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Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping

Rutherford Beach Campground, near Cameron, Louisiana, is a unique spot for those looking to camp right on the beach without spending a dime. With hard-packed sand that allows for easy access, you can set up your tent or RV just steps away from the waves.

This location is all about the beach experience, with plenty of space for everyone to spread out and enjoy the scenery. Visitors rave about the beautiful sunsets and the peaceful atmosphere, making it a perfect getaway for relaxation. As one camper put it, “I don’t think I’ll ever get over how cool it is to camp directly on the beach, for free.”

While amenities are limited, there are portable toilets and trash bins available to keep things tidy. The lack of hookups means you’ll want to come prepared, but the trade-off is the chance to enjoy nature without the usual campground hustle. Campers have noted that the cell service is surprisingly good, so you can stay connected if needed.

For those who love birdwatching or fishing, this area offers a serene backdrop to enjoy these activities. Just remember, it’s a bit remote, so stock up on supplies before you arrive. If you’re looking for a laid-back beach camping experience, Rutherford Beach Campground is definitely worth checking out.

Description

Municipal

Free camping on the beach

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Location

Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping is located in Louisiana

Detail location of campground

Directions

Gulf of Mexico Creole, LA 70632

Coordinates

29.758826446620482 N
93.12399180395181 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

15 Reviews

Reviewed Feb. 20, 2025

Out of the way gem

This place is way out of the way you're going to be 45 minutes from the nearest Walmart. Cell phone service when it's working is good although there were two outages in the week I was there. There does not seem to be a time limit for staying, if there is it's not enforced. Plenty of spots along the ocean there's even two rows of compacted sand for a lot of it. Speaking of sand it will get everywhere in your camper. I was there beginning of February and the mosquitoes are relentless. Bring bug spray make sure it's got deet. Everyone I met there was very nice.

Sitequarter mile to the left of the entrance
Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed May. 1, 2024

beach camping

Great spot to pull over your car to park on the sand. Lots of other RVs but not crowded and theres a long stretch of hard packed sand that i was able to access without a truck or RV. More people showed up around 5 but stayed a bit and left. Quiet night and morning.

anyone I talked to was friendly but reiterated it wasn't safe to swim, kind of disappointing but oh well.

One review here mentioned mosquitoes and its true, spent about an hour before bed slapping myself silly from all the ones that had gotten inside.

overall really easy place to pull up to, really pretty.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by S H., May 1, 2024
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by S H., May 1, 2024
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by S H., May 1, 2024
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Apr. 4, 2024

Mosquitos ruin it

The views are alright and it’s nice to have free beach access and a few amenities but I have never seen such thick clouds of mosquitos in my life. Made the grave mistake of opening the van door at night and spent the next TWO DAYS hunting down hundreds of mosquitos in our van from those two seconds. It was a nightmare.

Month of VisitApril
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Reviewed Jun. 28, 2023

Boondocking on the Gulf coast.

Our trailer has narrow tires that are hard to pull on most beaches. The sand here packs well and supports our camper. You will need to be self contained. No hookups here. There are port-a-potties and sometimes food trucks on weekends.

Sitepick your own. first come first serve.
Month of VisitJune
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Jeff K., June 28, 2023
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Jeff K., June 28, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 20, 2023

Pretty sweet

Quite and perfect. Beautiful breezes and in the heat I welcome it. I am very impressed and will come Back.

Sitedispersed on the beach
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 12, 2023

Nice spot to camp

The sand is packed hard enough to pull a trailer right onto the beach. Plenty of room and there are dumpsters, an outside shower and a water spigot. The kids loved fishing right from camp.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Jasmine P., June 12, 2023
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Jasmine P., June 12, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 5, 2023

Beach life

The beach was easy access. Lots of room to pick a spot. New shells every day.

Sitedispersed.
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by John R., June 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by John R., June 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by John R., June 5, 2023
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Feb. 25, 2023

Beach Living

Easy access will lots of beach space to choose from.

SiteBeach
Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Feb. 3, 2023

Ocean view

Not to many campers. Probably because it’s cold and windy today. You can drive on the beach. Plenty of Verizon cell service. The water is cold but the bird watching and drive here was beautiful, serene and no traffic (again cold, windy and February) There is a row of port of potties at entrance of beach. The camping is free

Siteleft after entrance to beach
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Andrea S., February 3, 2023
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Andrea S., February 3, 2023
Reviewed Apr. 25, 2022

Free Beach Camping

Free camping on the beach. No problem driving on the hard packed sand. Camped here in a camper van. Plenty of room, far from other campers. I was surprised at how wide the beach was given it's history with storms. Clean. Portable toilets near entrance to beach; pretty nasty. Also, trash dumsters; full when we arrived. Horse flies & other insects can be a problem here, but not too bad if a breeze or wind is coming off of the gulf. Good AT&T & T-Mobile service. Good experience.

Sitedispersed
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Fred S., April 25, 2022
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Fred S., April 25, 2022
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Fred S., April 25, 2022
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Mar. 27, 2022

Free Beach Camping

Variety of users groups regarding camping style and demographic groups. Plenty of local flavor on the weekends. Overall friendly folks. Frequently patrolled by local deputies.

Site0
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Kelly E., March 27, 2022
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Kelly E., March 27, 2022
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Kelly E., March 27, 2022
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Mar. 5, 2022

Free Beach Camping = Magical

I don't think I'll ever get over how cool it is to camp directly on the beach, for free.

There were lots of other RVs and vans here when we stayed in early March, but there was plenty of room for everyone to spread out all in a long line along the beach.

Lots of people here fishing, both day use and overnight campers.

There are porta potties and garbage bins near the entrance, and a large dumpster and a water spigot kit outside the entrance.

The sand here is crushed shells, so not so soft for bare feet.

A bit of wind at times, but maybe that's why we had no bugs.

The water looks kind of murky, not dirty, and some locals told us when the wind is just right the water is super muddy.

Lots and lots of huge shells here.

Beautiful sunset.

Good cell service for att and Verizon.

Siten/a
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Laura M., March 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Laura M., March 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Laura M., March 5, 2022
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Jan. 4, 2022

Rutherford beach

Awesome free beach camping. As previously stated amenities are still here

Month of VisitJanuary
Reviewed Nov. 28, 2021

You won't like it!

This right here in Louisiana is a wonderful find. A great place you can kick back relax no hassles no problems listen to the ocean seagulls the wind. You can stay as long as you like just remember to pack it and pack it out unfortunately any real services are about 35 mi away so there is no quick run to the grocery store but it's just what you really want I look forward to coming back and visiting here many more times in the future.

Sitequarter mile east of the entry to the beach but don't go there you won't like it! go someplace else
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by George S., November 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by George S., November 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by George S., November 28, 2021
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2019

Free beachfront camping!

This is a great spot that is way off the beaten path!  Rutherford Beach was awesome.  There is a dumpster there and a port o potty, but no hookups.  The sand was hard packed so we were able to pull our 31' Class A onto the sand with no issues.  The cell service is great and we had an awesome time.  It is in the middle of nowhere though so plan accordingly and stock up before you arrive!

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Bounding Around , October 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Bounding Around , October 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping by Bounding Around , October 31, 2019
  • (8) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping does not have wifi.