How much does camping cost at Bankston Camp?

Camping fees at Bankston Camp range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Bankston Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Bankston Camp operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Are there showers at Bankston Camp?

Bankston Camp does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Bankston Camp?

Pets are not allowed at Bankston Camp. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Bankston Camp?

Bankston Camp offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Bankston Camp?

Popular activities at Bankston Camp include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

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

Check Availability 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

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Bankston Camp

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

There is no fee required to camp at Bankston Camp.

No paid fee categories listed.

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Campground Map

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Bankston Camp

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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.

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.

Weather at Bankston Camp

Best Time to Camp at Bankston Camp

Fall delivers the best conditions. Daytime highs run mid-50s to mid-70s°F, mornings drop into the 40s-50s. Humidity and mosquito pressure fall off compared to summer, and migratory bird activity peaks alongside deer movement in the preserve. Weekends during hunting season see higher visitor numbers, but early mornings stay quiet. This is prime time for shoreline wildlife viewing, hiking, and boating on calm, clear days.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Overview states fall delivers the best conditions: cooler temps, lower humidity, peak migratory activity.

Planning Tips

About Bankston Camp

Bankston Camp sits northeast of Williana at the edge of Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve, offering a primitive dispersed camping experience with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. The campground rates 4.5 out of 5 stars across 3 reviews and accommodates tent, RV, and primitive camping. No running water, no developed sites, no privacy.

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

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best conditions. Daytime highs run mid-50s to mid-70s°F, mornings drop into the 40s-50s. Humidity and mosquito pressure fall off compared to summer, and migratory bird activity peaks alongside deer movement in the preserve. Weekends during hunting season see higher visitor numbers, but early mornings stay quiet. This is prime time for shoreline wildlife viewing, hiking, and boating on calm, clear days.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground borders Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve at 259 feet elevation, where bottomland hardwood forests meet cypress-tupelo swamps and seasonal wetlands. Ancient river channels and sediment deposits created this habitat mosaic, now home to concentrations of deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, and raptors. The preserve's multiple converging ecosystems make it one of the Southeast's most wildlife-rich environments. Expect morning mists over wet lowlands, hardwood canopy overhead, and the constant movement of birds through the trees.

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.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campgrounds primarily cater to tent, RV, and dispersed campers. No hotel-style lodging is mentioned.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned for any of the campgrounds.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

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

The Bankston Camp in Louisiana is a primitive camping site without potable water, located near the Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve. It offers minimal facilities, as described in the sources. Additionally, the Soapstone and Washington Lake campgrounds in Utah provide different amenities, with Soapstone featuring paved parking aprons and 32 campsites with tables and grills, while Washington Lake includes 39 campsites with fire rings and pedestal stands for cook stoves.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

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.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

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.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at any of the listed campgrounds. Vault toilets are the primary option where restrooms are provided.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

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

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

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

Accessibility Features

Washington Lake is noted to have wheelchair-friendly vault toilets, but no other accessibility features are described for the remaining campgrounds.

Based on 3 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Hunters, birders, and wildlife watchers who want to drop into bottomland hardwood forest without paying a dollar. Fall is the clear window: lower humidity, active migratory flyways overhead, and deer moving through the preserve at dawn.

Skip if

No potable water on-site means hauling everything you'll drink and cook with. No hookups, no showers, no developed sites, and no cell coverage info available, so anyone needing any of that should plan around a different campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

: Located on U.S. Hwy 167

Pearson Camp sits deep in Kisatchie National Forest, a primitive single-site spot used mainly by hunters targeting the adjacent National Catahoula Wildlife Management Preserve. There's no potable water and no amenities. You'll need to bring everything.