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Home/Central Louisiana/Valentine Lake
picnic table under shade of pine trees overlooking Valentine lake

Valentine Lake

For a Louisiana campground, Valentine Lake may be a bit on the primitive side, but this secluded spot on a quiet lake is truly a real beauty. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature and explore the piney woods of the Kisatchie National Forest.

sun shining through pine trees with grass and blacktop road
Late afternoon view of campground.

a step back in time at valentine lake

Valentine Lake Recreation Area is a hidden gem in Central Louisiana, nestled within the Kisatchie National Forest, around 20 miles west of Alexandria. As one of the older public campgrounds in the state, the recreation area and campground offer a unique historical aspect. U.S. Forest Service Ranger Jonny Fryar explains, “It was actually built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s. They built the dam, the spillway, and made this approximately 40-acre lake, which we manage today as one of our recreation areas.”

valentine lake featured on tv

Watch this Heart of Louisiana story on Valentine Lake.

the beauty of primitive camping

With 14 campsites, some along the picturesque lake shore, Valentine Lake provides a more primitive camping experience. Fryar describes the campground as having running water at the bathrooms but no electricity or water at each site. He adds, “It’s really a beautiful setting. It’s quiet. A lot of people like that. So they come here.” The cost of a campsite is $10 per night.

wooden steps to campsite and picnic table overlooking fishing pier in Valentine Lake
View from lakefront campsite.
camper and white pickup truck under trees in campground
Primitive campground area.

Visitors Bart and Karen Austin, traveling from Wisconsin to Colorado, discovered Valentine Lake and appreciated its serenity. Bart Austin called it a “jewel” and Karen Austin praised it as “absolutely stellar.”

explore the trails and wildlife

yellow iris in bloom
Yellow iris in bloom in late March.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this recreation complex is its trail system. Hikers can explore trails along the lake or deep into the woods of the Kisatchie, with Valentine Lake’s trails connecting to the 25-mile long Wild Azalea Trail, the longest hiking trail in the state.

picnic table under shade trees with fishing pier over Valentine Lake
Picnic table and fishing pier in day use area.

Michael Mazur, a camper from New Orleans, keeps coming back to Valentine Lake for “the solitude, of course, the loveliness of the campgrounds, just nature itself.” The area also offers opportunities to spot wildlife, such as alligators, and the lake is stocked with Florida bass for fishing enthusiasts. Paddling is allowed, but power boats are prohibited.

waiting for sunset

man standing on fishing pier looking out over lake
Waiting to photograph the setting sun.
sun about to drop below tree line at lake
Late afternoon sun

Luis Wilson of Orlando, who visited Valentine Lake to take photographs, found it to be a beautiful place to capture the sunset. As the sun dipped below the trees, it said farewell with a golden blanket of color and the soothing sounds of nature.

sun sets behind trees across lake
Sunset over Valentine Lake

getting to Valentine lake

Valentine Lake is located in the Kisatchie National Forest about 20 miles west of the central Louisiana city of Alexandria.

Directions: From Alexandria, drive west on Louisiana Highway 28 West for 12 miles to Louisiana Highway 121. Turn left (south) on LA 121 and go 0.3 miles to Valentine Lake Road (Forest Road 279) and turn left. Go 0.8 miles to Forest Road 282 and turn right. Go 1.1 mile.  The first paved right is to the North Shore Campground.  Continue on Forest Road 282 for 0.5 miles, to the right is the Day Use/Fishing Area.  Continue on Forest Road 282 for 2 miles to the Wild Azalea Trailhead parking area.

Explore Central Louisiana

butterfly on flower in forest along Louisiana's wild Azalea trail

Hiking the Wild Azalea Trail

    trail through the Kisatchie National Forest

    Kisatchie National Forest

      abandoned Longleaf sawmill in Longleaf, Louisiana

      Sawmill Frozen in Time

        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        April 11, 2023
        Thoughts:
        5 Comments

        Categories: Central Louisiana, Featured

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. Pamela Bordelon

          June 22, 2023 at 12:50 pm

          Growing up in ’60’s and’ 70’s, Valentine Lake was always our family’s favorite place to picnic and swim. Our parents would load us up in the back of the truck with bread, hot dogs, hamburgers and all the works along with a couple of big ole watermelons to spend a glorious day at the lake! We’d swim and play until it was nearly dark and the ranger was there to lock the gate!
          We’d go home worn out and sunburned but so happy for the day!
          I still love Valentine lake!

          Reply
        2. Mark A Cook

          January 15, 2024 at 11:11 pm

          Is there a boat ramp here ?

          Reply
          • Dave McNamara

            February 10, 2024 at 9:48 am

            Mark, this is from the U.S. Forest Service which operates the Valentine Lake Recreation Area: ” motorized boating is not allowed. Canoe access is drag or carry from available boat launch at the day-use area on the South side of the lake.”

            Reply
        3. Dustin hebert

          March 19, 2024 at 9:25 pm

          Are generators allowed?

          Reply
          • Dave McNamara

            March 21, 2024 at 4:39 pm

            Hi Dustin, you will need to check with the U.S. Forest Service which operates the Valentine Lake Recreation Area. You can get information from their site here, which also includes a phone number.
            https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/kisatchie/recreation/recarea?recid=34643&actid=70

            Reply

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