Best Equestrian Camping near Provencal, LA

Oak Camp Complex in Kisatchie National Forest offers primitive equestrian camping with vault toilets and fire rings. The campground accommodates small RVs and trailers in a wooded setting of pine and hardwoods on fairly flat terrain. The area is specifically designated for horse camping with no off-highway vehicle use allowed to prevent spooking horses. Sites are first-come, first-served with a $5 per night fee and a 14-day limit. Visitors noted that the campground feels secluded despite being just minutes from other camping areas.

Located within the Kisatchie National Forest, this horse-friendly campground provides access to the forest's extensive trail system. The roads leading to the campground are easily navigable for horse trailers. Lotus Camp, another option nearby, connects to the Sandstone Trail and costs $10 per night with a $5 day-use fee for trail access. While Oak Camp does not have water available, Lotus Camp offers drinking water and flush toilets. Both campgrounds become particularly busy during hunting season. Pack appropriate insect protection as ticks and flies are common in these wooded areas, especially during warmer months.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Provencal, Louisiana (8)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Provencal, LA

19 Reviews of 8 Provencal Campgrounds


  • Conrad V.
    May. 13, 2023

    Hunters Camp - Calcasieu Ranger District

    Can't beat free

    The Hunter Camp is situated just off range road. You're surrounded by wilderness. The only amenities are a vault toilet. Fort Polk is close enough for supplies, check your gate schedules. Marines were utilizing the ranges in the area, and a couple officers came though the hunter camp just exploring.

    Theres a hiking trail near by, stating no motorized vehicles, but you can mountain bike, hike and ride horses. No fishing near by unless you drive to the blue hole complex further down range road.

    Apparently they're allowing logging around the camp, so do a check before you go set up.

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Oak Camp Complex

    Horses, yes please!

    Oak campground inside Kisatchie National Forest, Kisatchie District is a secluded little spot to camp if you have been riding your horse on the trails. (Or not bc we stayed here with no horse). This was the first campground where there was actually other people here. There is no water, vault toilets and lots of trees and space to play. Just down the road, trees are being harvested but that did not interfere with our stay. This campground does not accommodate off road vehicles (they could spook the horses I guess) but there are many more campgrounds throughout the forest connected to the trails that do. The grounds are really well kept.

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Lotus Camp

    Tree roots and trails

    Isnide the Kisatchie National Forest, Kisatchie District Lotus campground offers water, flush toilets and easy access to the Sandstone Trail. Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table and lots of tree roots. This campground is designated for off road vehicle campers as opposed to horse campers. A bit scary when it started raining and we were under those big beautiful trees, but we made it through. Again, the campgrounds in this area are so well marked and easy to find. There is a $3 per night fee to camp here and a $5 trail use fee.

  • David H.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2025

    Gum Springs Recreation Area — Kisatchie National Forest

    Quiet, wooded campground perfect for tent campers and hikers. Shady sites, great trails, and only $10/night. No frills—just peace and nature.

    If you're looking for a quiet, back-to-nature escape, Gum Springs in Kisatchie National Forest delivers big. This tent-friendly spot is nestled among tall pines, with spacious and shady pads, peaceful vibes, and killer access to a 17-mile horse trail. At just $10/night, it’s an absolute steal. Pit toilets are clean, and while you might hear the nearby highway now and then, it doesn’t spoil the experience. Just don’t expect hookups or glam amenities—this is all about the woods, the trails, and the quiet.

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

    Gum Springs Recreation Area — Kisatchie National Forest

    Log bridges and boys

    Located inside Kisatchie National Forest, Winn district. We were not alone here, but felt very secluded. This campground has sites with picnic tables, lantern posts, and fire rings. The grounds are hilly and has great small trails throughout. The gum springs body of water has large trees across small parts of water allowing the boys to test their balance skills. They had so much fun running up and down the hills and through the trees. We really liked this place. There are bathrooms on one side of the loop.

    The Winn Ranger Station is next to campground.

    "The Gum Springs Campground is located in an area of hilly terrain and natural springs. Gum Springs Recreation Complex exhibits recreation design and construction from the Civilian Conservation Corps era of the 1930's. Gum Springs campground offers basic recreation opportunities of picnicking and camping and is close to Gum Springs Horse Camp and Trail."

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

    Gum Springs Recreation Area — Kisatchie National Forest

    Log bridges and boys

    see Gum Springs Campground

    Located inside Kisatchie National Forest, Winn district. We were not alone here, but felt very secluded. This campground has sites with picnic tables, lantern posts, and fire rings. The grounds are hilly and has great small trails throughout. The gum springs body of water has large trees across small parts of water allowing the boys to test their balance skills. They had so much fun running up and down the hills and through the trees. We really liked this place. There are bathrooms on one side of the loop.

    The Winn Ranger Station is next to campground.

    The Gum Springs Campground is located in an area of hilly terrain and natural springs. Gum Springs Recreation Complex exhibits recreation design and construction from the Civilian Conservation Corps era of the 1930's. Gum Springs campground offers basic recreation opportunities of picnicking and camping and is close to Gum Springs Horse Camp and Trail.

  • Paula W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2018

    Enduro Complex

    Trails and Ticks...

    Campground: Inside the Kisatchie Natinal Forest, Calcasieu Ranger District, Vernon Unit. This is dispersed camping with a pavilion and vault toilets available. No water, must pack it in.

    Trails: there are miles and miles of trails attached to this campground. OHV, horse or hiking. Beautiful area, just don't forget sunscreen, water, bug and tick repellant. The trails are very well marked.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 22, 2021

    Oak Camp Complex

    Peace in the Woods

    Pack it in, Pack it out

    FCFS

    Fees:  $5.00 per night

    Limit:  14 days

    Horse and general camping with no OHV camping.  NO WATER but there are pit toilets and there was one fire ring.  Beautiful pine and hardwoods with a lot of fairly flat area.  Beautiful shade and the area can handle small RV's and trailers.  The area is VERY busy during hunting season. We will return one day.

  • Oli
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Lotus Camp

    Nice

    This camp is a short distance from the highway,  Solar There are some nice flat new sites that have been installed and it looks like more new ones are coming.


Guide to Provencal

Oak Camp Complex accommodates small RVs and horse trailers within Kisatchie National Forest near Provencal, Louisiana. The campground offers primitive sites among pine and hardwood trees for $5 per night with a 14-day stay limit. Road access is designed for horse trailer navigation with vault toilets and fire rings provided for campers. The terrain features mostly flat areas suitable for camping and trail access.

What to do

Trail riding access: Gum Springs Recreation Area connects to a 17-mile horse trail network through the forest. One visitor noted, "Gum Springs campground offers basic recreation opportunities of picnicking and camping and is close to Gum Springs Horse Camp and Trail."

Off-highway vehicle exploration: The Enduro Complex provides miles of marked trails for OHV, horse riding, and hiking. According to a visitor, "There are miles and miles of trails attached to this campground. OHV, horse or hiking. Beautiful area, just don't forget sunscreen, water, bug and tick repellant. The trails are very well marked."

Balance activities: The recreation areas feature natural elements children enjoy. At Gum Springs, a camper observed, "The gum springs body of water has large trees across small parts of water allowing the boys to test their balance skills. They had so much fun running up and down the hills and through the trees."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Hunter Camp provides a secluded camping experience during non-hunting seasons. One camper shared, "My wife and I camped here just before memorial day and had the entire campsite to ourselves. I imagine during hunting season this camp is quite busy, however we found it very peaceful in the off months."

Clean facilities: Many of the equestrian campgrounds maintain their amenities well. At Gum Springs, a camper reported, "Pit toilets are clean, and while you might hear the nearby highway now and then, it doesn't spoil the experience."

Budget-friendly options: Lotus Camp provides affordable camping with some amenities. A visitor stated, "For primitive camping this is great... it has water and a restroom but no shower or electricity. This was a GREAT weekend guys trip."

What you should know

Insect protection: Ticks and biting flies are common in horse campgrounds near Provencal, Louisiana. A Hunter Camp visitor advised, "Because of its location so deep in the woods mosquitoes, horseflies, and yellow flies were in abundance. Using a therma cell was perfect at keeping them at bay."

Seasonal variations: The camping experience varies dramatically depending on the time of year. At Hunters Camp, a reviewer noted, "Apparently they're allowing logging around the camp, so do a check before you go set up."

Water availability: Not all campgrounds provide water sources. At Lotus Camp, a camper explained, "This camp is a short distance from the highway. There are some nice flat new sites that have been installed and it looks like more new ones are coming."

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites with amenities: For family camping trips, select areas with basic services. A Lotus Camp visitor recommended, "This camp is for the purpose of OTV riding but regular camping is allowed. Drinking water, flush toilet, picnic table, fire ring, trash... This really is a great place for the family and all the family fun."

Pack entertainment: The natural terrain provides recreational opportunities for children. At Gum Springs, a camper observed, "The grounds are hilly and has great small trails throughout... They had so much fun running up and down the hills and through the trees."

Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds remain quieter than others. One visitor at Gum Springs noted, "If you're looking for a quiet, back-to-nature escape, Gum Springs in Kisatchie National Forest delivers big."

Tips from RVers

Site sizing: Not all equestrian campgrounds accommodate large rigs. One camper at Oak Camp noted, "Beautiful pine and hardwoods with a lot of fairly flat area. Beautiful shade and the area can handle small RV's and trailers."

Surface conditions: The natural terrain may present challenges for RV leveling. A camper at Lotus Camp mentioned, "Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table and lots of tree roots."

Alternative camping locations: For those needing more space, some campers suggest exploring beyond the main campgrounds. A visitor reported, "This sure is not far at all from Corral camp which cost $10 a night. This one is free though and is only about a 2 min drive. No hook ups and we got our 43 ft 5th wheel in just fine."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Provencal, LA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Provencal, LA is Lotus Camp with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Provencal, LA?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Provencal, LA, with real photos and reviews from campers.