Caddo Lake State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Situated in a remote area in the Piney Woods region of East Texas, Caddo Lake State Park offers a captivating landscape and ample opportunities for outdoor fun. Long before the park was established in 1993, the Caddo tribe called these lands home for hundreds of years. This 488-acre park has water access to Caddo Lake, which many people believe was formed by an earthquake or a major log jam on the Red River. Saw Mill Pond is also a notable feature in the park thanks to its looming bald cypress trees and haunting, swamp-like environment.
Nearby Cities
Karnack, TX
Uncertain, TX
Smithland, TX
Baldwin, TX
Spring 52 - 78 F
Summer 68 - 93 F
Fall 56 - 85 F
Winter 35 - 60 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Caddo Lake State Park
Campground Accommodations
Woodpecker Hollow Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 65 feet
Other amenities: Outdoor grill, fire ring, picnic table, restrooms nearby
Squirrel Haven Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly:
Max RV length: 56 feet
Other amenities: Upright grill, picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, restrooms nearby
Armadillo Run Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 61 feet
Other amenities: Upright grill, picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, restrooms nearby
Mill Pond Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 43 feet, max vehicle weight 5,000 pounds
Other amenities: Upright grill, picnic table, fire ring, restrooms nearby
Caddo Lake State Park Campground
From historic screen-in cabins to paved camping spots, there are many ways to camp at this state park. Rates start at $10 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Lantern post, fire ring
Pine Island RV Park
Gravel, level parking spots are available at this well-maintained campground, and you can get free firewood for a campfire. Rates start at about $35 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Laundry facilities
BackWater Jacks
The owner of this campground moved to East Texas when he was just 6 and discovered a miraculous environment on Caddo Lake that he wanted to share with others. Rates start at about $30 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Private boat ramp, laundry facilities
Buffalo Bayou RV Park
This pet-friendly, 20-site campground on Big Cypress Bayou features a private boat ramp. Rates start at about $30 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Private boat ramp
What to Do at
Caddo Lake State Park
Sitting on gorgeous swamplands with Big Cypress Bayou and Saw Mill Pond onsite and access to Caddo Lake, the state park is well-suited for both land and water adventures. From paddling and fishing to hiking, viewing wildlife, and more, there are many wonderful ways to spend your time. At Caddo Lake State Park, you can also take advantage of amenities like a children's playground, an amphitheater, a park store, and a visitor center with a museum
Inside Caddo Lake State Park
Bring along your photography gear because you will want to take photos at this state park. Additionally, throw the canoe or kayak on top of your rig so you can join in on the fun on the water. Fishing is good on this lake that often yields trophy-size largemouth bass, and you can often catch your limit of catfish. You will find many wonderful opportunities to hike and picnic under the tall canopy of trees. Kids can pick up an explorer’s pack in the park’s office and complete activities to earn a badge.
Fishing
Visitors can fish in the state park off the fishing pier without a license. The 26,810-acre Caddo Lake is accessible via Big Cypress Bayou, and a boat ramp is available in the park. These bodies of water are home to more than 70 fish species.
Geocaching
Several caches have been strategically placed throughout the park, making it a great place for geocaching enthusiasts to spend time. Simply open your geocaching app in Caddo Lake State Park to discover the GPS coordinates.
Nature Watching
Caddo Lake State Park is teeming with wildlife, including alligators, armadillos, snakes, deer, frogs, and raccoons. You can also spot bird species like red-bellied woodpeckers, Carolina chickadees, blue herons, black vultures, and others.
Stargazing
It takes almost an hour to reach the nearest sizable city, which is Shreveport, Louisiana. Because of the park's remoteness, conditions are optimal for stargazing in many areas. However, some areas of the park are heavily wooded and may not be ideal.
Flora and Fauna
In addition to the many birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles that are native to this unique landscape, Caddo Lake State Park is home to a diverse range of plant life. Some species include water lilies, cypress trees, American lotus, Greenbriar, and American sweetgum.
Hiking
Four trails are located on the park grounds that are specifically reserved for foot traffic. Collectively, the trails cover almost two miles, and they are rated as easy and moderate. Some routes take you to Saw Mill Pond and the Civilian Conservation Corps Pavilion.
Boating
A boat launch is available in the Mill Pond Campground. From this location, you can follow the 8.8-mile Hell's Half-Acre Trail for canoes and kayaks. Boating is also allowed on Saw Mill Pond and Big Cypress Bayou, and you can rent canoes at the park office.
How to Get to
Caddo Lake State Park
If you are traveling to Caddo Lake State Park from Shreveport, follow Interstate 20 West. Take the Highway 80 exit to reach Marshall. Then, turn right on Highway 43. Just north of Karnack, turn right on Road 2198. You will then see the sign for the park entrance on the left.
If you are traveling from Texarkana, take Highway 43 south through Atlanta. Continue a few miles past the intersection with Highway 49. Before you reach Karnack, turn left on Road 2198. The park entrance will be on the left, a few miles down the road.
By Car
Entering Caddo Lake State Park
Parking is available in designated areas throughout the park, including at the campgrounds and near the trailheads and boat launch. The daily entrance fee is $4 for visitors 13 years and older. Younger visitors can enter at no cost.
Whether you want to immerse yourself in a serene landscape to get away from it all or you have exciting adventures in mind, Caddo Lake State Park offers an ideal experience with many fun activities available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caddo Lake State Park
With the summer's heat and humidity and the frigid temperatures common in the winter, spring and fall are popular times to visit Caddo Lake State Park. Because the park has limited camping and RV sites, advance reservations are recommended during these seasons.
Caddo Lake State Park has a unique ecosystem that is an ideal habitat for reptiles, amphibians, and mammals who thrive in swamp land. In addition to being a natural habitat for numerous bird species, you may spot alligators, snakes, deer, raccoons, armadillos, frogs, and others as you explore the park.
There are camping spots suitable for RVs in all the park's campgrounds except the Mill Pond camping area. Each site has a grill for preparing food, a fire ring, a picnic table, and restrooms nearby.
Reservations are not required at Caddo Lake State Park, but they are strongly recommended. The nightly rate for Squirrel Haven and Armadillo Run is $20, and the rate for Woodpecker Hollow is $25.
Pets are permitted in all outdoor areas at Caddo Lake State Park. They must remain on a leash no longer than six feet, and you are expected to clean up after your four-legged family members.
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