Caddo Lake State Park

Caddo Lake feels like you accidentally wandered into Louisiana. Ancient bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss rise out of dark, tea-colored water, and the maze of bayous, sloughs, and channels makes it feel more like a swamp than a Texas lake. This is the only natural lake in Texas (sort of — the dam raised the water level), and paddling through the cypress forest in a canoe is one of the most otherworldly experiences in the state. The CCC-built cabins on the shore are some of the most charming accommodations in any Texas state park.

56 campsites|East Texas|4 hr 30 min from Austin|$4/person entrance fee

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Campsite Types

Water + Electric

$20/night

Big Cypress Loop · Sites 1-19 · 19 sites

Water, 20/30-amp ElectricRV OKTent OK

Water + Electric

$20/night

Saw Mill Pond Loop · Sites 20-38 · 19 sites

Water, 20/30-amp ElectricRV OKTent OK

Water Only

$15/night

Piney Point Loop · Sites 44-56 · 13 sites

WaterTent OK

Walk-in Tent

$12/night

Bayou Loop · Sites 39-43 · 5 sites

Water nearbyTent OK

Cabin

$85/night

Lakeshore Loop · Sites C1-C10 · 10 sites

Electric, AC/Heat, Full Kitchen

Guide to Caddo Lake State Park

Best Campsites

For Families:Sites 20-38 (Saw Mill Pond) — water + electric, close to the boat ramp and restrooms

For Privacy:Sites 44-56 (Piney Point) — water only, at the far end of the campground, quieter

For RVs:Sites 1-19 (Big Cypress) — water + electric, the most accessible sites for larger rigs

For Couples:Cabins — 10 CCC-built stone and wood cabins on the lake shore, AC, screened porches, full kitchens

When to Go

March through June and September through November. Summers are extremely hot and humid. Spring is the best time for wildflowers in the surrounding forest and ideal paddling conditions.

Tips

→Rent a canoe or bring your own — you haven't experienced Caddo Lake until you've paddled the bayous
→The maze of channels is easy to get lost in — seriously. Bring a GPS or stick to marked paddling trails
→Mosquitoes and humidity are intense from May through September — come prepared
→The CCC cabins are fantastic but book up months in advance — they're the crown jewels of the park
→Try to catch a foggy morning on the lake — the cypress trees emerging from the mist is unforgettable
→There are alligators in Caddo Lake — admire them from a distance

Highlights

Paddling through cypress bayous draped in Spanish mossOnly natural lake in Texas — a designated Ramsar Wetland of International Importance10 historic CCC-built cabins right on the waterWorld-class fishing — bass, crappie, catfish, and chain pickerelCanoe and kayak trails through the flooded cypress forestHauntingly beautiful landscape unlike anywhere else in Texas

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