Searching for a tent campsite near Marksville? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Marksville campgrounds for you and your tent. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Marksville, Louisiana's most popular destinations.
Within the Alexander State Forest lies the Indian Creek Recreation Area located between I-49 and US Hwy 165 in central Rapides Parish. This sprawling area encompasses 100 acres of developed recreation facilities, 250 acres of primitive camping area, and the 2,250 acre Indian Creek Lake. The recreation area contains over 100 campsites with water and electricity. Other amenities include 3 beach areas, 5 bathrooms across the main park, laundry facilities, playground equipment, handicap parking, boat launch, wi-fi (in RV area) and a covered pavilion for rental. There are trails available for scouting out the various plant and tree species and abundant wildlife. This area is also home to the red-cockaded woodpecker. Trees marked with white paint indicate the homes of the endangered woodpecker.
$16 / night
$20 - $110 / night
Camping: LDWF maintains five primitive camping areas on Richard K. Yancey WMA. There are all-weather access roads as well as a source of potable water at the Shell Road camping area. Richard K. Yancey WMA lies between the Mississippi and Red rivers, beginning north of Lower Old River. The WMA’s terrain is typically flat to depressed; the only significant changes in relief are elevated roads, levees, and a large manmade sand ridge. Numerous small lakes and bayous are formed by the area’s relatively poor drainage pattern. A large portion of the land is subject to annual spring flooding by the Red and Mississippi rivers. Timber on the property consists of mixed bottomland hardwoods. The primary overstory species are bitter and sweet pecan, overcup and nuttall oak, bald cypress, honey locust, hackberry, sycamore, and green ash. There are almost pure stands of cottonwood and willow along the manmade sand ridge. LDWF has planted approximately 265,000 hardwood seedlings on about 800 acres of former agricultural lands and annually maintains abandoned oil well sites and rights-of-way as wildlife openings.
$5 / night
There is a tent-only, primitive camping area off of Parker Road on the South Tract.
Tunica Hills WMA is composed of two separate tracts. The North Tract (2,346 acres) is immediately adjacent to the Louisiana State Penitentiary. The South Tract (4,156 acres) is off Old Tunica Road, which is part of the scenic Natchez Trace System and has been used for travel since colonial times.
The WMA’s terrain is characterized by rugged hills, bluffs, and ravines. The area lies at the southern end of the “loess blufflands” escarpment that follows the east bank of the Mississippi River south from its confluence with the Ohio River. These blufflands offer a diverse and unique habitat that supports some species of plants and animals not found elsewhere in Louisiana.
The forest on the area is classified as upland hardwood, with some loblolly pine and eastern red cedar mixed in on the ridge tops and creek terraces. Hardwoods include American beech; American holly; flowering magnolia; cherrybark, water, and cow oak; hickory; sweetgum; Osage orange; hackberry; eastern hophornbeam; ironwood; yellow poplar; elm; and maple. The understory varies from dense in younger areas of timber to fairly open in older areas. Common understory species are oak leaf hydrangea, two-winged silverbell, trifoliate orange, pawpaw, flowering dogwood, sweetleaf, spicebush, blackberry, and switchcane. At least 20 species of plants classified as rare in Louisiana are found on this area; two of these species have not been found anywhere else in the state.
$7 / night
Camping: LDWF maintains five primitive camping areas on Richard K. Yancey WMA. There are all-weather access roads as well as a source of potable water at the Shell Road camping area.
Richard K. Yancey WMA lies between the Mississippi and Red rivers, beginning north of Lower Old River. The WMA’s terrain is typically flat to depressed; the only significant changes in relief are elevated roads, levees, and a large manmade sand ridge. Numerous small lakes and bayous are formed by the area’s relatively poor drainage pattern. A large portion of the land is subject to annual spring flooding by the Red and Mississippi rivers.
Timber on the property consists of mixed bottomland hardwoods. The primary overstory species are bitter and sweet pecan, overcup and nuttall oak, bald cypress, honey locust, hackberry, sycamore, and green ash. There are almost pure stands of cottonwood and willow along the manmade sand ridge.
LDWF has planted approximately 265,000 hardwood seedlings on about 800 acres of former agricultural lands and annually maintains abandoned oil well sites and rights-of-way as wildlife openings.
There is an assortment of recreational opportunities within the Stuart Lake Recreation Complex including fishing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, and much more. Situated on a beautiful 5-acre lake surrounded by pine-hardwood forest, this area provides outdoor recreational opportunities for camping, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, bicycling, and nature study. The day use facility includes flush toilets, paved parking, 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 is equipped with a covered picnic shelter, a large party barbeque pit, trash bins, restrooms, and access to day use facilities including the lake. Group use area facilites 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. The Stuart Lake Campground is a primitive campground with 8 sites that was renovated in 2009. General facilities also include drinking water, restrooms, and an open-air amphitheater. Trash disposal available.
$5 - $20 / night
The Bankston Camp is a very primitive camping experience northeast of the town of Williana, Louisiana. This camp is located just outside the borders of the Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve.
Traveler
This is a quiet park right on the Red River. Sunsets are amazing over the river. The facilities are well maintained and clean. The sites are spaced nicely and tucked into the trees. All spots are full hookup and 50 amp service. The water pressure is a little low, but sufficient. The only drawback is there is a large warehouse next door that is very well lit all night
Guide
Very clean well maintained camp sites and cabins. Fishing, canoeing and hiking trails are available as well as splash pad for the kids. I’ve been going here all my life and even though a live a couple states away now. It’s my go to place to stay when I return. There is showers available as well. Grocery store 6 miles where you can purchase wood as well.
Scout
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
We stopped at this campground for one night on our way home. Some of the sites are close together, but we called and they put us in a spot that was very spacious. There were almost no other campers there so it helps to go in the middle of the week. The staff was very friendly and they had a great hiking path and playground for our 5 year old. I biked most of the paved roads in the state park and was able to go 13 miles without doubling anywhere. The cabins looked great from the outside and are located right on the lake. There is a long fishing pier and boat rentals. This is definitely one we will return to. Also, it is located very close to a lot of antique shopping which my wife wouldn’t let me pass up on my way home.
Scout
All is true the park describes. Friendly staff, good and clean facilties, much todo around. And more, Natchez downton has a large and free parking, so you can easily do the short drive for the visit.
Scout
Great place. I think the best time to visit is in the spring. I highly recommend it. There was also an excellent cinema and casino in the area, which I really enjoyed. Although I prefer betting more because it’s more predictable, and not everything depends solely on luck. By the way, bookies not on gamstop offer very good odds and a wide variety of sports events for betting. I recommend trying them out if you enjoy this as well. As for this place, we plan to visit it again with friends next year because we liked it so much.
TravelerMostly pull through full hookup sites. Nice grass inbetween sites, lots of shade trees, but not all spots shady, concrete pads (not sure if all are but most), gravel on roads, trash pickup at site, lots of grassy areas for walking dogs, some tent sites. Very attentive and friendly staff. We would definitely stay here again, had spot 111 at the end with a great view of the mighty Mississippi River. Accepts Good Sam discount.
Traveler
The mosquitoes were horrible. We left the doors open to our car to move our stuff to go to sleep and there were about 20 mosquitoes in our car as we were ready to go to bed. It was a nice spot but definitely don’t leave car doors open or bring some bug
TravelerN8ce quiet and clean place to stay with family
GuideWe were there November 5th and basically had the whole campground to ourselves. (there were probably 6 other campers scattered around the park). Our site was huge and even if there were other campers we would not have been able to see them.
Not the easiest park to get to but well worth it. At dusk the mosquitoes came out but what do you expect staying in a Louisiana bayou?? Had decent cell coverage w/ T-mobile (3 bars). Have some great trails throughout the park (mainly at the north campground)
LegendThis is a very nice RV Park. It’s big. Almost 150 sites, with water, sewer and 30/50 amp electric. There are also a few tent sites with electricity. It’s well kept-grass is mowed, grounds and facilities are clean. There is a playground, a dog park, pool and hot tub. Showers and bathrooms are nice. Laundry room, small grocery/gift shop. And a guest lounge. There is a paved walking trail along the river. There is also a public boat ramp about 1/4 mile away for access to the Mississippi. Internet was sport. With this many Class A motorhomes and people streaming media the server can’t keep up.
RangerReally nice campground, surprisingly crowded on a nice weekend in February! Had a family next to us whose kids were antagonizing our dogs with no intervention from the adults which was really frustrating. But would be lovely on a quieter weekend.
Guide
Ms. Brenda is the best! This campground has all the amenities! Hot water is tricky but the coffee pot makes up for it. There’s a microwave as well. Most of all the sites are separated by the ravines. We hiked down to the creek from the site and also went on trail C at tunica. I wouldn’t recommend trail c if you have small kids unless you wear them in a pack. Brenda has wood you can purchase if you forgot or run out. We were right next to the bathroom, sink, and shower.
TravelerAbout three miles on well maintained gravel. Nice area, although fairly remote. Clean. Well maintained. There were 3 others camping when we got there. A couple of folks were shooting their rifles at the gun range for a while. Fishermen came and went at the boat ramp. Quieted down at sunset. Swarms of mosquitoes on March 2, 2024. I wouldn’t plan to cook outside. We found (well) water available at the ranger/mangers station to refill our trailer. Plus it’s free!
ScoutWe thought on the way here, we might not be able to get in but had the place to ourselves, which was great, apparently there's another campsite farther on so the parks staff told us, but we stayed here. Only complaint 'man those bugs be bugs', bring bug spray, thermisills, and anything else you can think of to combat them, stayed end of February. Wonderful setting. Had a campfire tonight and got visited by 2 armadillos, fabulous !!
Guide
We stayed at spot 99. It was a very quiet spot tucked away on the far side of the campground. It was right off the water and had a beautiful view of the sunrise and all the birds. Pretty far away from the restroom about a.2 mile walk. Not a ton of through traffic since this was on it's own loop. Large wide spots with paved cement made it easy to park and level. Water was on the wrong side of the camp spot, so bring a longer hose. The site had fantastic Verizon cell service, 3 bars with about 100-125 mbps. Overall the campground was clean, quiet, and made for a great weekend getaway.
Travelerif you sleep in, the adjacent shooting range makes for a rough morning but honestly not bad at all. well-maintained bathroom and picnic tables
TravelerPark is well maintained. Spots are nice, especially the ones on the water. No sewer hookups. If you’re looking for a quiet spot, I would avoid the spots near the double pull-thrus. Verizon cell service is fantastic, WiFi works well.
GuideI really like this spot. It's got great scenery along the river, nice open spaces, well maintained, and there's a free shooting range including archery, pistol, and rifle areas. Decently maintained bathroom with a toilet. Icame mid December and am the only one camping. My only complaint that might bother some people would be the noise of the shooting range, but it's not that bad or frequent.
Traveler
Great water front sites at $10 a night is not bad!!! There is no power or water a sites but has community water faucets in a few areas... The bathouse is real nice... But the canoeing is wonderful there... Very peaceful & quiet during the week but gets a little noisy on the weekends & holidays... No Julios either which is a big plus!!!
RangerBeautifully kept grounds, large sites, quite area, nice boat launch, docks and fish cleaning area
Legend
I was out there on a weekday. This is a massive place with lots of history. I am not sure if I was in the right area for camping or not since things aren’t marked. I turned right before you get to the section where the headquarters were located. This place is massive with paved roads going in many different directions. I saw the other reviewers pictures and I never came across anything that looked like what they were showing. The roads were not well marked. I turned right off Hwy 165 south of Woodworth and then after passing the Camp Claiborne sign took a right by the Camp Claiborne Battalion sign. I then took another right and followed that road to the end. There was a barricade and no way to turn around so I backed all the up to the other road. Be careful here because some of the pavement had come loose and dropped into the creek. I would have stopped at the forestry office south of Alexandria but they were closed. As I was leaving and almost back to the highway, I saw truck pulling a large pontoon boat loaded down with water toys so I feel as though there may have been more to the area than what I saw. I would like to come back in the winter time and explore more on my e-bike.
GuideNice wide roads in the park so easy to access your site. Pool area is very nice. There are tables, chairs, rocking chairs and recliners for your use. There is a large shaded area if you don’t want to sit in the sun. The lawns throughout the park are very well maintained. Very level sites with shade. A very nice enclosed dog park along with many paths to walk your dog. Utilities all work well. Like most campgrounds, there are lots of cigarette butts on the ground and dog poop. I don’t understand why people can not pick up after themselves! WIFI is spotty along with the over air channels. There were many dead large limbs in the trees above our site. We had a bad rain storm and many fell onto our roof. Luckily, we had no damage.
LegendI was impressed with this place. They spared no expense in developing and maintaining this park. I was there in late March and the place was only about 25-30% full. We had ample privacy. The only thing I didn’t like was the lack of bathrooms in the park. There was only one in the office building. I like to rely on park bathrooms as much as possible. This place is designed for self-contained RV camping. I needed cash so I went into the casino and used an ATM. I was charged a$5 fee. Grrrr. You can't beat the price for a full hookup.
TravelerThe site was 55’ long, paved with a fire ring and picnic table, w+e, dump station available. Great bird watching.
TravelerExtremely easy to change reservations. Very quiet even when full. No issues at all.
TravelerLarge, well spaced sites. Very busy campground with lots of golf carts.
Tent camping near Marksville, Louisiana offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.
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 4.6-star rating from 24 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.
