Best Dispersed Camping near Ruston, LA

Sugar Creek Hunt Camp and Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area offer free dispersed camping options near Ruston, Louisiana. Sugar Creek provides basic amenities including vault toilets and trash receptacles at a remote location accessed by a two-mile gravel road with significant potholes. The camp has multiple sites suitable for large vehicles, including 35-foot rigs. Cell service is extremely limited, with reviews noting "absolutely 0 service for AT&T or Verizon."

Russell Sage WMA provides more primitive camping with no facilities. While initially listed as free, recent visitors report a $5 permit requirement. The area features a simple turnaround at the end of a gravel road approximately five miles from Interstate 20, adjacent to a pond. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, the site offers "nice and secluded" camping but conditions vary considerably—some visitors praise its quietness while others mention issues with trash and stray dogs. The campground can accommodate vehicles up to 25 feet and allows a maximum stay of 14 days.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Ruston, Louisiana (2)

    1. Sugar Creek Hunt Camp Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Junction City, AR
    31 miles
    Website

    "The road down there is full of huge potholes, be aware! Especially at night lol."

    "It is a hunt camp so you might have a truck or two drive by but other than that we were the only ones out here so it was real quiet and there's at least three "spots" where a big rig like ours (35ft) can"

    2. Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

    6 Reviews
    Monroe, LA
    40 miles

    "This is a nice site at end of turn around. Next to a nice pond. About 5 miles from I20. No amenities. Beware only one camp site."

    "Don’t even try to find it on your own with Apple Maps! It’s just a longish drive off of a nice paved two lane. There is a big sign at the mouth. Just a circle turn around back in the woods."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Ruston, LA

3 Photos of 2 Ruston Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ruston, LA

8 Reviews of 2 Ruston Campgrounds


  • UnnamedAdventures  The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 11, 2019

    Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

    Worst WMA Land Ever Visited

    This WMA land is the worst that I have ever stayed at. If you stay here and don’t need to leave your vehicle your probably safe. We ended up staying here on our drive from Texas to Alabama and thought it was a great spot on the map to stop as its close to the highway(Historic Highway 80). The location was great due to the proximity to the highway and there was very minimal road noise. Since we got their late at night we were unable to really get a full lay of the land. We pulled in and used the turnaround and setup camp. After an incident that night with our dog rolling in human feces we knew we wouldn’t like the site of the camp in the morning. After we cleaned him(thank goodness we had lots of water and dog shampoo) we went to bed only to hear barking of stray dogs. The next morning we kept our dogs on a tight leash and were in disarray with the amount of garbage and trash around the camping area. Overall don’t stay here unless you absolutely have to. The road in is Gravel and.05 miles from a paved road. Russell Sage WMA is open Year round. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay 14 days at Russell Sage WMA.

    Check out our blog at www.unnamedadventures.com and follow our journey on Facebook and Instagram or on our YouTube Channel at Unnamed Adventures. 

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  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 5, 2023

    Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

    Nice and secluded

    This is a nice site at end of turn around. Next to a nice pond. About 5 miles from I20. No amenities. Beware only one camp site.

  • Debbie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2024

    Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

    Absolutely nothing there!

    Easy to find with the link in Dryt. Don’t even try to find it on your own with Apple Maps! It’s just a longish drive off of a nice paved two lane. There is a big sign at the mouth. Just a circle turn around back in the woods. I was the only car and we (me and my doggo) slept and drove away!

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 25, 2024

    Sugar Creek Hunt Camp Dispersed

    Cute

    Super cute little spot. It had plenty of space/sites for big rigs, cars, tents, and hammocks. Established bathrooms and trash receptacles. Absolutely 0 service for AT&T or Verizon. The road down there is full of huge potholes, be aware! Especially at night lol.

  • Lea B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 7, 2024

    Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

    Dispersed and quiet

    I ended up in the hunting-open dispersed area. There is plenty of space to fit quite a few campers there, but the ground was soft. There were no gravel parking areas, etc. I read the reviews about bears and put my ring doorbell out in hopes of a glimpse, but no such luck.

    We could hear local cows and dogs but nothing so loud as to disrupt our sleep.

  • Harrison M.
    Dec. 15, 2020

    Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area

    It’s a good one

    For quick free road side camping this is the spot! Easy parking, Zero cops, had a campfire, cooked food, slept in my hammock right between the wildlife sign. No complaints would stay again!

  • Mic F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2022

    Sugar Creek Hunt Camp Dispersed

    Peaceful

    We found this spot after seeing that North shore wasn't maintained and south shore was too crowded. It's just a pull off area at the end of a two mile gravel road. It is a hunt camp so you might have a truck or two drive by but other than that we were the only ones out here so it was real quiet and there's at least three "spots" where a big rig like ours (35ft) can fit just fine. There are vault toilets and secure trash cans which were nice to have. Decent enough service.


Guide to Ruston

Sugar Creek Hunt Camp and Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area provide rustic camping near Ruston, Louisiana with different experiences depending on seasonal conditions. Surrounded by pine forest terrain typical of northern Louisiana, these dispersed camping areas offer alternatives to traditional campgrounds. The region receives approximately 54 inches of annual rainfall, creating variable ground conditions that campers should prepare for.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Sugar Creek Hunt Camp offers proximity to fishing spots where anglers can catch bass and catfish. A recent camper noted, "Super cute little spot. It had plenty of space/sites for big rigs, cars, tents, and hammocks."

Wildlife watching: At Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area, the pond near the turnaround provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. One visitor mentioned, "We could hear local cows and dogs but nothing so loud as to disrupt our sleep."

Stargazing: The minimal light pollution at these remote sites creates excellent night sky viewing. A camper at Sugar Creek shared, "We were the only ones out here so it was real quiet and there's at least three spots where a big rig like ours (35ft) can fit just fine."

What campers like

Privacy and solitude: Many visitors appreciate the seclusion of these areas. A camper at Sugar Creek Hunt Camp Dispersed reported, "We found this spot after seeing that North shore wasn't maintained and south shore was too crowded. It's just a pull off area at the end of a two mile gravel road."

Convenient highway access: Russell Sage WMA provides a practical stopping point for travelers. One reviewer stated, "Easy to find with the link in Dryt. Don't even try to find it on your own with Apple Maps! It's just a longish drive off of a nice paved two lane."

Undeveloped camping experience: Those seeking a true dispersed camping experience value these locations. A camper noted, "For quick free road side camping this is the spot! Easy parking, Zero cops, had a campfire, cooked food, slept in my hammock right between the wildlife sign."

What you should know

Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging, especially after rain. A Sugar Creek visitor warned, "The road down there is full of huge potholes, be aware! Especially at night lol."

Limited parking space: At Russell Sage, space can be restricted. According to one camper, "This is a nice site at end of turn around. Next to a nice pond. About 5 miles from I20. No amenities. Beware only one camp site."

Permit requirements: Regulations have changed at Russell Sage WMA. A recent visitor clarified, "Perfectly fine site, a very nice ranger kindly told me that it's 5 dollars, just FYI!"

Tips for camping with families

Cell service limitations: Plan activities that don't require connectivity. A visitor to Sugar Creek noted, "Decent enough service," but experiences vary significantly by carrier and specific location within the camping area.

Ground conditions: During wet seasons, the terrain can become muddy and difficult. One camper at Russell Sage observed, "I ended up in the hunting-open dispersed area. There is plenty of space to fit quite a few campers there, but the ground was soft. There were no gravel parking areas, etc."

Wildlife awareness: Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area may have more wildlife activity than expected. A camper mentioned, "I read the reviews about bears and put my ring doorbell out in hopes of a glimpse, but no such luck."

Tips from RVers

Turnaround space: The limited turnaround areas can be challenging for larger vehicles. A Sugar Creek camper advised, "It is a hunt camp so you might have a truck or two drive by but other than that we were the only ones out here."

Site selection: For RVers, choosing the right spot is crucial. At Sugar Creek Hunt Camp, a camper noted, "It had plenty of space/sites for big rigs, cars, tents, and hammocks. Established bathrooms and trash receptacles."

Highway proximity: The distance from major routes affects planning. A Russell Sage visitor mentioned, "The location was great due to the proximity to the highway and there was very minimal road noise."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ruston, LA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ruston, LA is Sugar Creek Hunt Camp Dispersed with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.