Louisiana is a beautiful state to explore, and you can do it very inexpensively when you go boondocking. You may want to visit each of the five regions of Louisiana. The northern part of the state is called Sportsman’s Paradise, and it is a great place to go fishing. Below that is the Crossroads region with its beautiful rural settings. You will not want to miss dining in Cajun Country, along with exploring this area’s mansions. The Florida Parishes lay along the Mississippi River. Finally, there are plenty of exciting things to do in the Greater New Orleans area, including visiting the French Quarter and New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park.
Boondocking Sites in Louisiana
Pearson Camp
Located within Kisatchie National Forest, Pearson Camp is also very near the National Catahoula Wildlife Management Preserve. This campground is situated about 27 miles south of Alexandria and is especially popular with hunters. You can go hiking, climbing, and off-roading near this campground.
Sugar Creek Hunter Camp
Sugar Creek Hunter Camp is in Kisatchie National Forest. This campground near Minden is a great place to stay if you want to fish in Sugar Creek or hike the Sugar Cane Recreation Trail. This campground, which is also near Bernice, offers vault toilets.
Cloud Crossing Campground
Cloud Crossing Campground is near Goldonna, on the shores of the Saline Bayou Wild & Scenic River. You can find lots to do near this campground, including hiking, fishing, and canoeing. The camping area is located two miles up a gravel road, and each campsite comes with a fire ring.
Rutherford Beach Campground
If your idea of a perfect boondocking site in Louisiana is camping on the beach, then Rutherford Beach Campground may be perfect for you. Enjoy playing in the Gulf of Mexico when you stay at this campground near Creole. Bring along your dogs as this beach is dog friendly.
Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area Campground
While you will not find any services, the Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area Campground near Morgan City is a beautiful place to camp. This campground is located where the Atchafalaya River and the Wax Lake Outlet meet. This location is a fantastic area to go fishing for redfish, catfish, bass, and bluegill, and seasonal hunting is allowed.
Holly Beach
You can boondock right on Holly Beach, near Cameron. This secluded beach is a fantastic place to find seashells. The beach is regularly patrolled, so everyone feels safe.
Sherburne Wildlife Management Area
There are free dispersed campsites throughout Sherburne Wildlife Management Area near Krotz Springs. Rifle, pistol, skeet/trap, and archery ranges are available at this site located between the Atchafalaya River and the East Protection Guide Levee. Seasonally, this is a fantastic spot to go waterfowl, deer, squirrel, and woodcock hunting.
Corral Camp
Corral Camp near Natchitoches offers easy access to off-roading on the Sandstone Multiple-Use Trail System. Inside the National Red Dirt Wildlife Management Preserve, this campground is also a great place to go hunting and hiking. Nearby roads are an excellent place for a biking adventure across this scenic area with some gently rolling hills.
Crawford Landing
You can camp for free in Louisiana at Crawford Landing, which is part of the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area. This campground is a fantastic place to trap beaver, nutria, mink, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, coyote, and bobcat, and you can go seasonally hunting at this location. A nearby boat ramp makes it easy to launch your vessel. This place is also an ideal spot to go crawfishing while the many streams and ponds at the north end of the wildlife management area are great fishing holes.
Where to Boondock in Louisiana
There are many choices in free camping in Louisiana. You will find several options spread across the national forests while others are in wildlife management areas. You will find that many beaches offer boondocking in Louisiana.
Free Camping in Louisiana
When preparing for your boondocking trip, be sure to consider the weather. While Louisiana can be a great place to camp, even in the winter, hurricanes can impact the whole state from June to November, with most storms occurring in late August and early September. You will also want to stay weather-aware during the spring for hailstorms and tornadoes. Be sure that you have a way to get the latest weather news and learn to read the clouds.
Since many sites for boondocking in Louisiana are in remote locations without services, consider how you will dispose of your trash. The best policy is usually to plan to haul out what you bring into the campgrounds. Consider a plastic bin with a tight-fitting lid that you can use to store your trash until you get to an area where you can dispose of it properly. You may also want to bring a shovel and bury things that will decompose in the ground.
From the beaches through plantation country to the state’s northern rivers, there are fantastic places to camp for free in Louisiana. Check out our Boondocking blog to learn more about this great way to explore the state.
Camping is a great way to explore Louisiana. You will want to visit its many different regions while building great memories. Start boondocking today by getting your RV ready for your next adventure. If you do not have an RV, it is easy to rent at RVshare.com. Many different options in drivable and towable vehicles are available, and each rental is covered by 24/7 roadside assistance.
