Red River Waterway
RV Guide
Introduction
The Red River Waterway district spans the Louisiana parishes of Caddo, Bossier, Red River, Natchitoches, Grant, Rapides, and Avoyelles. It comprises five locks and dams which were completed in 1994 to provide navigation and transportation of the Red River Waterway. The project provides a nine-foot deep, 200-foot wide navigation channel starting at the confluence of the Old and Red River and extending upstream for 236 miles to the cities of Shreveport and Bossier City. The five locks provide a total lift of 141 feet and can accommodate larger barges and towboats.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for the Bennett Johnston Waterway (Red River) Navigation Project, and the Corps, in conjunction with the Red River Waterway Commission, provide 25 recreational areas along the project. Most recreational sites have boat launches, playgrounds, comfort stations, and picnic shelters. Some also have RV dump stations, hiking trails, sports fields, amphitheaters, and scenic overlooks. A detailed description of amenities and facilities available at each site can be found at Red River Waterway Recreation Areas. Overnight camping with excellent RV parks is available at the Colfax and Grand Encore Sites.
Recreational activities in and around the project include amenities for fishing, boating, picnicking, and hiking.
Looking to enjoy the area with an RV? Find RV rentals for the area at RV Rentals Louisiana. Nearby State Parks you can also enjoy with an RV are North Toledo State Park and Lake Bistineau State Park.
RV Rentals in Red River Waterway
Transportation
Driving
The Red River Waterway extends for 236 miles from Shreveport and Bossier City down to the Old and Red River confluence. There are 25 recreation areas along the route and most have large paved parking areas that can accommodate RVs with paved access roads. Detailed directions to each site are available at Red River Waterway Recreation Areas.
RV travelers will find overnight RV camping at Kisatchie National Forest. The national forest is about a 35 minute drive south of the Red River Waterway recreation area at Alexandria. To get to the Kisatchie National Forest RV campground at Kincaid Lake for overnight RV camping from Alexandria head west on Highway 28 for 12 miles to highway 121 at the town of Gardner then head south for ¼ mile to Forest Road 279/Valentine Road and turn left. Proceed 3.5 miles to Forest Road 205 then turn left to head north and reach the campground. The routes are paved and navigable for large RVs and tow vehicles, although heavily forested roads in the park are narrow and have twists and turns so proceed with caution.
Weather conditions in Louisiana along the Red River can be wet, but well paved roads do not present an issue for RV travelers. During winter months, freezing rain in the areas although not common, can create icy road surfaces which are problematic for RVs and tow vehicles.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Red River Waterway
Campsites in Red River Waterway
Reservations camping
Kisatchie National Forest, Kincaid Lake Recreation Area
Overnight RV camping is available in the Evangeline Unit of the Kisatchie National Forest at Kincaid Lake Recreation Area. Modern campsites on two loops in the recreation area are gravel-surfaced and have picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. There are electric and water hookups for RV units available. Amenities include an RV dump station, trash disposal, drinking water supply, showers, and flush toilets. The lake is a 2600 acre reservoir with plenty of recreational opportunities for campers.
Activities at the campground include boating, which is supported by motorized and non-motorized boat launches. Visitors also enjoy swimming, mountain biking, watersports, fishing, picnicking, and hiking. Several excellent hiking trails run from the campground and more are accessible in the national forest areas. Cyclists and equestrians can also use paths in the national forest. A group campground and group picnic area are also situated at the Kincaid Recreation Area as well as sites that provide for primitive camping.
Seasonal activities in Red River Waterway
Off-Season
Hiking
The Ben Routh Recreation Area, Alexandria Levee Park, Boyce, Fort Buhlow, Shreveport Riverview, and Stoner Avenue COE recreation areas have hiking trails or walking paths that hikers can enjoy on foot while visiting the Red River Waterway recreation areas. The Teague Parkway site has a seven-mile walking trail to enjoy for those looking for a longer excursion. More hiking trails can be found in the state and national parks nearby.
During the summer, hot Louisiana weather can make hiking strenuous. Off-season hiking provides cooler conditions, less biting insects, and less traffic to enjoy a nature trek in the Red River area.
Fishing
The Red River Waterway is a great place for fishing from the water surface, access to the river is provided by multiple boat ramps at various COE locations, or from the river banks. Sites at Red Bayou and Natchitoches are especially popular sighing sites.
Species available to catch in the river include black bass, spotted bass, crappie, catfish, bream and sunfish. Commercial fish species buffalo, gar, and bowfin are also found here. Fishing conditions vary depending on the time of year, temperature, and water levels. The offseason may be more conducive for anglers, as sport fish are more active in cooler conditions.
Wildlife Viewing
A large variety of animals make the Red River Waterway in Louisiana their home, including some rare and endangered species. Bring a camera and go wildlife viewing from the river or from hiking trails in the area. Amphibians such as frogs, toads, and salamanders are common. Reptiles include lizards, skinks, and a variety of snakes, some of which are venomous, so use caution. Birdwatchers will be delighted with the abundance and diversity of bird species along the river which include many different species of waterfowl as well as raptors and game birds. Mammals include bobcats, foxes, deer, coyote, raccoon, skunk, beaver, opossum, muskrat and rabbits. During the offseason when fewer tourists are around is a great time to head out and spot some critters.
In-Season
Historic and Waterway Discovery
There are numerous historic sites along or near the Red River Waterway in Louisiana, waiting to be discovered. Check out the bridge at Cross Bayou Historic Park, or visit the Cane River Creole National Historical Park nearby. Interested in how the navigation system of locks and dams along the river operates? Check out the five lock and dam sites to see how commercial and pleasure watercraft use the system of locks to get from one pool area to the next.
Picnicing
There are picnic sites at all of the recreation sites along the J. Bennett Johnson Red River Waterway COE Project. Picnic sites have picnic shelters which are reservable for large groups like family reunions and company picnics. Many sites have comfort stations and playgrounds for use by day use picnickers to the areas.
Some sites like the Alexandria Levee Park also have an amphitheater where live entertainment is regularly scheduled. Pack up a meal and head out to enjoy the Red River Waterway and an outdoor meal. Sites are available most of the year, weather permitting.
Boating
The COE recreational sites along the Red River Waterway provide excellent boat ramps allowing easy access to the river for boaters and water sports enthusiasts. The locks enable continuous travel along the waterway.
Watercraft frequently using the river for recreational purposes include party barges, ski boats, fishing boats, and sailboats. Boaters must have life jackets available on board for all passengers and are warned to avoid hazards such as rock structures, dikes, bridge piers, snags, dredging operations, and construction work. Warm summer weather is ideal for getting out and enjoying the water from a boat.
