Louisiana's only national forest, the Kisatchie National Forest, is one of the best places in the state to enjoy nature in Louisiana. Now, this isn't your typical Louisiana landscape... there are no marshes, no swamp boat tours, no gators in this hidden gem... but there is a bayou! This hidden campground is the place to go when you want to get away from it all and spend a few nights sleeping under the stars and connecting with nature. Let's take a closer look at the Kisatchie Bayou Campground
Even just driving out to the Kisatchie Bayou Campground will make you feel like you've entered a different state.
Unlike the southern half of the state, central and northern Louisiana's rolling hills and remote roads will take you on a beautiful drive through the forest.
Once you get to the campground, there’s a self-pay system to pay for your campsite.
It’s a $2.00 per night fee and they use the honor system out here, so there’s no reserving your campsite ahead of time.
There are 17 walk-in campsites and one drive-in site at the campground.
Each campsite has tent pads, barbecue pits, and lantern posts for your convenience. While there are trash receptacles and restrooms available, it’s important to note that there is no water at this campground, so make sure you bring a few jugs ahead of time!
The crown jewel of this campground is the Kisatchie Bayou which runs alongside it.
Bring your tackle box and see if you can reel in a bass, perch, sunfish, or catfish!
There's a sandy bank to lay out or bring some beach chairs to enjoy the scenery.
The bayou is relatively shallow, but there are some parts where it can be as deep as 15 feet.
Especially after a hard rain.
There are hundreds of hiking trails in the area, and one of my favorites is the Longleaf Vista Trail.
It's about 1.5 miles, with a recreation area and a parking lot, too. You'll also have some absolutely mesmerizing treetop views from the parking lot! Sign up for AllTrails Plus while you're at it, so you can gain access to additional trail info, download maps offline, and more.
Visit the Forest Service website for more information. While you're in the area, check out some of our favorite forest trails in Louisiana. Happy hiking!
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