Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Natchitoches? Finding a place to camp in Louisiana with your tent has never been easier. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Natchitoches campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Visitors to Coyote Camp can enjoy an out-of-the-way camping area within the National Red Dirt Wildlife Management Preserve. Although this camp is a designated hunter's camp, it can be utilized year around by general forest visitors. Very primitive site with limited facilities. There is OHV access to the Sandstone Trail.
The campground and day-use area are temporarily closed for construction to stabilize the banks of the Bayou.
Visitors to the Kisatchie Bayou Recreation Complex can enjoy scenic views of the rocky bayou surrounded by beautiful old growth hardwood and pine which gives this out-of-the-way recreation area such a wonderful setting for visitors. Hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, and just relaxing are all popular activities enjoyed here.
Kisatchie Bayou Campground is a primitive walk-in camping atmosphere with 17 walk-in sites and 1 drive-in site at the middle parking area. Tent pads, barbeque pits, and lantern posts are at each campsite. Trash receptacles and restrooms are available, but visitors should be aware that there is NO WATER AVAILABLE at this campground. This complex is a designated fee area.
At the Day Use Area, there are vault restroom facilities, trash receptacles, picnic tables and fire rings. There are access steps to the bank of the bayou which allows canoe users to unload from the lower parking lot to the waters edge. Fishing is a very popular activity at Kisatchie Bayou with the possibility of hooking a bass, perch, sunfish, or catfish.
$2 / night
Visitors to Red Bluff Camp can expect a primitive camp inside the National Red Dirt Wildlife Management Preserve. This camping area is a walk-in tent type camping facility which users must hike in 1/4 mile from the parking area to get to the Kisatchie Bayou shore. General camping, no water available, vault toilets, and trash receptacles.
The Saddle Bayou Camp is a very primitive camping experience in a bottomland hardwood setting. Nearby National Catahoula Wildlife Management Preserve make the Saddle Bayou a popular camping area during hunting season.
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 Pearson Camp is a very primitive camping experience which has been designated a Hunter's Camp. Located on U.S. Hwy 167, the easy access to the camp and to the National Catahoula Wildlife Management Preserve make the Pearson Camp a very popular camp during hunting season.
$5 / night
The Hunter Camp is a very primitive camping area in the middle of the forest. There is a camping loop area and a vault restroom facility and is centrally located near the Ouiska Chitto Trail. The Longleaf Scenic Area is also nearby with the Big Branch Trail running right next to the camp.
Guide
The view was great. We were tent camping and were told spot 11 and 10 would be the best for tent camping. This was not the best spots the roads also need a lot of attention they were very rough.
Guide
Me and a few fellas went here fir a weekend trip tent camping it has water and a restroom but no shower or electricity. This was a GREAT weekend guys trip
Legend
Indian Mounds Campground is located in East Texas near the Texas-Louisiana border in the Sabine National Forest. It is a quiet and peaceful location to camp.
RV and tent campsites come with a fire ring, a picnic table, and potable water. Good views of the lake and situated in forest area. Nearby hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing. Not many campers in campground and that made for a great stay!
Guide
My wife and I stayed one night, it was very nice and peaceful. We found it very easy, and was definitely in the woods. We were the only people there, it was a Sunday and we were disperse tent camping. Once it got dark, a few vehicles passed thru but did not stop. The wooden area was very shady too! We really enjoyed it!
Legend
Fee: $2.00 day use $2.00 per vehicle
17 primitive walk in tent sites with the sites running along side the beautiful Kisatchie Bayou. There is one drive in that is located in the parking lot. The bayou looks more like a creek in Arkansas than a Louisiana bayou. Don't think you will find a gator in that bayou. The hardwood and pine forest has lain down a beautiful carpet under your feet with very little noise when you walk. NO WATER. Nice parking area and great hiking. There are a lot of picnic tables and grills close to the parking lots for day use. Pit toilet, grill, picnic table, fire ring, lantern pole. The area is very beautiful and the peace is amazing especially along side the bayou. Road in is in very good shape.
LNT
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LegendFee: $4.00 camping per night
$2.00 day use fee
Limit: 14 days
28 days on selected sites
Sites: 37 RV or tent sites but some are closed along with 2 bathrooms
due to tornado damage
Set in the rolling hills of east Texas you will find trash service, water, portapots instead of bathrooms. Hunting season saw several sites were taken. Toledo Bend Reservoir is on the Sabine River and has an area of 185,000 acres. It is the largest man made body of water partially in Louisiana and Texas and the largest in the south. The fifth largest by surface in the United States. Deepest is at 110 feet and they do have alligators. There are stumps and other under water obstructions so be careful while in the water.
Buffalo Hide loop was the best camping loop with views of the water but there were no water sites.
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Scout
I was looking for a Louisiana location for an extended stay, I wanted to find a riverside, quiet location with large sites. A place where there was room for my travel trailer, boat, and truck. I found that and much more at Jones' Riverside Marina & RV Park.
It is in the country but not that far from the charming city of Natchitoches. The staff members are always friendly and helpful. There is a well-stocked store along with a carry-out restaurant (sit down part is closed due to covid-19). They have a free boat ramp and docks (very handy for me). The fishing is always good from the bank or a boat. My travel trailer is small but this facility is big rig friendly. I like the laid-back atmosphere and southern hospitality that is present here. This is not a huge, fancy, "resort", but those are not for me. I don't care for the crowds, noise, price, and many restrictions of those places. This RV Park emulates the real Louisiana!
Ranger
Stayed here for the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. The park is small, but it was clean. Roads are gravel with some potholes. Its by La Hwy 1 which creates some highway noise when sitting outside, but didnt bother me inside the RV.
Stayed in site#7. Utility poles are not well done. There were three 30A receptacles on my pole. Two of the three had polarity reversed. There were no breakers on the pole to shutoff the power. Power, water, and sewer worked. There was a large grassy area with plenty of shade to sit by the lake which was great. Its the closest campground to downtown Natchitoches that I could find. Served my needs well enough.
The Mariner restaurant was nearby(walkable) and had pretty good food. Id stay here again because of the lake view and proximity to town. We camped at Nakatosh Campground#2 in a Travel Trailer.
Guide
We stayed at this campground in December 2021. It was close enough to enjoy the light festival in natchitoches. Fairly quieter campground. While we were there, the bath house could have used some love. The drains weren’t draining and it was pretty dirty.
Enjoyed having a water front site to fish and enjoy views of the river.
Ranger
Nice state park on western boundary of Louisiana along Toledo Bend Reservoir. Camping here is usually quite nice from late Oct through late April. Only (5) undeveloped campsites are available for tents/hammocks only. They have a great view looking out over the huge lake. Each has a picnic table and a fire ring w/ steel grill rack. On weekends you must reserve campsites/cabins for a minimum of two nights when doing online reservations. There is a large number of improved campsites that have water and electrical hook-ups, and quite a few cabins that can be rented, some of which also have a nice view of the lake. Bathhouse was fairly clean whenever I have been there, and has showers, sinks, and flush toilets. I would have given this park's camping area a 5-star rating, but there was no hot water left to take a nice warm shower during my last visit. Toledo Bend Reservoir is the #1 bass fishing lake in America 2 years in a row. Clean water and a few sandy beaches along the two small nearby islands are great for hanging out on when canoeing/kayaking/ boating. Bald Eagles are often seen during late Fall, Winter months, and early Spring. Please note that the raccoons are professional thieves at this state park, so you need to put your food away at night.
ScoutCamp next to this beautiful sounding creek, there is a beach to lay out on while the kids play in the water or you can hit the Caroline dorman trail on foot or horseback. Excellent site. My personal favorite in Louisiana
Legend
Privately owned Campground in the heart of Louisiana. Slightly hilly with beautiful mature trees, some which have several bird feeders attached! Wildlife galore.Site 19 was quite unlevel, but nothing a few leveling blocks couldn't handle. Picnic table and fire pit, along with a gorgeous view of Cotile Lake. Bath house is sqeeky clean. Laundry available on site. The owners are sweet and very accommodating!!
Scout
Primitive camping along the 10mi Backbone trail. Took out the hammock and camped out around the halfway mark along the trail. You can set up shop around an old fire pit or make one of your own. I chose the latter. The backbone trail has to be the prettiest trail in the state of Louisiana. It's really the only place in the state to experience actual hills. It reached 23 degrees at night which was one of the coldest temperatures recorded in the state this year. A must do!
GuideThis campground is located on the Cotile lake in Boyce, Louisiana. And it's only about 8 or 10 minutes from I-49, but well worth the time. There is a small boat launch/fishing area. A couple of the guests are long term, but it is very quiet here. No matter what site you are in, you will need to level your rv. We are in site #17 and it overlooks the lake. Owners are fantastic. Highly recommend.
TravelerThis campground has plenty of tent spots to choose from. Whether you want to be close by other campers, or farther away, they have a spot for you. The creek is great both night and day. If its warm enough, you can swim! Has one vault toilet and features the Caroline Dorman trail... but sometimes this campground does get crowded.
RangerThis is a nice spot with a reasonable level of development. Campsites have trash and toilet, and leveled out spaces to put a vehicle or tent. Many have installed benches and tables too. Very peaceful and right on the water.
Legend
This RV campground allows tents (at RV prices). The sites are big with full hookups. There is a nice playground for the kids as well as a nice shower house. The park has lots of picnic areas (34) set up under shade trees. Some sites have tent pads, but not all. They all have picnic tables and fire pits. It is a nice friendly campground with lots of boats and fisherman. You can make reservations or first come first serve. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
The park has a nice free day use boat launch as well as a floating dock with a fish cleaning station. The park is very clean and does not smell fishy. Really nice place, but at $32 a night, it was a little steep for me.
There is a security gate for after hours access. Comfort stations at boat launch and camping area. There is a wash house with washer, dryer and showers (heated and cooled). There are 2 picnic shelters with 6 picnic tables in each.
Legend
Inside the Kisatchie National Forest, Calcasieu District, Vernon Unit. 2 loops of dispersed camping, grounds not well kept, vault toilet. There is no water and signs say pack in and pack out but there was a trash bin. Very basic place to pitch a tent and explore the area around.
Scout
The sign designating Saddle Bayou Campground fell into the ditch in early 2019. As of August 2019 it is still down, so if you are trying to find this campground for the first time, please note that there is no sign visible. Otherwise it is a nice primitive campground, no running water but dump toilets are available. No designated camp sites, just find a good spot and pitch your tent.
Scout
Mid Lake Campground in Milam, Texas, is a great spot for outdoor lovers. With 33 campsites, lake views, and clean facilities, it’s ideal for tent campers and RVs. Visitors love the fishing pier, swimming platform, and the convenience store stocked with essentials. The peaceful atmosphere and campfire-friendly sites make it a relaxing retreat, perfect for a weekend or longer stay.
TravelerThis camp ground is well kept. There is a nice beach and really nice fishing pears and dock. There is a large open pavilion to rent as well as an enclosed group building. Cabins and duplex housing are also an option. I prefer the pull through full hook up section but there are plenty of tent and RV sites with water and electricity. There are some short trails and an amphitheater is located near the bath house. I try to camp there once a year.
LegendInside 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.
GuideStayed at site 12 in a tent. Had electricity and water, weather a comfort station nearby. Great paddling and boating on the lake. Fished a little out of a kayak, but it was a little tough to stay in position to fish. Caught a few small bream. Hiked the short nature trail and got a good lakeside view of the dam.
The spillway side of the dam is great for recreation and makes for a good day trip activity.
LegendFee: $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
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Ranger
This is a nice, relatively secluded campsite on the Sabine River / Toledo Bend Reservoir area. Access is easy as it is a mix of hard packed gravel and paved roads, with designated parking for each campsite. Sites are well designed with grills, fire pits, and ample flat space for tents. The bugs were intense but that's what you get in East Texas in the summer, but overall it's a good spot. They are currently making improvements to the area so there is some construction and some closed sites, but we visited on the weekend and no one was working.
Legend
This campground is AWESOME. Fishing, hiking, biking (road and off road trails), swimming (beach), playground (loop B), boating, secluded.
I took 2 of my boys (8,6), sister, and her boy (10). We stayed in loop A and there were only a few people there. Lots of things to keep us busy and peaceful enough to just relax. This campground is in the Kisatchie National Forrest. Will definitely be back with the whole family. Tent or RV camping. The hiking trails are gorgeous, the beach area is pristine with lots of shade and picnic areas. Nice boat launch area. Great fishing too.
Ranger
I have gone camping at Lakeview Campground in August for four years now.
Each time, we are there for a week and hike the Trail Between the Lakes, which starts right at the campground.
The campground itself has two water spigots and port-o-potties, which are cleaned fairly regularly.
There is a boat lunch, but it has fallen into disrepair.
The sites themselves are nice. They have picnic tables, fire rings, and posts to hang things. They are somewhat close to each other.
It is cheap to stay there (3$ a night per site). The view of Louisiana is nice and the sunrises are beautiful.
People often come down to the campsite to fish or spend the day in the water. A ranger once told us there have been issues with people using drugs, but we never had an issue with that in the past.
Over all, a nice place to get away from things.
Natchitoches, Louisiana, offers a variety of tent camping options nestled in the scenic Kisatchie National Forest, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Natchitoches, LA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Natchitoches, LA is Coyote Camp with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Natchitoches, LA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Natchitoches, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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