Caddo Lake shares it shores with northwest Louisiana and northeast Texas. It is the only natural lake in Texas, but Louisiana has a few natural lakes. Caddo Lake covers at least 25,400 and up to 33,000 acres, depending on the climate and rainfall, with depths ranging from eight to 20 feet. Caddo Lake is a swamp, and it is easy to get lost on Caddo Lake.
The Caddo Lake State Park in Texas lies on the southeastern border of Caddo Lake. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department operates the park. Caddo Lake State Park is 16 miles northeast of Marshall, Texas, in Harrison County, covering 478 acres and includes an abandoned thirty-acre log pond. Caddo Lake State Park is also part of a National Wildlife Refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
How Many Campsites Are There At Caddo Lake State Park?
Caddo Lake State park has 53 campsites with different types of hookups. Information and prices are subject to change. Texas State Parks charge a $4 daily entrance fee in addition to any facility and camping fees, unless otherwise stated. Alligators live in the park. There are hot showers, but not near all campsites. Visitors can check campsite availability and make reservations online. These campsites are open year round.
Check out this short review of Caddo Lake State Park.
Hookups & Campsite Amenities
There are eight full hookup campsites in the Woodpecker Hollow campground. Tents are not allowed in these sites. Two are wheelchair accessible. Each site allows eight people maximum. They are $20 per night plus a daily entrance fee. These sites are equipped with:
- Picnic table
- Outdoor grill
- Fire ring
- Water hookup
- Sewer hookup
- Restrooms nearby
- 50-amp electric
There are 18 tent campsites with electricity located in the Armadillo Run and Squirrel Haven campgrounds. Tents must be on the 15’ x 15’ tent pad. Two are wheelchair accessible. Each site allows eight people maximum. They are $15 per night plus a daily entrance fee. These sites provide:
- Picnic table
- Fire ring
- Water hookup
- 30 amp hookup
- Lantern post
- Restrooms nearby
- Upright grill
There are 20 campsites with water only in the Mill Pond Camping Area. Motor homes and trailers are not permitted in this campground. Tents must be on the 15’ x 15’ tent pad. Two are wheelchair accessible. Each site allows eight people maximum. Generators may not run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. They are $10 per night plus a daily entrance fee.
The bridge into the Mill Pond Campground has a maximum 5,000-pound Vehicular Load Rating. If your vehicle and its contents exceed 5,000 pounds, you should not drive across this bridge. There is a parking area immediately before this bridge where you can park and walk in, or you can upgrade to another campground that does not use this bridge. These campsites come equipped with:
- Picnic table
- Outdoor grill
- Fire ring
- Water
- Restrooms nearby
There are seven 12' X 16' screened shelters, with a maximum of eight people per shelter. Two are wheelchair friendly. Screened shelters are $25 per night plus a daily entrance fee. All shelters are locked. If you will arrive after 4:45 p.m., contact the office during office hours from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. for access information at (903) 679-3351. These sites provide:
- Picnic table
- Outdoor grill
- Water
- Electricity
- 20 amp hookup
- 30 amp hookup
- Restrooms nearby
Caddo Lake State Park rents historic cabins. Two are wheel chair accessible. They range from two to six-person cabins, and several are ADA accessible. If arriving after 4:45 p.m., you are responsible for calling the park during office hours 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. to ensure cabin access. Please call ahead so you are not locked out of your cabin. If arriving after hours, you must register at the office by 10 a.m. the next morning. Six person cabins are $115 per night, four person cabins are $95 per night, and two person cabins are $75 per night.
You must provide your own pillows, bed linens, towels, kitchenware, and soap. Pets are not allowed in cabins or the cabin area. Campfires are not allowed in cabins or the cabin area. Each cabin has a grill for charcoal use only. No wood burning is allowed. When making your reservation, note that Friday night and Saturday night must be booked together. There is no availability for arrival on Sundays. Please set your reservation to arrive Monday through Friday.
Cabins #1, #5, and #9 sleep six, but you must bring your own beds for the 5th and 6th persons. These cabins allow six people per cabin. Cabins #2 and #8 are one-half of a duplex and sleep four people. Cabins #3 and #7 sleep four people. There is a limit of four people. Cabins #4 and #6 have no refrigerator or stove with a limit of two people. Cabin #10 sleeps two people and does not have a bathroom.
The six and four person cabins come with:
- Kitchen sink
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
- Stove without oven
- Table and chairs
- Bathroom Sink
- Toilet
- Shower
- Bathtub
- Gas fireplace
- A/C & heat
- Water
- Electricity
- Waist-high grill outside
- Picnic table outside
Campground Amenities
Caddo Lake has a plethora of amenities. You can rent the group hall with a kitchen for up to 100 people and 32 vehicles from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is $200 with a daily entrance fee, plus a $100 refundable deposit. The kitchen/storage area has a refrigerator, freezer, stove, sink, and a microwave.
The hall has a dining area, a lodge room with a fireplace, a conference/meeting room, men's and women's restrooms without showers. All areas have central air and heat. Twelve folding tables, 100 plastic chairs, and a large outdoor grill are available. The Group Hall provides:
- A/C unit
- Heater
- Fireplace
- Outdoor grill
- Water
- Electricity
- No pets
- Kitchen sink
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
- Table and chairs
- Bathroom Sink
- Toilet
- Gas stove with oven
Caddo Lake State Park has one boat ramp and a fishing pier. Caddo Lake supports over 70 species of fish. The store at the park is located at 245 Park Road 2, Karnack, Texas. Visitors can rent equipment, like a canoe and other watercraft rentals, buy gifts, souvenirs, and Caddo Lake apparel. The Visitor Center and Museum has historical exhibits and an Ebird Trail Tracker for reporting your wildlife sightings.
There is access to 50 miles of paddling trails on Caddo Lake for canoes and kayaks. The playground for children is small and has a few swings. A day use fee is charged per person per day in addition to facility use fees. It is $4 per day, per person, for ages 13 and older. Children 12 years and under are free.
There are several parking lots scattered throughout the park. The park hosts Ranger Programs on the nature and history of the park and surrounding area, as well as hikes and paddles. Kids can earn Junior Ranger patches.
Hiking Trails
Caddo Lake State Park has four short, well-marked hiking trails. The Caddo Forest Trail is a moderate 0.7-mile trail with two sections of steps that usually take an hour to hike.
The Pine Ridge Spur is an easy 0.2-mile trail that takes 15 minutes. This short trail is an easy connector between two trails. You can hike through the upland pine forest and find yourself in a bottomland hardwood forest as you continue on the Caddo Forest Trail.
The Pine Ridge Loop is a 0.7-mile moderate trail that takes about one hour. Follow this trail to see the lesser-known side of Caddo Lake State Park. Portions of this trail are steep.
The CCC Cut-Through is a 0.2-mile moderate trail that takes 15 minutes. It is short but steep and features two staircases, including one built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It begins at the fishing pier and connects to the rest of the trails.
Pets at Caddo Lake State Park
You can bring your pets to Caddo Lake State Park and almost all Texas State Parks. Here are the rules:
- Pets must be on leash, in a car, or in a crate at all times. The leash can be no longer than 6 feet.
- You must be with your pet at all times. You may not leave your pet unattended in the park, in a vehicle, or at your campsite.
- Do not bring a noisy or dangerous dog to a state park.
- Pets are not allowed in any state park buildings. This includes motels, cabins, screened shelters, group facilities and restrooms.
- You must pick up your pet’s waste and put it in the trash.
- Pets are not allowed in the water or on the land around a designated swim area.
- Your pet must have a current rabies vaccination, and you must have proof with you.
- If you break these rules, you and your pet may be asked to leave.
- Some of these rules do not apply to service dogs helping a person with a disability.
Texas State Park Passes
You can save money with Texas State Park Passes at Caddo Lake and all Texas State Parks. The Texas State Parks Pass is good for one year and includes:
You will have unlimited free entry to 89 state parks for you and your guests. The pass holder must be present to get free entry. The pass offers discounts on camping, but restrictions apply, park store purchases, and equipment rentals, plus other special offers. A Texas State Parks Pass costs $70 and is issued to one person, the pass holder.
You can buy a second pass for someone who lives at the same address as you for $25. You cannot purchase a pass for someone else. If you want to give a pass to another person, please purchase a gift card instead.
The Texas Parklands Passport may qualify visitors for a free Texas Parklands Passport. Parkland Passport benefits apply only to the pass holder and a companion. We offer four parklands passports:
Senior Partial: If you are 65 years old or older and are a Texas resident, you qualify for the Senior Partial passport good at Texas state parks that charge entry fees. With this pass, you and a companion pay 50 percent off the entry fee rounded to the next whole dollar. For example, if the entry fee is $3, each of you will pay $2.
Senior Full: If you were born before Sept. 1, 1930, you qualify for the Senior Full passport. With this pass, you and a companion can enter any Texas state park for free.
Disabled Veterans: The Disabled Veterans passport allows free entry to Texas state parks for a U.S. veteran with a 60 percent or more service-connected disability or loss of lower extremity. A companion gets free entry, as well.
Disability: If you are medically disabled, you qualify for the Disability passport, good at Texas state parks that charge entry fees. With this pass, you and a companion pay 50 percent off the entry fee rounded to the next whole dollar. For example, if the entry fee is $3, each of you will pay $2.
Book a Trip
You can check availability of campsites, make reservations, and pay your fees for any campsite, RV site, or facility online. Check availability and make an online reservation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Start your adventure at our Caddo Lake State Park campground listing.
