Best Tent Camping near Mansfield, LA

Tent campgrounds near Mansfield, Louisiana offer several primitive camping options in the nearby Kisatchie National Forest. Red Bluff Camp provides secluded tent sites approximately 5 miles down a red dirt road in the Kisatchie District, while Camp Quapaw offers primitive tent camping with nearby hiking opportunities. Both locations cater specifically to tent campers seeking a more natural experience away from developed facilities.

Most tent sites in the region feature basic, unimproved surfaces with limited amenities. Red Bluff Camp provides vault toilets and trash disposal at the parking area but no drinking water, making it essential for campers to bring their own supply. The campground has a 14-day stay limit and requires campers to pack out their trash to designated collection points. Access to Red Bluff involves a quarter-mile hike from the parking area to reach the camping zones. The dirt roads leading to these primitive campgrounds can become challenging during wet weather, potentially requiring vehicles with higher clearance.

The tent camping experience near Mansfield emphasizes seclusion and connection with nature. Camp Quapaw features hiking trails directly from the campsite, while Red Bluff Camp provides access to the broader trail network within Kisatchie National Forest. The areas offer significant tree cover, providing natural shade for tent campers during Louisiana's warmer months. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant in these wooded settings. A visitor commented that "Red Bluff is very remote and secluded, which we loved." Another camper noted that despite occasional challenges with wet conditions, the peaceful bayou-adjacent sites at Red Bluff Camp make it "one of our favorite sites." Tent campers should be prepared for truly primitive conditions with few modern conveniences, particularly at more remote backcountry sites.

Best Tent Sites Near Mansfield, Louisiana (6)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Mansfield, LA

145 Reviews of 6 Mansfield Campgrounds


  • D
    Nov. 24, 2022

    Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    Beautiful state park

    Lake Bistineau is a great state park park near Shreveport, LA. We stayed 2 nights. The sites are very shady. The park streets and sites are asphalt. Some roads need repaving. The park was clean and quiet, and the staff was friendly. Unfortunately, the lake was drawn down to eradicate an invasive water plant. But, this presented a unique opportunity. We could walk on the dry lake bottom and see the parts of cypress trees that are normally under water. 

    Stayed in back-in campsite#14 which was level side to side, but the front was higher. The site has a nice view of the lake and a large wooden deck. There was just enough parking for my 34 ft TT and truck. Neighbors are nearby, but not too close. The site included: picnic table on concrete, BBQ pit, trash pole, and fire ring. Utilities: 20/30/50A electric in back. Water in back, good pressure. No sewer, but a dump station is available. 

    AT&T had 2 bars of LTE and Verizon 2 bars of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 5.1 Mbps down, 0.7 Mbps up. Verizon Speedtest: 7.4 Mbps down, 0.1 Mbps up. No WiFi. 

    Would stay here again. We camped at Lake Bistineau State Park in a Travel Trailer.

  • Mike V.
    Jun. 29, 2016

    Cloud Crossing Complex

    Cloud Crossing Campground, Kisatchie Natl Forest, N of Goldonna, LA

    Free public access small boat launch on to Saline Bayou at the campground. One end of the hiking trail along bayou is very close to the campground. Bathroom bldg. at campground has pit toilets only, not flush toilets. Campsites have fire rings and picnic tables. No electrical hook-up. First come - first serve, no reservations.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 19, 2021

    Dogwood Camp

    Neglected

    Sites: 16 drive in (small)

    LIMIT: 14 days 

    Picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, flush toilets, trash The camp is right off the highway and in the spring I am sure it is beautiful with the amazing dogwood trees. Right now it is very sad and very neglected. It is sitting right next to the National Forest work center and it sure needs some work. There was no one at the work center and we could not tell where one site began and where one ended. There were limbs down all over the site and because of the leaves it was hard to even tell where to drive. The door on the ladies restroom was broken and could not be closed. The campground itself could be beautiful but neglect was seen everywhere. We spent a quick night and left. There was no fee box or notice. 

    LNT 

    Travel safe

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 29, 2021

    Red Bluff Camp

    Peace in the Woods

    Limit:  14 days

    There is a short walk in only 1/4 mile but the peace is well worth the hike.  At the beginning you will find a pit toilet and trash.  No water.  Bare bones is that is what you are looking for.  I will be honest and say that there are more sites in this National Forest where I would rather stay and they are also primitive.  

    LNT

    Pack it in Pack it out ( at least to the trash can)

    BTYFI

    Travel safe

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Red Bluff Camp

    Down a long red dirt road

    Inside the Kisatchie National Forest, Kisatchie District. This campground is aptly named. It is about 5 miles off of the main road, down a red dirt road. There is trail access from this campground. It is very small, with vault toilets and no water. No specific sites and lots of shade. It's a little eerie to be all the way out here. The trail access is why you stay here. The boys loved riding bikes down these dusty roads. The piece and quiet and views were great. Lots of wildlife in these trees.

  • S
    Dec. 29, 2019

    Boles Field Campground

    Lots of sites

    The bathrooms are not kept clean, on site attendants camp is a cluttered mess, camp sites close to the road. Otherwise, nice trees, good camp sites, level ground, dark at night.

  • Cat R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2020

    Beaver Dam Campground

    Peace and Quiet

    This is a very beautiful Federal campground. Sites are scattered. Lots of shade, large trees. We were in site 16, which has water access and views. Level concrete pads. Electric and water. Dump station only. Many beautiful hiking and bike trails. Kayaking, swimming , boating and fishing. Showers are restrooms were very old. Camp host was super nice and friendly. Picnic tables and large firepits on sites.

  • Aurora A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2021

    Cloud Crossing Complex

    Peaceful

    Beautiful campground Picnic tables and fire rings. Really nice and peaceful. Quiet at night. Pretty good fishing and hiking.

  • D
    Apr. 21, 2025

    Cypress Bend State Rec Area

    Cypress Bend State Rec Area

    Cypress Bend State Recreation Area in Many, Louisiana, offers a scenic getaway on 114 acres of forested land along Toledo Bend Lake.citeturn0search0**Accommodations& Amenities:**-**RV Campsites:** 68 sites equipped with water, sewer, and 50/30/20 amp electrical hookups.-**Cabins:** 10 fully furnished waterfront cabins featuring air conditioning, heating, kitchenware, linens, microwave, coffee pot, and satellite TV.-**Recreational Facilities:** A renovated beach area, playground, volleyball court, covered pavilions with picnic tables, restrooms, and a 6-lane paved boat ramp.-**Fishing:** A lighted, handicap-accessible pier for fishing enthusiasts.**Access& Fees:**-**Entrance Fee:**$2.00 per person(children 12& under enter free).-**Operating Hours:** Park gates open at 6:00 am and close at 5:00 pm. Special arrangements can be made for late arrivals of registered guests.citeturn0search1 For more information or to make reservations, you can visit the[Sabine River Authority's official website](https://srala-toledo.com/cypress-bend-park/) or call(318) 256-4118. https://photocalltv.es/


Guide to Mansfield

Tent camping near Mansfield, Louisiana concentrates in the Kisatchie National Forest with primitive sites typically situated on uneven, natural terrain. The region receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest conditions but occasionally challenging ground conditions for tent setup. Most primitive campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 150-300 feet, offering rolling forest landscapes rather than dramatic elevation changes.

What to do

Explore forest trails: Red Bluff Camp provides access to the broader Kisatchie National Forest trail system where campers can hike through diverse pine and hardwood ecosystems. A visitor noted, "There is trail access from this campground. The boys loved riding bikes down these dusty roads. The piece and quiet and views were great."

Wildlife observation: The densely wooded areas around Camp Quapaw support abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "Camp Quapaw offers a great spot for primitive camping and tons of nearby activities including hiking at the camp and still near town for your essentials," reports one camper who appreciated the natural setting.

Waterway proximity: Several campsites provide bayou access for fishing or nature observation. During certain seasons, water levels can fluctuate significantly. One camper at Red Bluff Camp observed, "The bayou was VERY high, and the site was very wet" following heavy rains, which affected their camping experience but didn't diminish their enjoyment.

What campers like

Natural seclusion: The remote locations of primitive sites appeal to campers seeking quiet experiences. As one visitor to Red Bluff Camp stated, "It is about 5 miles off of the main road, down a red dirt road. It is very small, with vault toilets and no water. No specific sites and lots of shade."

Problem-solving opportunities: The primitive nature of camping near Mansfield creates unique challenges that some campers embrace. A visitor described their experience: "It rained all day until right when we arrived but we weren't about to let that ruin a much needed weekend. We just surrounded our fire pit with leaves and pine needles to help dry the area and we were good to go."

Group camping flexibility: South Abutment East and similar locations provide open areas where multiple tents can be pitched together, making them suitable for small group camping trips. This allows families or friends to create communal camping areas while maintaining primitive camping conditions.

What you should know

Water availability: Most primitive campgrounds near Mansfield lack potable water sources. One camper at Red Bluff Camp advises: "There is a short walk in only 1/4 mile but the peace is well worth the hike. At the beginning you will find a pit toilet and trash. No water. Bare bones is that is what you are looking for."

Site conditions vary seasonally: The best tent camping near Mansfield, Louisiana often depends on recent weather patterns. Heavy rainfall can significantly impact site usability, particularly in low-lying areas near water features. A camper noted these challenges but embraced them: "Nothing irks me more than reviews of various parks and campgrounds getting docked stars because nature is outside!"

Campground status changes: Always verify current operations before planning trips to specific campgrounds. Turtle Slide Campground demonstrates this need: "It's in a really pretty location but it's overgrown and has obviously been closed for a while. I bet it was nice when it was open."

Tips for camping with families

Plan for limited facilities: When tent camping with children near Mansfield, prepare for truly primitive conditions. Vault toilets may be available at parking areas but often require significant walks from actual camping zones. Pack portable toilet solutions for younger children who cannot wait for longer walks.

Bring entertainment: Forest settings provide natural play opportunities but packing additional activities helps during downtime. A visitor to Decker Hill Park noted that simple activities like bike riding on forest roads provided hours of entertainment for children in their group.

Weather preparation: Louisiana's climate creates rapidly changing conditions. Pack extra tarps, rain gear, and changes of clothing, particularly during spring and fall seasons when afternoon thunderstorms commonly occur. This preparation ensures families can remain comfortable regardless of weather patterns.

Tips from RVers

Access limitations: Many primitive camping areas near Mansfield have challenging access roads that limit RV suitability. Roads to Red Bluff Camp and similar locations feature unpaved surfaces that become particularly difficult after rainfall, potentially stranding larger vehicles.

Limited hookups: Even at sites that accommodate smaller RVs, expect no hookups or services. Campers should arrive with full water tanks, empty waste tanks, and sufficient battery or solar power for their anticipated stay duration at primitive sites like Louisiana Red Bluff.

Smaller units preferred: Class B campervans and small trailers navigate forest roads more successfully than larger units. The dirt roads leading to primitive camping areas often have low-hanging branches and tight turns that make maneuvering difficult for standard-sized RVs and impossible for larger rigs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mansfield, LA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mansfield, LA is Camp Quapaw with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Mansfield, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.