After asking my husband if we could all escape to Paragon Casino Resort for a little luxury and entertainment, he suggested the wilderness and overnight camping instead. Now, I’m more of a spa girl myself and someone who prefers lodging with a roof and running water, but in the name of family bonding, I made the sacrifice. Just about the time when I was packing the back of our truck with tents, backpacks and whatnot, I began to wonder just what I was getting myself into, but, by then, it was too late.  Bags of ice and drinks went into the ice chest, and we were headed out to Kisatchie National Forest for a family camping adventure.
 
A TRIBE NAMED KISATCHIE
A friend recommended that we camp at Kisatchie Bayou. Named after a tribe of Indians, Kisatchie National Forest is divided into five districts, which are located in seven different parishes of Central Louisiana and total more than 604,000 acres. In the 1800s, 85 percent of Louisiana was covered in pure stands of magnificent yellow pine. It was almost all virgin forest and considered a lumberman’s dream. After years of fast 'cut and get out' practices by sawmills, followed by the Great Depression, most (but not all) of Louisiana forests were left barren fields of stumps.  The National Forest is preserved, thanks to the vision and efforts of Caroline Dorman, the first women forester and a Louisiana native who dedicated her life to horticulture and the preservation of our lands.
 
Located about 45 minutes west of Natchitoches, we opted for Kisatchie District: an area that could be considered an outdoorsman’s paradise. Hidden bayous, bald cypress groves, old growth pine trees, nine scenic overlooks, 12 miles of wilderness hiking trails, canoeing over 20 miles down Kisatchie Bayou, 50 miles of multi-use trails, and a 17-mile scenic byway, complete with panoramic vistas will entice nature and outdoor lovers of all ages with a world of natural beauty.   Special interest areas are: the National Red Dirt Wildlife Management Area (which includes the Kisatchie Hills) and the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness area.
 
As it is a three-hour drive from my home in Baton Rouge, the road trip to Kisatchie leads to some pretty entertaining conversations. My daughter made us listen to a Jonas Brothers CD while she regaled us on the virtuous qualities of Joe Jonas. She announced that he will be our future son-in-law. My son grumbled about how he is not an outdoors person and that he will probably get a bug bite, which will then turn into staph, subsequently killing him, and then we would all be sorry that we had made him go camping. I just handed him a bag of Zapps, patted his hand, telling him I would miss him, but that I did pack the bug spray.
 
OCEANS OF PINE
Once we entered the edge of the forest, we stopped to take the obligatory family picture at the entrance sign, which is a must for any of our family trips. When the kids grow up, they can look back at the photographs and remember just how goofy they really were.
 
We all noticed a strange sight in the landscape­, in the midst of a sea of pines, a few were dotted with white stripes across the middle. My husband, a forester by trade, explained to us that this is a protected area for the Piliated Woodpecker, an endangered bird. When a tree is found to be inhabited by this woodpecker, it cannot be cut down, nor can a certain number of trees surrounding it be felled. This gives the woodpecker a chance to survive. Interestingly, the birds drill holes in the pine trees for their nest and when the sap from the hole drips down the tree trunk, it also deters snakes, creating a natural, sappy ‘moat’ of protection for the chicks.
 
It was a good thing that we were driving up to the Longleaf Vista Interpretive Trail, because Longleaf is a day use area with restroom. With a one and a half mile paved trail, it is a perfect stop to stretch your legs. The kids loved it; they ran up and down stone stairs that lead down from the vista. Unfortunately, it isn’t very accessible for slow movers or wheeled visitors, but the first part of the trail does offer some amazing views.  For a moment I thought I was in the Smoky Mountain National Park instead of the middle of Louisiana. I had no idea places in my state existed like this. It was an ocean of pine trees in every direction.
 
BEACHES ON THE BAYOU
After getting back in the car and heading down a few dirt roads, we found ourselves at the entrance of Kisatchie Bayou, and I was pleasantly surprised at how clean and well kept the campground area looked. It was filled with beautiful old growth---both hardwood and pine trees. We first took a walk upstream to the campsites that were wooded and overlooked the bayou. It was really pretty, but a few of the campsites were already occupied with a quiet looking bunch. Out of respect, we went in search of other campsites downstream where the kids could make as much noise as they wanted.
 
Downstream was my kind of campsite (if there is such a thing!). There were bathrooms and a paved sidewalk, making it accessible for the wheeled visitors. We chose campsite number two for its proximity both to the restrooms and to the path down to the bayou.
 
We could hardly get the tents set up before the kids decided they just HAD to put their swimsuits on and go swimming in Kisatchie Bayou. We took a very short walk down to the small beach area (yes, a beach area), and I spread a towel and stretched out with beer in hand, while the kids and my husband went sliding on algae covered rocks. There was another family there for a picnic and their children were preschool and lower elementary ages.
 
Although this campground has two restrooms--keep in mind-- it is still a primitive site with no running water. The tent pads (located upstream and downstream from the recreation area) are large and include a picnic table, a fire pit and a lantern pole. The fee for the campsite is the outrageous price of $2.00 a day. Be sure to pick up your permit at the front of the campground entrance and place it in your vehicle. There are a few trails that lead from Kisatchie Bayou Campground, but our favorite activity was swimming in the bayou. Even worry-wart moms (like me) will be totally fine with letting their kids swim in the water. It was clear, cool and refreshing.
  
CRICKETS AND CONVERSATION
Sunset found us making a campfire, and we let the kids grill their own hot dogs. Hubby and I enjoyed a selection of cheeses and a bottle of wine that I had (cleverly) snuck into the ice chest. We watched as the stars started to twinkle and a few fireflies graced us with their presence. We all snuggled into our blowup mattress beds (what, you thought I was going to sleep on the ground?) and, we fell asleep listening to frogs, crickets and a few small animals rustling in the bushes.
 
Camping wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. My cell phone had no coverage, which was a blessing in disguise. The kids had no electronics with them, and we spent our time actually talking with each other. Something that is rare for families in this day and age. I wonder if Caroline Dorman actually knew what a fabulous place she would eventually provide for families, when she lobbied for the preservation of this area so many years ago.
 
Have fun with your family. I know I did. Even my little PSP/Wii player ended up enjoying himself when it was all said and done.