suitable for groups. The access road can be difficult when wet, with rutted paths leading to individual sites.
Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail offers backcountry camping options for hikers. Primitive camping is permitted adjacent to the trail, but sites must be at least 30 feet from the trail centerline. The 18-mile trail features multiple clearings suitable for camping near streams that provide water for filtering. As one camper noted, "There are adequate running streams to get water for filtering." The trail includes "plenty of ups and downs and some rough terrain" and is best hiked when temperatures are moderate. Forest Road 380 also features a natural spring near the entrance where "locals come here to fill water." All sites follow the standard pack-it-in, pack-it-out protocol with no services or cell reception.
"Map shows a camping loop that appears to have been abandoned by the Forest Service. It had a dead hog blocking the loop."
"No trash pick up. No water hook ups. There is however, a natural spring that is piped just as you enter FR380. Locals come here to fill water. It’s very fresh and refreshing."
"The drive there was beautiful. Getting to the camp site was pretty straightforward through google Maps. You can pull ur vehicle right up your camp site."
"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."
"There is both primitive and fixed campsites.you have a couple Small trails in and around Valentine lake, or you caan hop on wild azeala trail and hike it. Its just short of 18 miles start to finish."
"Great trail. Very well marked and maintained. Some wet areas but not bad. Awesome primitive camping sites along trail."
"Followed Google Maps to lat long, was just a bit off... took what looked like a road in. Well, not the cool campsites the other reviews spoke of."
LegendOpen all year
Primitive
The Wild Azalea Trail is south west of Alexandria, Louisiana on the edge of the Valentine Lake Recreation Area. There is a trail head with parking on the grass, nicely mowed but if it has rained it could be muddy. Primitive camping is permitted adjacent to the trail but campsites must be at least 30 feet from the trail center line.
Pack it in, Pack it out
LNT
BTYFI
NO FIRES
Travel safe
RangerNice disbursed site. Map shows a camping loop that appears to have been abandoned by the Forest Service. It had a dead hog blocking the loop. This loop is about 150 yards from the vaulted toilet and garbage receptacle.
There is another loop adjacent to the toilet and garbage that appears to have disbursed camping spots with places where fires were made.
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.
The only other camper is a crazy dude on the old camping loop by the dead pig.
LegendLet 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.
The road is fine. A little hard to get through if it’s wet. The spots to stay in have very rutted roads. Pretty easy to take just about anything down it.
There are about 5 camp areas. a few of them are group sites. Very large and spacious.
The stay here is 30 days. No bathroom. No trash pick up. No water hook ups.
There is however, a natural spring that is piped just as you enter FR380. Locals come here to fill water. It’s very fresh and refreshing.
It normally is warm all year round here. But we d coded to camp in every state so far when an artic blast is moving through. So, normally in december it’s not 12 degrees for a high ANYWHERE in this state.
It rained about 16-17 days of our stay, but we did find some amazing things. My first time finding and eating Lions Maine Mushrooms.
Lots of trash behind some of the sites. Can definitely tell it’s a party spot. Or at least it used to be.
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.
ScoutGreat trail. Very well marked and maintained. Some wet areas but not bad. Awesome primitive camping sites along trail.
GuideI 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. The trail itself is great and pretty well maintained. Be prepared for plenty of ups and downs and some rough terrain. There are adequate running streams to get water for filtering. From camp I went another 1.5 miles to the Evangeline primitive area parking lot (where there is a pit toilet), some beautiful views along that stretch. I would definitely do it again, but with a lighter pack and not in 90 degree weather!
TravelerThe drive there was beautiful. Getting to the camp site was pretty straightforward through google Maps. You can pull ur vehicle right up your camp site. 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. 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. The temp drops quickly during the winter months so be prepared. You do not need any kind of permit to camp here.
GuideFollowed Google Maps to lat long, was just a bit off... took what looked like a road in. Well, not the cool campsites the other reviews spoke of. I should have continued further down the Forrest road in. Anyway, I followed the obvious tracks in... went through some mud holes and a few steep inclines. This wrong route I ended taking would not be good with a trailer. One other person is out here... but I can hear others and what is probably the main area. I'm just here for the night, so I am not moving to find the main area. At&t 4G, 2 solid bars. Thorny out here.
TravelerVery clean and and kept up very well nicely shaded
ScoutThis a a cool place to spend a weekend. There is both primitive and fixed campsites.you have a couple Small trails in and around Valentine lake, or you caan hop on wild azeala trail and hike it. Its just short of 18 miles start to finish. Wouldn't recommend swimming in that lake. Lots of Gators and big snapping turtles. . Great fishing tho.. for me i enjoy middle to late October when it's cooler for sleeping in teepee hot tent..
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Leesville, LA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Leesville, LA is Hunter's Camp with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Leesville, LA?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Leesville, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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