Camping advice: Where to go

[JCcypress]

The little lady and I have been kicking around the idea of a hiking/camping trip for a while and I'd like to take advantage of the weather before it gets brutal out there. I'm a relatively experienced camper, but it's been quite some time since I've gone anywhere around here.

I'm trying to figure out a good place to go. Here's the skinny:

• We'd like to be able to set up camp next to my truck, but I'd prefer to have some privacy- not into staying at a campsite with a bunch of other people.

• Someplace relatively close to water (for enjoyment, not drinking), whether it's a lake, stream, creek, whatever...

• Someplace we can shoot guns a little would be great.

• Within a couple of hours of Baton Rouge.

• Somewhat "hilly" area, if possible. May bring the mountain bikes.

• After some thought, I guess I wouldn't be totally opposed to finding a place that we could do the above activities during the day and maybe take it back to a little cabin or something in the evening.


My family used to go to Kisatchie a lot when I was younger, but it's been over 20 years since I've gone out there. I was trying to navigate the Kisatchie website and it looked like they had some interesting activities available... canoeing, and maybe horses? Also looked like they may charge for camping in certain areas? I don't remember any of that, but it seems like it could be cool.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Danny Abear]

Sherburne WMA is close to what you are looking for.

 

[MTregre]

Camp Claiborne

 

[Metryshooter]

I known of a great place that fits your criterea except the shooting and the couple hours from BR part. Look up Cheaha state park in Alabama. I've been in both the Summer and winter (Mardi Gras), different experiences each time, but still a very beautiful place regardless.

 

[3fifty7]

Indian Creek Rec area seems to fit the bill. Spots do tend to fill up fast and Woodworth WMA shooting range is very close by.

 

[Hot Pepper]

I agree with 3fifty7, Indian creek sounds like the place you want too be. It has a very nice primitive area too. You can easily find a nice place on a point over looking the lake. Alexander State Forest Shooting range is a few mile away.

 

[Magnetic]

Chicot state park has great "hills" and trails for mountain biking, plenty of water, piers, fishing, boat rental (paddle only), and some of the sites are fairly privately located.

 

[Slimak707]

They have a nice hilly camp ground in tunica hills. 1 hour north of baton rouge off 61. Hilly gravel/dirt roads that you can ride all day.

 

[Mojo Rider]

Chicot SP, Bogue Chitto SP or the Kincaid Lake camping area in the Kisatchie NF just north of Alex

 

[Danny Abear]

They have a nice hilly camp ground in tunica hills. 1 hour north of baton rouge off 61. Hilly gravel/dirt roads that you can ride all day.

Name? Directions? Any other info that you can share?

 

[buck3050]

2 places come to mind. Sam Houston Jones state park right outside Lake Charles and Kincaid State park in Alexardria. Both have great camping, lakes and great mountain bike trails. Check em out.

 

[my-rifle]

Name? Directions? Any other info that you can share?

Slimak707, I'd like to know this too. I was in Tunica Hills last week (Greenwood Plantation - WOW!), and my wife and I go there every year. Best of my knowledge you have to be out by nightfall. What is it I do not know?

 

[103M 95G]

Fountainbleau state park
http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ifontaine.aspx

 

[Ijaw]

Lake Fausse Pointe State Park -or- Palmetto Island State Park

 

[BOSS351]

Check out Flint Creek in Mississippi near Wiggins. We used to go there pretty often and offers cabins as well as primitive camping. Lots of trails for bikes and hiking and a large lake for boating, fishing, or skiing.

 

[Gus McCrae]

Good thread. Lots of places I need to check out.

For the OP, Tickfaw state park hasn't been mentioned yet.

 

[edman87k5]

Slimak707, I'd like to know this too. I was in Tunica Hills last week (Greenwood Plantation - WOW!), and my wife and I go there every year. Best of my knowledge you have to be out by nightfall. What is it I do not know?

I'd like to know wht you are talking about also, you have to pass my house to get anywhere out there and if something like this exists, I don't know of it. There is the waterfall trails but I know no camping is allowed there. Then there is the tunica WMA but as far as I know there is no camping there either.

 

[Danny Abear]

Maybe he just "mispoke"
But i'm on the way to Lakeside in Livingston now for a couple of days and then to False River for the weekend

 

[GunRelated]

Check out Flint Creek in Mississippi near Wiggins. We used to go there pretty often and offers cabins as well as primitive camping. Lots of trails for bikes and hiking and a large lake for boating, fishing, or skiing.

Also, Black Creek is another great camping destination near Wiggins. This place will require a canoe or canoe rental though, but there are plenty of places to pitch a tent down the creek. The lower part of the creek flows through a wildlife preserve (IIRC), and the tall steep sandstone banks are nice. Fishing is also great at the time of the year. I am actually hoping to make it up that way sometime soon. I love making a 2 or 3 days canoe trip.

 

[DoubleJ]

Any of the KNF units fits what your looking for except Vernon because you have to stay at the campgrounds. Other KNF units you can camp anywhere! If you decide to go with this pm me and I can give you some cool spots on the Evangeline unit. Lake kincaid is there. No paying for primitive campgrounds or camping on your own, only if you want to use the campgrounds that have ammenities for campers etc. Not suppose to shoot out of season but it goes on out there all the time and it's poorly regulated so that's up to you. Miles and miles of trails good for hiking or moutain biking..everythig your looking for. Should see some deer and possibly, turkeys, hogs, etc. I hunt this area a good bit so if you want some more info about anything just let me know and I'll be glad to help.