Camping Area

For Louisiana residents who seek an authentic, no-frills escape into the heart of the state’s natural beauty, the Camping Area near Pitkin—widely known as the Enduro Trailhead Camp—offers a quiet, ready-made base camp experience within the expansive Kisatchie National Forest. This site is a breath of fresh air for campers who prioritize accessibility to trails and a peaceful atmosphere over extensive, developed amenities. It provides a clean, relatively flat area specifically tailored for primitive tent camping.

Located within the Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District, this area is essential for outdoor enthusiasts who plan to fully explore the multi-use trails that Kisatchie is famous for. Unlike highly developed recreation areas, the Enduro Trailhead Camp offers a more rustic experience, perfectly suited for the sportsman, the dedicated hiker, or the family looking for quiet time away from city noise. Customer reviews consistently highlight the area’s tranquil setting and cleanliness, confirming that the site lives up to its promise as a ready-to-use, well-maintained camping spot. While the amenities are primitive—a classic national forest experience—the focus is entirely on facilitating access to Louisiana's “Sportsman’s Paradise.”

It is important for visitors to note that, as a primitive campground, it lacks modern hookups or flush toilets, embracing a self-contained camping style. Moreover, the area is a vital access point to a significant trail system, making it unique in its primary feature: direct entry to some of the best off-highway vehicle (OHV) and mountain biking trails in the region.

The Camping Area, or Enduro Trailhead Camp, is situated in the rugged and beautiful landscape of Vernon Parish in Central Louisiana, specifically near the town of Pitkin. Its location within the Kisatchie National Forest is key to its appeal, offering thousands of acres of federally managed land for recreation.

The designated address for the location is:

Tower Rd, Pitkin, LA 70656, USA

More specifically, the Enduro Trailhead Camp is located at the junction of Forest Road 440 & 442. This is part of the Calcasieu Ranger District's Vernon Unit. For those traveling from Central Louisiana hubs like Alexandria or from the western part of the state, the campground is easily reached via a mix of state highways and well-maintained forest service roads. The proximity to the trails themselves ensures quick access to the day’s activities right from your tent flap.

As a trailhead camp, accessibility is designed to get vehicles—including trucks towing utility trailers with bikes or OHVs—to the camp area conveniently. Campers should be prepared for typical forest road conditions, although the site itself is generally described as being flat and easy to get to. Visitors are encouraged to check the Kisatchie National Forest website or call the ranger district office for current conditions, especially concerning trail status after weather events, as some customer reports have mentioned temporary closures due to hurricane damage.

As a primitive tent camping area, the services offered at the Enduro Trailhead Camp are foundational, focusing on necessity and maintaining the health of the natural environment, rather than luxury.

• Designated Primitive Camping: The area is set aside specifically for tent camping, providing established, ready-to-use camp areas.
• Vault Toilet: A basic, non-flush restroom facility is provided on-site, a standard service for primitive national forest campgrounds.
• Garbage Collection Point: An established garbage point is available, supporting the "pack-in, pack-out" ethos and helping campers keep the area clean.
• Level Camp Spots: Customer feedback notes that the camping areas are typically clean, flat, and ready for a tent setup.
• Trail Access: The camp serves as a direct trailhead, offering immediate, convenient access to the Enduro Trail system for recreational users.
• Information & Guidance: Contact information for the Calcasieu Ranger District is available to assist with inquiries regarding regulations, trail conditions, and permits.
• Seasonal Use: This type of camp is primarily maintained during the active recreation and hunting seasons, though general forest access is often year-round.

The true highlights of the Enduro Trailhead Camp revolve around its unique designation and its setting within the Kisatchie National Forest.

• OHV and Mountain Bike Access: This is a singular feature—the Enduro Trailhead Camp is the only campground within the Kisatchie National Forest officially designated for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and mountain bike users, making it the perfect home base for motorized and non-motorized trail riders.
• Enduro Multi-Use Trail System: The camp provides direct access to the famous Enduro Trail system, a network of trails ideal for long-distance hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and OHV use (seasonal restrictions may apply).
• Hunter’s Camp Proximity: The site is located in an area highly popular among sportsmen, serving as an excellent jump-off point for hunting deer, hog, squirrel, and rabbit in the surrounding National Forest lands, in accordance with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) regulations.
• Quiet Atmosphere: The camp is consistently praised by users for its peaceful, quiet environment, offering a genuine retreat from busy life.
• Natural Forest Setting: Campers are immersed in the Longleaf Pine ecosystem of the Kisatchie National Forest, providing ample opportunities for wildlife viewing, birding, and appreciating the deep woods of Louisiana.
• Cost-Effective Camping: As a primitive, national forest site, it represents an extremely affordable option for outdoor enthusiasts to secure a ready-to-use camping spot.

While the camping area itself is primitive, the site is managed by the Kisatchie National Forest, and information can be obtained through the relevant district office.

Address (Approximate Trailhead Location):
Tower Rd (Junction of Forest Road 440 & 442)
Pitkin, LA 70656, USA

Phone (Kisatchie National Forest Contact/OHV Hotline):
(800) 442-2511 (This number may be the general Kisatchie OHV Hotline or a reservation line.)
(318) 793-9427 (Calcasieu Ranger District Office, where the camp is located—recommended for specific local inquiries).

It is always recommended to call the district office before arriving to confirm any potential closures, particularly for trails, and to check for current fire or weather restrictions.

The Enduro Trailhead Camp is the clear choice for a specific subset of Louisiana outdoors enthusiasts: those who actively engage in trail-based recreation and prefer a quiet, self-sufficient camping style.

You should choose this Camping Area because:

• It is the OHV Gateway: If you are an off-road vehicle enthusiast or a dedicated mountain biker, this is the designated and most convenient campground in the entire Kisatchie National Forest to access the multi-use trails.
• It Offers True Quiet: Unlike larger, more developed campgrounds with noisy generators or crowded sites, this area is consistently reviewed as a peaceful and quiet spot, perfect for getting away from it all and enjoying the sounds of the Louisiana woods.
• It's a Hunter’s Ideal Base: Being centrally located within the Kisatchie National Forest and near popular hunting ground, this primitive camp serves as an excellent, affordable, and practical location for a hunting expedition.
• It is 'Ready to Go': The site offers just the right amount of service—a flat, clean area, a toilet, and trash disposal—allowing experienced campers to focus entirely on their outdoor activities rather than logistical setup.

For a comfortable night’s rest before a long day on the trails or a quiet spot under the stars after a successful hunt, the Enduro Trailhead Camp provides the essential rustic Louisiana camping experience.