Best Dispersed Camping near Pitkin, LA

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Pitkin, look no further. The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Pitkin, LA (5)

    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

    1. Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

    4 Reviews
    14 Photos
    9 Saves
    Gardner, Louisiana

    Camping is permitted adjacent to the trail, but campsites must be established at least 30 feet away from the trail center line. This is primitive camping - no amenities.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • Dispersed
    • Trash
    • No image available

      2. Hunter's Camp

      1 Review
      1 Save
      Fort Polk, Louisiana

      These primitive campsites have a vault toilet and trash receptacle

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • RVs
      • Tents
      • Dispersed
      Camper-submitted photo from Evangeline Camp Complex

      3. Evangeline Camp Complex

      2 Reviews
      1 Photo
      44 Saves
      Gardner, Louisiana

      The Evangeline Camp is located 4 miles south of Louisiana Highway 28 on Forest Road 273 (Messina Road). This road is paved until about 1/2 mile from the camp where it turns into gravel. The best camping flats are just down the hill past the vaulted restroom. There is no water at this site.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
      Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
      Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
      Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
      Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
      Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
      Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest

      4. Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest

      2 Reviews
      17 Photos
      25 Saves
      Gorum, Louisiana

      https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/kisatchie/home/?cid=fseprd952794&width=full

      Rules for Dispersed Camping: Groups of over 75 people who wish to use the forest, need to obtain a special use permit. Permits can be obtained at the nearest District Office. NOTE: Due to COVID-19, groups larger than 10 people are discouraged from congregating. There is privately owned land within the forest boundaries so be sure to not encroach on private land. You need to be self-contained. No amenities are provided, such as water, restrooms or trash cans. You may camp in a dispersed area for up to 30 days. After 30 days, you must move at least 5 road miles for camping in another dispersed area. Campers may not return to the same campsite within the calendar year. Please place your campsite at least 100 feet from any stream or other water source. Showers can be locally heavy and occasionally have been known to produce 5 to 10 inches of rain in a few hours. Such storms will cause flooding in the rivers and tributaries within the forest. These same streams will usually be dry in the late summer and early fall. Carry water or a water filtration device with you. Keep a Pack-In Pack-Out camp. Follow Leave No Trace guidelines. Contact the local Forest Service office to see if any restrictions, especially fire restrictions are in place.

      Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services (such as trash removal) and little or no facilities (such as tables and fire pits,) are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets.

      There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.

      Visitors are primarily responsible for their own safety. Keep in mind, trails and roads may be open for use, but please recreate responsibly and follow public health guidelines regarding social distancing while you recreate in National Forests. Law enforcement and search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19 issues.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Dispersed
      • Drinking Water
      • Alcohol
      • No image available

        5. Forest Road 380 Dispersed

        Be the first to review!
        2 Saves
        Gorum, Louisiana

        Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services (such as trash removal) and little or no facilities (such as tables and fire pits,) are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets.

        There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.

        Visitors are primarily responsible for their own safety. Keep in mind, trails and roads may be open for use, but please recreate responsibly and follow public health guidelines regarding social distancing while you recreate in National Forests. Law enforcement and search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19 issues. High risk activities such as rock climbing or motorized activities that increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided.

        • Fires
        • Dispersed
        • Drinking Water
        • Alcohol
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      Showing results 1-5 of 5 campgrounds

      Recent Dispersed Reviews in Pitkin

      9 Reviews of 5 Pitkin Campgrounds


      • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Hunter's Camp
        Dec. 11, 2024

        Hunter's Camp

        Quiet spot in the Pine Trees

        Nice disbursed site. Map shows a camping loop that appears to have been abandoned by the Forest Service. It had a dead hog blocking the loop. This loop is about 150 yards from the vaulted toilet and garbage receptacle.

        There is another loop adjacent to the toilet and garbage that appears to have disbursed camping spots with places where fires were made.

        The camping area is open to the sky and has yellow pines that create random shade. Great place to charge with solar panels on a sunny day.

        The only other camper is a crazy dude on the old camping loop by the dead pig.

      • P
        Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
        Nov. 27, 2024

        Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest

        Very peaceful

        The drive there was beautiful. Getting to the camp site was pretty straightforward through google Maps. You can pull ur vehicle right up your camp site. If you're into foraging, this is definitely not the place in the winter months. There is plenty of broken trees to use for fire wood. The forest is great to explore. There is a natural spring that runs on side of the road about a half mile from the campsite. It has been piped in for easy access. The temp drops quickly during the winter months so be prepared. You do not need any kind of permit to camp here.

      • Chantelle M.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
        Oct. 9, 2023

        Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

        Spent a ton of time out at Valentine lake.

        This a a cool place to spend a weekend. There is both primitive and fixed campsites.you have a couple Small trails in and around Valentine lake, or you caan hop on wild azeala trail and hike it. Its just short of 18 miles start to finish. Wouldn't recommend swimming in that lake. Lots of Gators and big snapping turtles. . Great fishing tho.. for me i enjoy middle to late October when it's cooler for sleeping in teepee hot tent..

      • Daisee Mae S.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest
        Dec. 20, 2022

        Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest

        Secluded 100% Primitive

        Let me start of by saying there is ZERO cell service. We might have been able to set our phones down and it get ONE Bar, but as soon as you pick it up it’s gone.

        The road is fine. A little hard to get through if it’s wet. The spots to stay in have very rutted roads. Pretty easy to take just about anything down it.

        There are about 5 camp areas. a few of them are group sites. Very large and spacious.

        The stay here is 30 days. No bathroom. No trash pick up. No water hook ups.

        There is however, a natural spring that is piped just as you enter FR380. Locals come here to fill water. It’s very fresh and refreshing.

        It normally is warm all year round here. But we d coded to camp in every state so far when an artic blast is moving through. So, normally in december it’s not 12 degrees for a high ANYWHERE in this state.

        It rained about 16-17 days of our stay, but we did find some amazing things. My first time finding and eating Lions Maine Mushrooms.

        Lots of trash behind some of the sites. Can definitely tell it’s a party spot. Or at least it used to be.

        All in all, this place is so secluded that no one drives out here and it’s 100% peaceful. I will definitely return to this spot.

      • Sean S.
        Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
        May. 15, 2022

        Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

        Great primitive camping!

        I hiked about 7.5 miles in from the Valentine Lake trailhead to a large clearing by the bridge with a nice cool stream. There are other clearings nearby which would be great for a small group camp. The trail itself is great and pretty well maintained. Be prepared for plenty of ups and downs and some rough terrain. There are adequate running streams to get water for filtering. From camp I went another 1.5 miles to the Evangeline primitive area parking lot (where there is a pit toilet), some beautiful views along that stretch. I would definitely do it again, but with a lighter pack and not in 90 degree weather!

      • NThe Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail
        Nov. 19, 2021

        Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

        Wild

        Open all year 

        Primitive 

        The Wild Azalea Trail is south west of Alexandria, Louisiana on the edge of the Valentine Lake Recreation Area. There is a trail head with parking on the grass, nicely mowed but if it has rained it could be muddy. Primitive camping is permitted adjacent to the trail but campsites must be at least 30 feet from the trail center line.

         Pack it in, Pack it out 

        LNT 

        BTYFI 

        NO FIRES 

        Travel safe



      Guide to Pitkin

      Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Pitkin, Louisiana, where nature awaits with serene landscapes and a chance to escape the hustle and bustle. This area offers a variety of spots for those looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

      Tips for free and dispersed camping near Pitkin, Louisiana

      • Make sure to pack out what you pack in, as many areas like Hunter's Camp emphasize Leave No Trace principles to keep the environment pristine.
      • Bring your own firewood, as some locations, such as Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail, do not provide firewood on-site, but allow campfires.
      • Be prepared for primitive conditions; facilities are limited at places like Forest Road 380 Kisatchi National Forest, so plan accordingly with water and sanitation needs.

      Top activities while free camping near Pitkin

      • Fishing is a popular activity at Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail, where anglers can enjoy a variety of catches in a scenic setting.
      • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails available at Evangeline Camp Complex, which offers well-marked paths and beautiful views of the surrounding nature.
      • Wildlife watching is a must, especially around Forest Road 380, where you can spot various species in their natural habitat.

      Dispersed campers should check out Valentine Lake

      • The Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail features both primitive and fixed campsites, making it a versatile option for different camping styles.
      • Be cautious of the local wildlife; while the lake is beautiful, it's home to alligators and snapping turtles, so swimming is not recommended.
      • The area is known for its hiking trails, including the Wild Azalea Trail, which spans nearly 18 miles and offers a great way to explore the natural beauty of the region.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Pitkin, LA?

        According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Pitkin, LA is Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

      • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Pitkin, LA?

        TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Pitkin, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.