Camping is permitted adjacent to the trail, but campsites must be established at least 30 feet away from the trail center line. This is primitive camping - no amenities.

Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

Valentine Lake Northshore Campground

The Valentine Lake Recreation Complex is set in a peaceful and secluded atmosphere. Valentine Lake is a 46 acre lake in a hardwood and pine setting. In keeping with the serenity, motorized boating is not allowed. Canoe access is drag or carry from available boat launch at the day-use area on the South side of the lake. Parking after launch is available at the upper parking area only. Access can also be made by campers in the campground area. The Valentine Lake Northshore Campground has 14 campsites, 6 of which are located along the shoreline of the lake. Campsites are equipped with a picnic table, lantern post and grill/fire ring. There is a restroom, trash containers and water is available in strategic locations around the campground. The Valentine Lake Trail starts and ends at the Northshore Campground and is 3 miles total in length. Valentine Lake also has a Trailhead parking area on the south side of the lake which provides access to the northern most point of the Wild Azalea National Recreation Trail. There are two fishing piers on the lake. One fishing pier is located near the Northshore campground and one at the Day Use area. The south side of the lake is also accessible by a trail that crosses the overflow chute from the campground.

Valentine Lake Recreation Complex, Camping/day Use

**The campground and trails around Kincaid Lake remain closed due to Hurricane Laura damage.**
The Kincaid Lake Recreation Complex on the Evangeline Unit in the Calcasieu Ranger District, has two modern campgrounds, a group picnic area, and a primitive camping area. 

Kincaid Lake, a 2,600 acre reservoir, provides the setting for this attractive development.

Kincaid Recreation Area provides a wide range of outdoor opportunities including camping, swimming, picnicking, boating, water skiing, fishing, hiking, and bicycling.

Trash disposal available. Paved roads.

Kincaid Lake Campground - Temporarily Closed

The Kincaid Lake Recreation Complex on the Evangeline Unit in the Calcasieu Ranger District, has two modern campgrounds, a group picnic area, and a primitive camping area. Kincaid Lake, a 2,600 acre reservoir, provides the setting for this attractive development. Kincaid Recreation Area provides a wide range of outdoor opportunities including camping, swimming, picnicking, boating, water skiing, fishing, hiking, and bicycling. Trash disposal available. Paved roads.

Kincaid Lake Recreation Area, Camping/Day Use

The Evangeline Camp is located 4 miles south of Louisiana Highway 28 on Forest Road 273 (Messina Road). This road is paved until about 1/2 mile from the camp where it turns into gravel. The best camping flats are just down the hill past the vaulted restroom. There is no water at this site.

Evangeline Camp Complex

Hidden Treasure RV Resort

Cotile Lake is a man-made impoundment located in the uplands approximately 15 miles west northwest of Alexandria, Louisiana.  The lake is approximately 1,775 acres in size and was completed in October 1965.  The Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission stocked this impoundment with the proper species and number of game fish in 1965-66 shortly after its completion date.

The recreational facilities on Cotile Lake are among the finest in Central Louisiana.  There is a large area cleared and zoned for swimming with complete bath house facilities nearby.  There is a water skiing area that is cleared and snagged for safety of the skiiers.  The picnic and camping areas are modern and complete.   There is also space available for campers.

Cotile Recreation Area

Loran Site Complex

Kisatchie National Forest Boy Scout Camp

The Loran/Claiborne Camp is provided for camping with ATV's and motorcycles. The Claiborne Trails are located in the Old Camp Claiborne where over 500,000 troops trained for World War 2 and was the third largest city in Louisiana during those war years. The trails are available for ATV, motorcycle, and horse use. Hiking and biking are also allowed on the trail; however, they are primarily used for motorized and equestrian rider. The Ahtus Melder Camp is used by equestrian riders utilizing the Claiborne Trails. Camping at Loran Campground is very primitive with no water available. There are trash receptacles and vault restrooms available, along with posted regulations and instructions at the day-use parking area which is located right next to the campsites.

Kisatchie National Forest Loran/Claiborne Trailhead Camp

National Forest

I hiked about 7.5 miles in from the Valentine Lake trailhead to a large clearing by the bridge with a nice cool stream. There are other clearings nearby which would be great for a small group camp. The trail itself is great and pretty well maintained. Be prepared for plenty of ups and downs and some rough terrain. There are adequate running streams to get water for filtering. From camp I went another 1.5 miles to the Evangeline primitive area parking lot (where there is a pit toilet), some beautiful views along that stretch. I would definitely do it again, but with a lighter pack and not in 90 degree weather!

Great primitive camping!

Its a really nice place to camp. Very small but well kept up

Valintine lake 

Open all year 

Primitive 

The Wild Azalea Trail is south west of Alexandria, Louisiana on the edge of the Valentine Lake Recreation Area. There is a trail head with parking on the grass, nicely mowed but if it has rained it could be muddy. Primitive camping is permitted adjacent to the trail but campsites must be at least 30 feet from the trail center line.

 Pack it in, Pack it out 

LNT 

BTYFI 

NO FIRES 

Travel safe

Valentine Lake Wild Azalea Trail

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