Dogwood Camp

4.50

10 reviews

229 Dogwood Park Road, Provencal, LA 71468

Featured in:Spring Camping Louisiana Fall Camping Louisiana Forest Camping Louisiana +1 more

Quick Facts

226 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Kisatchie Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

226 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Kisatchie Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Dogwood Camp

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping is free, no fees required.

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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USFS

Provider

(318)472-1840

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What Campers Say

4.50

Recommended

Based on 10 reviews

6 Google reviews

Most mentioned

water

"User reviews for Dogwood Campground are mixed. While its free camping and basic amenities like flush toilets and potable water are appreciated, users highlight issues such as traffic noise, lack of upkeep, and bathroom cleanliness. For example, one review states, 'Free to camp, first come basis, flush toilets, several water faucets throughout park, no electricity,' while another mentions, 'Free camping but it is next to a main road. So there is alot of traffic.'"

Read all reviews

Campground Map

229 Dogwood Park Road, Provencal, LA 71468

Dogwood Camp

229 Dogwood Park Road, Provencal, LA 71468

Driving directionsFrom the intersection of I-49 and Highway 6 (Natchitoches), drive west on Hwy 6 for 4 miles. Turn left (south) on Louisiana Hwy 117 and proceed 16 miles to FR 397. which is just before Forest Highway 59, Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway. Turn left on FR 397 and an immediate right into the campground.

Access roads are paved, but traffic noise is mentioned by users due to proximity to a main road. No seasonal closures noted.

Nearby places

Natchitoches (approximately 20 miles, ~30-minute drive)

Provencal (approximately 10 miles, ~15-minute drive)

Nearby supplies

No specific supply locations mentioned

closest supplies likely in Natchitoches or Provencal.

Best Time to Camp at Dogwood Camp

Experience the full symphony of seasons at Dogwood Campground, where each time of year paints the landscape with its own unique palette. Winter transforms the forest into a crystalline wonderland, with temperatures dancing between a crisp 23°F and a mild 40°F—occasionally dusted with magical snowfall. As spring awakens the forest, temperatures climb to a comfortable 50°F to 75°F range, perfect for hiking and exploration. Fall mirrors this temperate embrace, creating ideal conditions for campfire gatherings. Summer brings the warmth of southern hospitality, with temperatures soaring to 95°F and beyond, inviting early morning adventures and lazy afternoon siestas in the shade.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Open year-round; Louisiana summers can be hot/humid and are not described favorably here.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Fall likely pleasant with milder temps and scenic byway views; no seasonal review data provided.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Spring likely attractive with forest renewal; description hints at seasonal beauty but lacks data.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Open year-round; LA winters mild—some seasonal appeal but no winter-sports value.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round.

About Dogwood Camp

Nestled along the enchanting Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway, Dogwood Campground welcomes adventurers with 16 thoughtfully designed drive-in sites that accommodate both intimate camping setups and smaller RVs and trailers. This hidden gem in the forest offers the rare gift of free camping without sacrificing comfort—each site comes equipped with potable water, modern flush toilets, sturdy picnic tables, and traditional fire rings where stories and s'mores come to life under starlit skies. With convenient trash disposal services, you can focus on what matters most: immersing yourself in nature's embrace.

Dogwood Campground is a dispersed camping site with 16 drive-in units, accommodating small RVs and trailers. Tent camping and group camping are available, but there are no cabin or glamping facilities.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the full symphony of seasons at Dogwood Campground, where each time of year paints the landscape with its own unique palette. Winter transforms the forest into a crystalline wonderland, with temperatures dancing between a crisp 23°F and a mild 40°F—occasionally dusted with magical snowfall. As spring awakens the forest, temperatures climb to a comfortable 50°F to 75°F range, perfect for hiking and exploration. Fall mirrors this temperate embrace, creating ideal conditions for campfire gatherings. Summer brings the warmth of southern hospitality, with temperatures soaring to 95°F and beyond, inviting early morning adventures and lazy afternoon siestas in the shade.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in the majesty of Kisatchie National Forest, where ancient Longleaf pines tower overhead like nature's cathedrals, their distinctive bark and graceful needles creating a canopy of tranquility. This rare ecosystem tells a story millions of years in the making, offering glimpses of a landscape that once dominated the American South. Come spring, the campground transforms into a botanical wonderland as native dogwoods burst into bloom, their delicate white and pink petals creating a stunning contrast against the evergreen backdrop—a photographer's dream and nature lover's paradise.

Geological RegionDogwood Campground sits within the remarkable Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana's only national forest and home to one of the most biologically diverse Longleaf pine ecosystems remaining in North America. This geological treasure showcases rolling hills, ancient sandstone formations, and pristine waterways that have carved their stories into the landscape over millennia. The scenic byways that wind through this region offer windows into a uniquely Southern wilderness, where the Gulf Coastal Plain meets the pine-covered hills in a spectacular display of natural diversity.

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

Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come, first-served basis. No reservations required. "Free to camp, first come basis" (user review).

AccessibilityNo specific information on accessibility features is provided.

Site SizeSites are drive-in and accommodate small RVs and trailers.

PrivacyNo specific details on privacy levels at campsites are provided.

Total Campsites16 campsites

Amenities available

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsProximity to the main road may pose noise and safety concerns; wildlife may be present.

Weather at Dogwood Camp

Reviews

4.5

10 reviews

Recommended

Dogwood Camp is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Dogwood Campground are mixed. While its free camping and basic amenities like flush toilets and potable water are appreciated, users highlight issues such as traffic noise, lack of upkeep, and bathroom cleanliness. For example, one review states, 'Free to camp, first come basis, flush toilets, several water faucets throughout park, no electricity,' while another mentions, 'Free camping but it is next to a main road. So there is alot of traffic.'

Review Summaries

Based on 10 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive feedback includes the campground's free access, availability of potable water and flush toilets, and the presence of picnic tables and fire rings. One user appreciated the rustic camping...

Based on 10 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints focus on bathroom cleanliness and maintenance, as well as the proximity to a main road causing traffic noise. One reviewer noted, 'Someone keeps popping on the floors in the...

Based on 10 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early as camping is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Be prepared for traffic noise due to the campground's location near a main road.

Based on 10 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No specific seasonal trends are provided in the reviews or official sources.

Based on 10 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Free to camp, first come basis, flush toilets, several water faucets throughout park, no electricity.' 2. 'Someone keeps popping on the floors in the bathroom at night and they don't clean it...

Based on 10 reviews