Pearl River WMA - Crawford Landing, near Slidell, Louisiana, is a straightforward camping spot that offers a no-frills experience for those looking to escape into nature. This area is perfect for tent and RV camping, with plenty of open space to set up your gear and enjoy the great outdoors.

Visitors have noted the peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal location for a quiet getaway. While there are no showers or traditional restrooms, portable toilets are available, and campers appreciate the calm environment surrounded by big trees that provide some shade. As one camper put it, “The place is really calm, quiet, and perfect for what’s needed.”

This location is also a great option for last-minute camping, as it’s one of the few places in the area that offers free camping. You can easily pull in at any hour and find a spot, but make sure to grab a permit online before you settle in. The area is close to local amenities, so you won’t be too far from civilization if you need supplies.

For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, the nearby swamp tours offer a unique way to explore the local wildlife and scenery. Just keep in mind that this spot is more about enjoying nature than luxury, so come prepared with your own supplies and a sense of adventure.

Pearl River WMA has flat terrain with poor drainage and is subject to annual flooding. The forest cover varies from an all-age hardwood stand in the northern 45 percent to cypress-tupelo in the middle 35 percent and intermediate marsh in the southern 20 percent. The mixed hardwoods are made up of water, nuttall, cow, obtusa, overcup, and live oak; bitter pecan; hickory; beech; magnolia; sweetgum; and elm. The overstory varies from moderately open to closed.

Pearl River WMA - Crawford Landing

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Slidell, LA has a lot to offer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Slidell campgrounds just for you. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Slidell and user-submitted reviews.

Slidell

The Best Camping Near Slidell, Louisiana

Needed a place to stop at on the way from KY to TX &amp; found this little spot. You have to have a Fish &amp; Wildlive permit, which you can purchase online.

close to freeway

This was a great camp that was just off the main road outside New Orleans. We got there and realized we needed a permit. So we went to Walmart down the road and paid $3 for a wma permit for lousiana. Stayed one night with no problems. It was free but for the permit and lots of open space. Camped under the trees. 

Great easy camp

Free, but as a courtesy please sign in and then out when you leave. Beautiful spot but no designated sites. Port a pots only and one water spigot. No frills, just free. We stayed here 2 nights. Swamp tour company very close by.

Free area along the Pearl River in Louisiana

This campground is a small open field by a road and river. There were some other rvs and tents even I arrived. I felt safe &amp; it was quiet. No bathrooms or water available. You must have a (free) permit on Louisiana’s app LDWF WMA &amp; sign in &amp; out. I def recommend &amp; I’ll be coming back if I need to camp out near NOLA!!

Simple & free

We planned on hanging out here for around a week but ended up leaving after a couple of hours. There were a bunch of signs posted saying no pets and some other campers told us that they are pretty strict about it. That was enough for us to find somewhere else cause we can’t relax looking over our shoulder worrying about having our dog out. I don’t want to talk down on this place because we didn’t stay there but I will say I wasn’t a huge fan of the vibe in general either. It didn’t feel like a place I could relax but I will say I could have seen myself staying a night or two if I had to.

No dogs here. 

No bathrooms or water but close to a few stores and gas stations. Lots of room and flat ground. I camped in my car but others were in tents or rvs. Must have permit and sign in and out, all of it can be done online. Good service

Nice stop for a night 

We stopped here on the way from Texas to Florida for one night. Absolutely beautiful and peaceful. There were about five other campers spread out across the grassy field, but it felt very private.

Great spot for an overnight stop

Decent spot about 45 minutes from New Orleans. Makes sure you purchase a permit. It's about 11 dollars. And it's for a year. Well worth it to get. There are porter potties. No hookups. Make sure to pack in and pack out. 

Quiet 

Nice little stop outside of New Orleans for the night. Arrived late at night and there was one other person here. It was raining so I just decided to sleep in the car. It is a quiet area but still near civilization. Only 2 minutes from nearest gas station. 
There were no amenities here at all. About a 2 acre field, no specific spots.
It is Louisiana WMA. No pay required, but got LDWF WMA app to check in to this spot, really easy to do. No one came during the night at all so I’m sure it’s not a problem if you don’t check in.
To get here just enter address 41398 Crawford Landing Rd, Slidell LA. You’ll see a fenced in community, just pass that and it’ll open up into a field before a swamp tour business. All roads are paved. You will see a sign and you can just pull anywhere into the field and set up.
Service with Verizon was full 4G

Nice Quick Roadtrip Stop

One of the only places in the area that offers free camping. We were able to pull in at 2am and stay for the night. No amenities but felt very safe and it was well kept. There were two other tents set up but we still had plenty of room and privacy. It’s isolated enough down a back road but still close to the main road as well as neighbors to a little neighborhood. As a 23 y.o. female, didn’t feel nervous at all. No lighting of any kind so make sure to provide your own. I have AT&amp;T and had full service. 

Great for last minute camping 

The coordinates are a little misleading. They take you to a neighborhood. You should actually drive past the neighborhood and the field is right before the swamp tours parking lot at the end of the road. There are porta potties on site. I stayed the night before New Year’s Eve and there were quite a few other people, but still plenty of room to park. There isn’t a lot of privacy and I did notice a lot of people being reckless and going to bed with still burning campfires. 

Open field okay for a quick overnight

Restrooms are portable, no showers, no light. There’s nothing, just space for campers. Some really big trees for a good shadow. Place really calm, quiet and perfect for what’s needed. No luxury. Check in and check out can be done right here at the entrance. 

Photos of Pearl River WMA - Crawford Landing

Real photos from real campers