Live Simple Live Free: Boondocking in the south 4 by 2 months

Traveling through east Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, you will find many national forest sites for some free dispersed camping. The following group takes you on a leisurely trip to relax and spend two months in nature. In this series of free camping spots, I selected 4 places you can stay for 14 days each. After each 14 day stay, visit a low cost campground with full services to take that long hot shower and recharge your batteries. After your water tank is full, you can travel along to the next boondocking adventure. Two months and you only have to pay for for those 4 nights camping.

So start in East Texas and work your way to the Natchez Trace. After a full 2 months of free camping, head on up the Natchez Trace Parkway for more fun and camping.

The Davy Crockett National Forest contains 160000 acres of east Texas woodlands. Part of the forest is the Ratcliff lake which is the start of the 20-mile-long Four C National Recreation Trail. You can hike in 10 miles with your tent and stay overnight. If you are looking for that primitive solitude for a little book reading and quiet, located along the Neches River is the Big Slough Wilderness Area. There are lakes in the area for canoeing or fishing.  If you take a canoe trip into the Big Slough, you might see a bobcat or river otter -- or even a mountain lion or a bear.

Dispersed camping is allowed in the forest year round except during hunting season where you will have to stay in one of the hunting camps for your own safety.

Corney Lake Reservoir is part of the Corney Lake Recreation located in Northern Louisiana Nearby there is a paved boat launch with loading pier and separate fishing pier, picnic tables, lantern posts, fire rings and benches, ample parking is provided along with restrooms and trash receptacles. If you aren't want to go boating or fishing there are numerous trails throughout the forest marked as multi-use trails for biking, hiking or horseback riding. The area is just a great place to relax and enjoy nature.

From Homer, Louisiana take Louisiana Hwy 9 north 18 miles to the recreation area sign at FR 900. Turn east onto FR 900 and travel just over 2 miles. Turn left (north) on FR 901 and proceed past the day-use/boat ramp signed road to the camp sites on the left.

The 472 campground is split by highway 472 and is located in the Catahoula National Wildlife Management Preserve in Central Louisiana. This camp is located between two beautifully scenic streams, Indian Creek and Bear Creek. White-tailed deer, small game mammals, songbirds, raptors, waterbirds, reptiles, and amphibians are commonly seen throughout the refuge. 75000 ducks have been recorded as making their habitat here in the winter time. If you like to hunt, you can get a license and hunt here.

From Alexandria, take U.S. Highway 167 north for 23 miles. Turn right (northeast) on Louisiana Hwy 472 and go 6 miles. The Hwy 472 Camp is on the right or the left.

Rocky Springs is the first camp ground outside of Natchez as you drive along the Natchez Trace. The Natchez Trace was  the walking path that travelers took back to Tennessee and Kentucky after bringing their goods down to sale. The Indians were using the trace long before that and you can find archaeological sites along the way. It is a nice drive with no commercial vehicles allowed on the parkway. Rocky Springs is an old settlement built in the 1700 that today contains hiking trails that will take you to the only things left of the settlement. Don't forget to take a visit to the Vicksburg National Military Park while you are in the area.

Pick up the Natchez Trace in Natchez, Ms and follow the parkway until you see the signs for the campground.