Bankston Camp

3 reviews

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Featured in:Fishing Louisiana Fall Camping Louisiana Spring Camping Louisiana +2 more

Quick Facts

259 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens booking site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

259 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens booking site

Official Website

Get Directions

Bankston Camp

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

There is no fee required to camp at Bankston Camp.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 3 reviews

Most mentioned

viewsprivacyhikinglake

"User reviews are not explicitly provided for the Bankston Camp. Soapstone and Washington Lake have general descriptors, highlighting their unique features and minimal complaints beyond basic amenity limitations."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

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Bankston Camp

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Driving directionsFrom Alexandria, take U.S. Highway 165 north for 23 miles. Turn right (northeast) on Louisiana Hwy 472 and go 4 miles. Turn right (east) on Forest Road 145 and go 2 miles. The Bankston Camp is on the right.

Access is via paved roads (U.S. Highway 165 and Louisiana Hwy 472), transitioning to Forest Road 145. This road may be unpaved, but the route is described without specific challenges noted.

Nearby places

Williana, Louisiana (approximate distance and travel time not explicitly provided).

Nearby supplies

No specific information provided about nearby grocery stores, fuel stations, or other supplies.

Best Time to Camp at Bankston Camp

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Summer in LA is hot, humid and buggy; primitive site lacks water/comforts that ease heat.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall likely offers milder weather and good wildlife viewing in the preserve.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring brings active wildlife and pleasant temps—good season for this wetland preserve area.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.5 / 5

Mild Louisiana winters mean comfortable, quieter visits though fewer seasonal activities noted.

Planning Tips

About Bankston Camp

Deep in the heart of Louisiana's wilderness, Bankston Camp beckons to those seeking an authentic back-to-basics adventure. This truly primitive campground, nestled northeast of Williana, offers intrepid campers the rare opportunity to disconnect completely from modern conveniences and reconnect with nature in its purest form. With no running water or developed facilities, Bankston Camp delivers an unfiltered outdoor experience where self-reliance meets the untamed beauty of Louisiana's backcountry. Here, the absence of amenities becomes the main attraction, drawing those who measure luxury not in comfort but in starlit skies and the symphony of wildlife echoing through the night.

Bankston Camp is a primitive dispersed site, while Soapstone and Washington Lake offer structured camping options, including tent and combined sites.

Natural Features and SceneryPerched on the edge of the magnificent Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve, Bankston Camp serves as your gateway to one of Louisiana's most biodiverse treasures. This pristine wilderness sanctuary pulses with life, where ancient hardwood forests give way to wetlands teeming with waterfowl, and where the calls of countless bird species create nature's own soundtrack. The preserve's rich tapestry of ecosystems—from bottomland hardwood forests to cypress-tupelo swamps—provides endless opportunities for wildlife viewing and nature photography. Each sunrise brings new discoveries as deer emerge from morning mists, wild turkeys strut through clearings, and raptors soar overhead in search of prey.

Geological RegionBankston Camp sits at the threshold of the remarkable Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve, a geological wonderland where Louisiana's natural heritage unfolds in spectacular fashion. This region showcases the dynamic interplay between land and water that has shaped Louisiana's landscape for millennia. The preserve's varied terrain tells the story of ancient river channels, seasonal flooding, and the slow dance of sediment deposition that created this wildlife paradise. From your campsite, you'll have front-row access to explore this ecological crossroads where multiple habitat types converge, creating one of the most wildlife-rich environments in the southeastern United States.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Groups

No information is available about group camping.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

AccessibilityNo explicit accessibility features were highlighted for Bankston Camp. Washington Lake has wheelchair-friendly vault toilets.

Site SizeBankston Camp is described as primitive and dispersed, while Soapstone and Washington Lake have designated campsites, ranging from 29 to 39 in number.

PrivacyBankston Camp does not provide privacy due to its primitive nature. Soapstone offers good privacy with a mixture of vegetation. Privacy at Washington Lake is not explicitly mentioned.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Bankston Camp provides a primitive camping experience without specific recreational activities listed. Soapstone and Washington Lake offer more structured options, with Washington Lake providing access to hiking trails and fishing opportunities.

HikingWashington Lake has designated hiking trails, including Notch Mountain Trail #081 (9.1 miles) and Lakes Country Trail #066 (4.4 miles). Hiking is not specifically mentioned for Bankston Camp or Soapstone.

FishingWashington Lake features fishing opportunities with Rainbow, Brook, and Cutthroat trout. Soapstone and Bankston Camp do not highlight fishing activities.

BoatingWashington Lake allows non-motorized boating, and carry-down access is available. Bankston Camp and Soapstone do not mention boating.

Wildlife viewingWashington Lake offers wildlife viewing, including moose. Soapstone mentions resident moose as a part of the camping experience. No wildlife viewing is noted for Bankston Camp.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsNo potable water is available; campers should bring their own water supplies.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Bankston Camp

Reviews

0.0

3 reviews

Limited Reviews

Bankston Camp has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are not explicitly provided for the Bankston Camp. Soapstone and Washington Lake have general descriptors, highlighting their unique features and minimal complaints beyond basic amenity limitations.

Review Summaries

Based on 3 reviews

What Campers Love

Soapstone campers appreciate the good privacy and natural surroundings. Washington Lake is praised for its scenic views and proximity to hiking trails and fishing.

Based on 3 reviews

Common Concerns

For Soapstone, traffic noise from the nearby highway is a common complaint. At Washington Lake, the rocky terrain affects tent pitching.

Based on 3 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors to Washington Lake are advised to practice bear-safe food storage. For Soapstone, using the nearby RV waste station is recommended.

Based on 3 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Soapstone is open from May 24 to September 14, and Washington Lake is open from July 5 to September 1. Seasonal accessibility and usage may influence visitor experiences.

Based on 3 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The Soapstone campground offers good privacy, but the traffic noise can be disruptive," as one user noted. Another stated, "Washington Lake has breathtaking views, but setting up tents on rocky...

Based on 3 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No specific sites are mentioned for Bankston Camp. Soapstone has 32 sites, while Washington Lake features 39 sites with varying proximity to the lake.

Based on 3 reviews