Tent sites around Shreveport, Louisiana offer a mix of waterfront, primitive, and developed camping options within driving distance of the city. Camping areas extend into neighboring Texas, with options spanning from state-managed wildlife areas to parish parks. The region experiences subtropical humidity with average summer temperatures reaching 93°F and frequent thunderstorms during spring and summer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Earl Williamson Park provides direct access to Caddo Lake fishing with boat launching facilities. One camper noted, "The waterfront sites have an amazing sun set view of Caddo Lake. Inexpensive camping sites."
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature on-site disc golf, with an 18-hole course at Earl Williamson Park. A visitor shared, "We got to play disc golf at their very nice public (free) 18 hole course. I've been carrying around the discs for years and never got to play. Now I'm hooked!"
Hiking trails: Camp Quapaw offers hiking trails accessible directly from tent sites while maintaining proximity to essential services. As one reviewer explained, "Camp Quapaw offers a great spot for primitive camping and tons of nearby activities including hiking at the camp and still near town for your essentials."
Hunting access: Some camping areas serve as bases for hunting trips, particularly during fall and winter seasons. A camper at Ivan Lake shared, "We camp here while hunting..love this camp site no worries or problems, all nice red blooded Americans loving Gods outdoor country."
What campers like
Affordability: Most tent sites around Shreveport maintain low fees compared to other regions, with primitive sites starting at $6 per night. A camper at Earl Williamson Park commented, "Only $12 a night cash only, 2 week max."
Water views: Lakefront camping provides scenic settings at several locations. One visitor wrote, "Stayed 1 night for rooftop camping on car. Chose to set up in the primitive camping area on the grass near the boat docking area."
Privacy options: Wenks Landing Recreation Area offers separate sites with varying degrees of seclusion. A camper advised, "I easily switched my site via my booking to site 1, which is the best for car sleeping and in my opinion the best site at the campground. It is set off from the others and has a large flat grassy area."
Feeling of safety: Park monitoring creates a secure environment at certain campgrounds. A reviewer mentioned, "The local sheriff's office sits at the entrance so we felt very safe there too."
What you should know
Seasonal challenges: The Shreveport area experiences high humidity and insect activity, particularly during warmer months. At Wenks Landing, a visitor reported, "It was quite buggy even in early April, but I managed to keep moving and make a fire so the smoke would help the bugs stay away."
Facility conditions: Bathroom facilities vary significantly between locations. One camper at Earl Williamson Park noted, "We were disappointed because the shower in the bathhouse didn't seem to work. It wasn't until the next morning that another camper clued us in about the 'private' shower for campers (get the code from the host)."
Site selection: Not all designated tent sites provide level ground for setting up. As a camper advised about Wenks Landing, "If you want to tent camp or sleep in your car, only book sites 1-5. The others don't seem to have flat spots for much of anything. Perhaps hammocking would work!"
Closed campgrounds: Some previously available campgrounds have closed permanently. A visitor to Turtle Slide Campground reported, "It's in a really pretty location but it's overgrown and has obviously been closed for a while. I bet it was nice when it was open."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature recreational facilities for children. A visitor to Earl Williamson Park mentioned, "This park has a day use area that includes playgrounds, disc golf, fishing piers, and a swim beach (that we made good use of)."
Swimming areas: During summer months, designated swimming beaches provide relief from heat. A reviewer noted, "There was a nice playground, public boat launch and I think there was an old unmaintained beach. Plenty of access to the lake."
Campsite positioning: For family camping, sites near amenities but away from boat traffic often work best. One camper recommended, "At double the price it was a bargain. We'll definitely stop again if we get through the area."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups rather than full service. A camper at Teague Lake Primitive shared, "Most excellent for the day and I have a lot of people to tell."
Water access points: Water connections are inconsistently placed throughout some campgrounds. One RVer explained, "We had electricity and a covered pavilion, but no water spigot at our site. Other sites had water but some were set up for RV connections not for filling up jugs."
Dump station locations: Some campgrounds maintain dump stations even without sewer hookups. A visitor noted, "There was a dump station that was easy to get to and maintained."
