Best Tent Camping near Marksville, LA

Public lands surrounding Marksville, Louisiana offer several tent camping options within an hour's drive. Indian Creek Recreation Area in Woodworth provides dedicated primitive tent camping areas separated from the main campground, with 200 acres set aside specifically for tent campers. Stuart Complex in Pollock features eight spacious tent sites with dedicated tent pads and lantern poles. For those seeking more remote experiences, Tunica Hills Campground offers walk-in tent sites that require a half-mile hike to access, while Tunica Hills WMA Campground provides primitive tent-only camping in an open field setting.

Most tent campsites in the Marksville region feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Indian Creek's primitive tent sites include clean pit toilets with potable water spigots nearby, though campsites themselves lack improvements like fire rings or tables. Stuart Complex provides more developed tent pads with fire rings and picnic tables under pine tree cover. At Richard K. Yancy Sand Levee Campground, tent campers encounter truly primitive conditions with no marked sites and limited facilities. Wildlife Management Area campgrounds require familiarity with specific regulations before camping. A 14-day stay limit applies at most locations, and campers should be prepared for encounters with wildlife including raccoons, snakes, and occasionally black bears.

Tent camping experiences vary significantly across these locations. According to reviews, Indian Creek's primitive areas offer "privacy and separation between campsites" with "beautiful views of the lake from almost all primitive sites." The cleanliness of these areas receives consistent praise. Stuart Complex provides what one camper called "a perfect summer weekend retreat" with pine trees offering ample shade. Tunica Hills Campground, while requiring more effort to access, rewards tent campers with unique terrain that one visitor noted "doesn't look like anywhere else in Louisiana." Weekday visits generally offer more solitude, while weekends see higher occupancy rates, particularly at Indian Creek where primitive sites remain available even when the main campground fills.

Best Tent Sites Near Marksville, Louisiana (10)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Marksville, LA

165 Reviews of 10 Marksville Campgrounds


  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2021

    Valentine Lake Northshore Campground

    Peace & Beauty

    Fee: $10.00 cash or check 

    Sites: 15   6 located right along the lake 

    No electric 

    FCFS 

    Camp host, pit toilet, trash, potable water, picnic table, lantern pole, fire ring Tent campers, small RV's or trailer. Hard pavement pads but they are narrow and crumbling on the edges. Site is well maintained. Beautiful water sites. Valentine Lake is a 46 acre lake surrounded by pine and hard woods. Motorized boats are not allowed. The lake is serene as is the campground. 

    LNT

    AIS 

    BTYFI 

    Travel safe

  • Jeff S.
    Feb. 18, 2020

    Indian Creek Recreation Area

    Beautiful, Peaceful

    This is where we go car camping in their primitive section. There are many, many car camping campsites on the lake/reservoir! There are a few pit toilets that are clean and there is a potable water spigot at each of the pit toilet locations. The campsites are basic tenting areas with no improvements such as fire rings, tables, trash barrels, tent platforms, etc. There is some privacy and separation between campsites! This is where we go when limited time is available. We bring everything we need with us. There is limited supplies in the village of woodworth, La.

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2018

    Loran Site Complex

    Trailheads and nature

    This site is PERFECT for hiking or biking the multiuse trails. Inside the Kisatchie National Forest, Evangeline District. Well defined, marked sites with firepit, picnic table, lantern ring, but NO WATER. there are vault toilets available, but NO WATER. Also, be sure to check out Camp Claiborne while here. The sites are well shaded, even, spacious, and far enough away from your neighbors that you have the sense of privacy.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2021

    Indian Creek Recreation Area

    Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

    Dates: Mar 1- Oct 31(after contact campground)

     Fees: $24.00-$56.00 $16.00 Primitive $100.00 Pavilion $30.00 

    Boat rental(kayak and canoe) $7.00 Day use fee 

    RESERVATIONS ONLY 

    Sites: 104 water and electric 

    WIFFI: FREE 

    Limit: 14 days 

    Three swim beaches, ice machine on property, primitive camping area is set apart from RV area, no generators allowed from 10 pm to 7 am Indian Creek is a 2500 acre lake, 100 acres is developed campground with 200 acres for the primitive camping. There is a playground, laundry, showers, fish cleaning station, picnic tables, fire ring, concrete pads. There are beautiful mature trees and well maintained lawns. In the park you will notice two white painted bands around some trees. That shows which trees are home to the red-cockaded woodpecker LNT 

    AIS 

    Travel safe

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Stuart Complex

    Fishing, hiking, swimming and shade

    see Stuart Lake Recreation area and campground

    Perfect campground. This little campground has 8 spacious sites with picnic table, tent pad, fire ring, and lantern pole. Beautiful pine trees provide shade and a beauty like none other. There is a trail from the campground to the swimming and fishing pond at the day use area and beyond. Perfect summer weekend retreat. Beautiful forest, clean campground and quiet.

    Within the Stuart Lake Recreation Complex there are lots of activities including fishing, swimming, hiking, and picnicking. Located on a 5-acre lake in a pine forest. There is camping, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, bicycling, and nature study. The day use facility includes flush toilets, a fishing pier, shore fishing, a swimming beach, picnic tables and barbeque pits. The group use facility is located up the hill from the day use area and the swimming beach. It has a covered picnic shelter, a large party barbeque pit, trash bins, restrooms, and access to day use facilities including the lake. Group use area facilities include: restrooms, gravel parking, extra large barbeque pit, trash bins, large covered picnic shelter, and access to the day use facilities and lake. The Stuart Nature Trail and the Glenn Emery hiking and biking trail both be accessed here.

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Stuart Lake Recreation Complex, Camping/Day Use

    Fishing, swimming, trails and shade

    Perfect campground. This little campground has 8 spacious sites with picnic table, tent pad, fire ring, and lantern pole. Beautiful pine trees provide shade and a beauty like none other. There is a trail from the campground to the swimming and fishing pond at the day use area and beyond. Perfect summer weekend retreat. Beautiful forest, clean campground and quiet.

    Within the Stuart Lake Recreation Complex there are lots of activities including fishing, swimming, hiking, and picnicking. Located on a 5-acre lake in a pine forest. There is camping, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, bicycling, and nature study. The day use facility includes flush toilets, a fishing pier, shore fishing, a swimming beach, picnic tables and barbeque pits. The group use facility is located up the hill from the day use area and the swimming beach. It has a covered picnic shelter, a large party barbeque pit, trash bins, restrooms, and access to day use facilities including the lake. Group use area facilities include: restrooms, gravel parking, extra large barbeque pit, trash bins, large covered picnic shelter, and access to the day use facilities and lake. The Stuart Nature Trail and the Glenn Emery hiking and biking trail both be accessed here.

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2018

    Kisatchie National Forest Loran/Claiborne Trailhead Camp

    Biking, hiking, horsing

    **see Loran Complex campground **

    This day use site is connected to the campground. There is no camping at the day use area. There are 4 multiuse trails that lead out of this area. There are vault toilets and trash recepticles but NO WATER! Huge parking area and also shaded grills and picnic tables.

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2018

    Valentine Lake Northshore Campground

    Peace and quiet

    Inside the Kisatchie National Forest, Evangeline District lies this peaceful little oasis. Water, flush toilets, seclusion, lake, and fishing. This was an amazing spot to stay for a few nights. The sites are either on the lake or not, no reservations, picnic table, fire ring, lantern pole and shade. The only complaint I have with this campground is that you can not put your tent on the grass. Make sure you have padding.

  • Bruce L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2024

    Valentine Lake Northshore Campground

    Valentine Lake Northshore campgrounds

    Well maintained grounds with flush toilet (no shower) drinking water tap near but not at the camp sites, fire ring and picnic tables at each site. Small (about 16 sites) and quiet. Nice small lake, walking trail around the lake and very close to the Wild Azalia 26-mile hiking trail.


Guide to Marksville

Tent camping near Marksville, Louisiana offers outdoor experiences within the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain and Gulf Coastal Plain regions, where elevations range from 40 to 200 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winters remain mild. The region's soil transitions from sandy loams in upland areas to clay-heavy soils in lowlands, affecting drainage at campsites during the frequent rainfall that averages 60 inches annually.

What to do

Paddling excursions on local waterways: Indian Creek Recreation Area offers multiple water access points for canoes and kayaks, with one camper noting, "We were able to launch our kayaks from our RV site." The lake provides flat-water paddling suitable for beginners.

Hiking through unique Louisiana terrain: Tunica Hills Campground features nearby trails showcasing rare Louisiana geography. A camper remarked, "The terrain is amazing couldn't believe I was actually in Louisiana." Clark's Creek, located 8 miles from camp in Mississippi, offers additional day hiking options.

Wildlife observation: Richard K. Yancy Campgrounds provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. One visitor encountered "racoons, possums and armadillos" during their stay. The area's Wildlife Management Area status means protected habitat for numerous species.

Swimming in designated areas: Stuart Lake Recreation Complex maintains a swimming beach that provides relief from summer heat. A camper described it as having "fishing, swimming, hiking, and picnicking. Located on a 5-acre lake in a pine forest."

What campers like

Quiet weekday camping: Most Marksville-area campgrounds experience significantly lower usage Monday through Thursday. At Indian Creek, one camper reported, "We went during the week, so it was quiet." This timing strategy helps secure preferred sites.

Primitive camping privacy: Richard K. Yancy Sand Levee Campground offers truly remote tent camping experiences. A visitor noted, "We slept great here in our tent... no one around." This campground appeals to those seeking solitude.

Natural surroundings: Tunica Hills WMA Campground provides a different camping environment than typical Louisiana landscapes. One camper observed, "This campground is in a Louisiana Wildlife Management Area in Tunica Hills...Basically an open field."

Clean facilities: Despite primitive settings, many campgrounds maintain good cleanliness standards. At Tunica Hills Campground, "The campground is well taken care of. The owner rides her cart through the campsite several times a day to deliver firewood as needed."

What you should know

Wildlife encounters: Bears appear at certain campgrounds within the region. At Richard K Yancy Yakey Rd Campground, campers are warned, "Beware of Bears. Do not take this lightly. There are curious black bears in the area as well as snakes and deer." Proper food storage is essential.

Limited facilities: Many tent camping options near Marksville offer minimal amenities. One camper at Richard K. Yancy Sand Levee noted specifics: "lots of trash left around the area... no water for drinking unless you can dip and filter from the creek nearby."

Mosquito prevalence: The region's humidity supports large mosquito populations. A camper reported, "the mosquitoes here were insane!" Repellent is considered essential equipment year-round, with peak activity occurring May through October.

Supply limitations: Remote camping locations require complete self-sufficiency. A Tunica Hills Campground visitor advised, "make sure you bring all your supplies you think you might need because there isn't any store for miles."

Tips for camping with families

Supervised play areas: Valentine Lake South Shore offers waterfront sites that appeal to families. A camper noted, "Great water front sites at $10 a night is not bad!!! The bathouse is real nice... But the canoeing is wonderful there."

Activity planning: Campsites with diverse recreation options keep children engaged. At Stuart Complex, one visitor described it as having "fishing, hiking, bicycling, and nature study. The day use facility includes flush toilets, a fishing pier, shore fishing, a swimming beach, picnic tables and barbeque pits."

Timing considerations: Family camping experiences vary drastically between weekdays and weekends. A Valentine Lake camper advised, "Very peaceful & quiet during the week but gets a little noisy on the weekends & holidays."

Safety awareness: Tunica Hills Campground requires special attention with children. A visitor observed, "There are areas for the kids to play in the woods some of the areas are steep and they needed supervision (5&6 year old)."

Tips from RVers

Site selection for trailers: Indian Creek Recreation Area requires careful site selection for larger rigs. One RVer noted, "We have a 21' travel trailer and barely fit it and our Toyota Tundra in site 52. The lake was visible when standing inside the camper but not from our chairs by the fire."

Water access planning: Most primitive camping areas near Marksville lack hookups. RVers should fill tanks before arrival, as one camper at Indian Creek noted, "No sewer hookup, but has 2 dump stations."

Limited big rig options: Most campgrounds in the region cannot accommodate large RVs. Stuart Complex offers eight developed sites with "picnic table, tent pad, fire ring, and lantern pole" but space constraints limit larger vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Marksville, LA is Indian Creek Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 25 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Marksville, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.