Caddo Lake State Park
Karnack
903 679-3351
Website
Texas Outside Rating: 7.8

Type:  Camping - State Park

Map: Campsite Map

Reservations: Click here

Texas Outside Favorite Sites: 65, 60, 59, or 45 and screened shelters 10 or 17

Brief Overview: 
Caddo Lake State Park is an excellent, very clean park on Caddo Lake, which is a Texas Outside Favorite. You need to visit this park to explore Big Cypress Bayou and the only natural lake in Texas. Caddo Lake (28,610 acres) and Big Cypress Bayou are a maze of bayous and sloughs that wind through the cypress trees and lily pads.

This 484 acre park provides easy boat access to Big Cypress Bayou which leads into Caddo Lake. It is a lot of fun to cruise the Bayou as it winds its way to Marshall and Caddo Lake. Within the park is Saw Mill Pond for canoeing and fishing.

Amenities and Fun Things To Do:
Caddo Lake State Park has 65 sites some of which are full hookups. The also have primitive camping, 8 screened shelters, and 9 very cool log cabins that were built in the '30s. Some of the other amenities include: dual boat ramp, fishing pier, day use area, amphitheater, interpretive center, canoe rentals, pontoon boat tours, playground, and recreation hall.

There are two nice hiking trails through the trees, one of which is 1.5 miles and the other is three quarters of a mile.

A Typical Texas Outsider Day:

If you have a boat, Caddo Lake State Park is an excellent place to stay to explore Big Cypress Bayou. Start the day with a cruise west winding through the cypress tress to Marshall. This trip requires some local knowledge, an excellent map, or some good luck to actually find Marshall -- but it is well worth the trip. If you're heading to Marshall for the first time, ask the local fishermen for directions and check with each one you pass to ensure you're headed the right way. There is a small sing on a tree pointing to where you turn left for the slough to Marshall, but it is very easy to miss. Near the train bridge, you will see a boat ramp and sandy beach to park the boat. From there it is a two block walk to explore the antique shops of downtown Marshall.

On the way to or from Marshall, break out the skis or board. Big Cypress Bayou is a narrow river and absolutely perfect for skiing or boarding -- there's never much boat traffic and the water is always perfect -- but don't get cocky and ski near the shore because of the protruding cypress knobs. There is also a small bar and restaurant on the north bank -- stop in for a cold one.

The next day head your boat east down Big Cypress Bayou and take a small slough which is barely wide enough for a boat to Caddo Lake. Again, there you need some help finding this because it is not marked -- ask the local boaters for directions. It is very easy to get lost, so be mark your route and remember landmarks. What an experience and I won't even try to describe it, you need to experience it first hand! Big Cypress Bayou and Caddo Lake will provide some excellent skiing or boarding opportunities.

Cool Nearby Activities:
We haven't explored the local area, so I can't make any recommendations. Within the park are two short trails for hiking, a couple fishing piers, and a canoe rental. If you don't have a boat, rent a canoe or take the pontoon boat tour and explore Big Cypress Bayou.

Caddo Lake State Park
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