The Evangeline Camp is located 4 miles south of Louisiana Highway 28 on Forest
Road 273 (Messina Road). This road is paved until about 1/2 mile from the camp
where it turns into gravel. The best camping flats are just down the hill past
the vaulted restroom. There is no water at this site.

The Evangeline Camp is located 4 miles south of Louisiana Highway 28 on Forest Road 273 (Messina Road). This road is paved until about 1/2 mile from the camp where it turns into gravel. The best camping flats are just down the hill past the vaulted restroom. There is no water at this site.

Bird's eye view of the campground

Evangeline Camp

## Overview

**All campsites are available for reservations on****Recreation.gov****for up
to 6 months. If you choose not pre-book a reservation online, you will need to
download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-
app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular
service. Once you choose a site that is not booked, you may book the site of
your choosing online.**

## Recreation

Camping, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, seasonal swim beach.

## Facilities

Restrooms, hot showers, playground

## Natural Features

2,600-acre Kincaid Lake

## Nearby Attractions

Valentine Lake Campground, Loran Campground, Camp Claiborne Multi-Use trails,
Wild Azalea trail, Kincaid trails, Boat Ramps

<h2>Overview</h2>
All campsites are available for reservations on <a href="https://recreation.gov" rel="nofollow">Recreation.gov</a> for up to 6 months. If you choose not pre-book a reservation online, you will need to download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Once you choose a site that is not booked, you may book the site of your choosing online. <h2>Recreation</h2>
Camping, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, seasonal swim beach. <h2>Facilities</h2>
Restrooms, hot showers, playground<h2>Natural Features</h2>
2,600-acre Kincaid Lake
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
Valentine Lake Campground, Loran Campground, Camp Claiborne Multi-Use trails, Wild Azalea trail, Kincaid trails, Boat Ramps

Kincaid Recreation Area Entrance Portal Sign located at intersection of FS205 and Valentine Lake Rd.

Kincaid Recreation Area Entrance Portal Sign

Camping Loop

Campground Fishing Piers

Campground Portal Sign

Kincaid Rec Area Entrance Sign located on FS 205

Kincaid Rec Area Entrance Sign

Kincaid Lake Campground

The Day-Use Area which includes the swim beach and picnic tables are CLOSED to
the public from Labor Day until Mother's Day, 2025. The group pavilion may be
rented throughout the year, despite the rest of the day-use area being closed.
To reserve the group pavilion, please call the Calcasieu Ranger District
office at (318) 793-9427.

The campgrounds at Kincaid Lake are currently closed as a result of hurricane
damage. Reconstruction is almost complete. Enlarged campsites, new asphalt
roads, water lines, sewer lines, electric lines, curbing, steps, lantern
holders, and fire rings are all part of the renovation. Currently, the Forest
Service is waiting on the new bathrooms. No estimated date on when the
campground will reopen.

The Kincaid Lake Recreation Complex on the Evangeline Unit in the Calcasieu
Ranger District, has two modern campgrounds, a group picnic area, and a
primitive camping area.

Kincaid Lake, a 2,600-acre reservoir, provides the setting for this attractive
development.

Kincaid Recreation Area provides a wide range of outdoor opportunities
including camping, swimming, picnicking, boating, water skiing, fishing,
hiking, and bicycling.

Trash disposal available. Paved roads.

The Day-Use Area which includes the&nbsp;swim beach and picnic tables&nbsp;are CLOSED&nbsp;to the public from Labor Day until Mother&#39;s Day, 2025.&nbsp;The group pavilion may be rented throughout the year, despite the rest of the day-use area being closed. To reserve the group pavilion, please call the Calcasieu Ranger District office at (318) 793-9427.The campgrounds at Kincaid Lake are currently closed as a result of&nbsp;hurricane damage. Reconstruction is almost complete. Enlarged campsites, new asphalt roads, water lines, sewer lines, electric lines, curbing, steps, lantern holders, and fire rings are all part of the renovation. Currently, the Forest Service is waiting on the new bathrooms. No estimated date on when the campground will reopen.The Kincaid&nbsp;Lake Recreation Complex on the Evangeline Unit in the Calcasieu Ranger District, has two modern campgrounds, a group picnic area, and a primitive camping area.&nbsp;Kincaid Lake, a 2,600-acre reservoir, provides the setting for this attractive development.Kincaid Recreation Area provides a wide range of outdoor opportunities including camping, swimming, picnicking, boating, water skiing, fishing, hiking, and bicycling.Trash disposal available. Paved roads.

* Campground A and B, $25 per night for standard sights, $30 per night for double sites
  * Kincaid Lake Day-Use Area - $5 per vehicle/per day 
  * Primitive camping area is $10 per night.
  * Kincaid Lake Group-Picnic Area - $35-$75 for Group Shelter - call for reservations

Kincaid Lake Swim Area CLOSED, Camping CLOSED

## Overview

**This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only.
Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and
claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by
scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay
feature.**

**If this option is available, you will need to first download the free
Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your
arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.**

<h2>Overview</h2>
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.

Valentine Lake Recreation Area

The Loran/Claiborne Camp is provided for camping with ATV's and motorcycles.
The Claiborne Multiple-Use Trails are located in the Old Camp Claiborne.
During it's prime, it was the third largest city in Louisiana where over
500,000 troops trained for WW2.  

The trails are available for ATV, motorcycle, and horse use. Hiking and biking
are also allowed on the trail; however, they are primarily used for motorized
and equestrian riders. The Ahtus Melder Camp is used by equestrian riders
utilizing the Claiborne Multiple-Use Trails. NOTE: Trail status may change or
close temporarily if heavy rainfall is received in the area. Call the OHV
Hotline at 318-473-7069 for the most recent trail information and updates.

Camping at Loran Campground is very primitive with no water available. There
are trash receptacles and vault restrooms available, along with posted
regulations and instructions at the day-use parking area which is located
right next to the campsites.

The Loran/Claiborne Camp is provided for camping with ATV&#39;s and motorcycles. The Claiborne Multiple-Use Trails are located in the Old Camp Claiborne. During it&#39;s prime, it was the third largest city in Louisiana where over 500,000 troops trained for WW2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The trails are available for ATV, motorcycle, and horse use. Hiking and biking are also allowed on the trail; however, they are primarily used for motorized and equestrian riders. The Ahtus Melder Camp is&nbsp;used by equestrian riders utilizing the Claiborne Multiple-Use Trails.&nbsp;NOTE: Trail status may change or close temporarily if heavy rainfall is received in the area. Call the OHV Hotline at 318-473-7069&nbsp;for the most recent trail information and&nbsp;updates.Camping at Loran Campground is very primitive with no water available. There are trash receptacles and vault restrooms available, along with posted regulations and instructions at the day-use parking area which is located right next to the campsites.

Overnight Camping Fee: $10; Trail Use Fee:  $5/operator

Loran/Claiborne Trailhead Camp

Loran Camp

The Ahtus Melder Equestrian Camp is set up very openly, leaving the campers to
use their imagination on how best to camp. Melder Camp is very primitive, no
water is available, no restroom facilities, please bring your trash out with
you and enjoy your stay.

The Ahtus Melder Equestrian Camp is set up very openly, leaving the campers to use their imagination on how best to camp. Melder Camp is very primitive, no water is available, no restroom facilities, please bring your trash out with you and enjoy your stay.

A $5 fee is charged to ride the Claiborne Multi-Use Trail.  No fee for camping
or riding horseback crosscountry. If horses and riders access the Claiborne
Multi-Use Trail, then they pay $5 per horse.

Ahtus Melder Camp

There is an assortment of recreational opportunities within the Stuart Lake
Recreation Complex. Situated on a beautiful 5-acre lake surrounded by pine-
hardwood forest, this area provides outdoor recreational opportunities for
camping, picnicking, canoeing (non-motorized boating), fishing, hiking,
bicycling, and nature study.

The day use facility includes flush toilets, paved parking, a fishing pier,
shore fishing, a swimming beach, picnic tables and barbeque pits.

The group use facility is located up the hill from the day use area and the
swimming beach. It is equipped with a covered picnic shelter, a large party
barbeque pit, trash bins, restrooms, and access to day use facilities
including the lake. Group use area facilites include: restrooms, gravel
parking, extra large barbeque pit, trash bins, large covered picnic shelter,
and access to the day use facilities and lake.

The Stuart Nature Trail and the Glenn Emery hiking and biking trail may both
be accessed from this recreation area.

The Stuart Lake Campground is a primitive campground with 8 sites that were
renovated in 2009.

General facilities also include drinking water and restrooms. Trash disposal
available.

There is an assortment of recreational opportunities within the Stuart Lake Recreation Complex.&nbsp;Situated on a beautiful 5-acre lake surrounded by pine-hardwood forest, this area provides outdoor recreational opportunities for camping, picnicking, canoeing (non-motorized boating), fishing, hiking, bicycling, and nature study.&nbsp;The day use facility includes flush toilets, paved parking, a fishing pier, shore fishing, a swimming beach, picnic tables and barbeque pits.The group use facility is located up the hill from the day use area and the swimming beach. It is equipped with a covered picnic shelter, a large party barbeque pit, trash bins, restrooms, and access to day use facilities including the lake. Group use area facilites include: restrooms, gravel parking, extra large barbeque pit, trash bins, large covered picnic shelter, and access to the day use facilities and lake.The Stuart Nature Trail and the Glenn Emery hiking and biking trail may both be accessed from this recreation area.The Stuart Lake Campground is a primitive campground with 8 sites that were&nbsp;renovated in 2009.&nbsp;General facilities also include drinking water and restrooms. Trash disposal available.

* Stuart Lake Recreation Area is a designated fee area.
  * Day Use: $5/vehicle/day.
  * Camping: $15/single site/night and $20/double unit/night.
  * Group Use Area: $10 non-refundable fee; $25 for 1-30 people; $40 for 31-50 people; $65 for 51-125 people.
  * No trail use fees for hikers.

Evangeline Camp

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