Best Dispersed Camping near Mora, LA
The Kisatchie National Forest provides several dispersed camping options within driving distance of Mora, Louisiana. Forest Road 380 features multiple primitive camping areas with spacious sites suitable for small groups. The Wild Azalea Trail near Valentine Lake permits primitive camping at least 30 feet from the trail centerline. Additional options include Highway 472 Camp and Hunter's Camp, both designated hunter camps in the Catahoula district of Kisatchie National Forest, where free dispersed camping is permitted in primarily pine settings.
Many forest roads in this region require cautious navigation, especially during wet conditions. Forest Road 380 has rutted access roads but remains passable for most vehicles. Camping is permitted for up to 30 days in some areas. Most sites lack basic amenities—no bathrooms, no trash collection, and no hookups. A natural spring piped for easy access runs alongside Forest Road 380, providing a freshwater source, though filtering is recommended. Cell service is extremely limited or nonexistent in many areas, particularly around Forest Road 380. According to one visitor, "There is ZERO cell service. We might have been able to set our phones down and get ONE bar, but as soon as you pick it up it's gone."
These primitive camping areas feature predominantly pine forests with occasional clearings suitable for tents and smaller RVs. Some locations, like the Wild Azalea Trail, offer hiking opportunities with streams for water filtering, though terrain includes significant elevation changes. The Highway 472 Camp is split by the highway but still feels relatively secluded with vault toilets available on both sides. Visitors note the peaceful atmosphere despite proximity to roads. A camper described Hunter's Camp as "a quiet spot in the Pine Trees" with "open sky and yellow pines that create random shade." Wildlife sightings are common, including alligators in the Valentine Lake area, making swimming inadvisable but offering good fishing opportunities.
