Caddo Lake State Park in Texas, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-11-01. Check linked official notices before travel.

Caddo Lake State Park in northeast Texas offers cypress scenery, wooded walking and historic cabins beside Big Cypress Bayou. Plan a land-based visit this November: the park’s boat ramp and canoe rentals are closed because of extremely low water.

Enjoy the bayou from the park

Bald cypress and Spanish moss shape the landscape. Walk the Caddo Forest Trail and look at the Civilian Conservation Corps structures, or reserve a cabin to spend longer in the woods. The trail includes steps, so choose a route your group can comfortably manage.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Give alligators a wide margin

Keep at least 30 feet from an alligator. Back away slowly if one is close, never feed or harass it, and notify park staff if one approaches people. Supervise children near the water. Keep pets leashed within six feet and prevent them from entering or drinking from the water.

Follow the burn ban at your campsite

Bring a cooking plan that complies with the current burn ban. Do not light wood or charcoal even if a site has a fire facility. Check the park alerts immediately before travel for changes to fire and water access restrictions.

Book entry and accommodation separately

The park can be busy from March through November, so reserve day entry or accommodation ahead. The authorized booking page normally opens campsites and cabins five months ahead, and day passes one month ahead. Confirm the Christmas closure and any maintenance dates before paying.

Arrive at Park Road 2

Use 245 Park Road 2, Karnack, TX 75661. Contact the office before its closing time if an overnight arrival will be late. An ungated entrance does not remove cabin check-in requirements.

A refuge and another Texas state park

Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge has visitor access via Spur 449 and T. J. Taylor Avenue in Karnack, across the railroad tracks; recreational access is sunrise to sunset. Daingerfield State Park is a separate road outing at 455 Park Road 17, Daingerfield, with gates normally open 6 a.m.–10 p.m.

Make walking the main activity

The park has 2.5 miles of hiking trails. Use the Caddo Forest Trail for woodland walking and views of CCC work, accounting for its steps. Keep the outing on land while the boat ramp and canoe rentals are closed; the trees and bayou still provide a setting for a slower visit.

Choose a campsite or a cabin

There are 46 campsites and cabins for two to six people. Two cabins are ADA accessible. The park’s CCC pavilion and historic buildings are part of the developed visitor area. Confirm the exact accommodation and access needs with staff when reserving.

About Caddo Lake

CCC buildings remain in use

Civilian Conservation Corps workers built cabins and a dining hall here in the 1930s. The buildings give an overnight stay a direct connection with the park’s early development.

A living wetland landscape

Alligators live here. Observe from a safe distance and never use food to attract them. Cypress trees and hanging Spanish moss provide the characteristic wetland scenery.

Contact

Call 903-679-3351 or email [email protected]. Use the official park page and alligator safety guidance to prepare.