Caddo Lake State Park
245 Park Rd 2
Karnack TX 75661
903/679-3351
Thick bald cypress and a tangle of aquatic plants thrive in the waters at Caddo Lake State Park. Because the vegetation is so lush, much of the lake is really a maze of sloughs, bayous, and ponds. The park affords excellent access to the diverse fishing in Texas. Also popular are the park's quaint cabins, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's
Activities & Area Attractions
Activities: Activities enjoyed include camping, hiking, swimming, picnicking, nature study, fishing, and boating. There are canoe rentals in the park, Jon boat with motor rentals (outside the park about 6 miles away), and pontoon boat tours daily except Wednesday.
- Detailed fishing & lake information for Caddo Lake.
- More Information on outdoor activities from the Experience Texas page.
Tours: Tours given periodically; call the park or Check the Calendar of Events for this park for dates and times.
Area Attractions: Nearby attractions include Starr Family State Historic Site in Marshall; and nearby, Karnack is the childhood home of Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson and the Old City of Jefferson, famous as the commercial center of northeast Texas during the first half of the 19th century. Boat tours are offered by a number of operators on the lake. Schedules are dependent on the weather. Shady Glade Marina, Motel and Restaurant 903/789-3295; Caddo Lake Steamboat Company 903/665-1665; Jefferson Landing Riverboat 903/665-2222. Historic Jefferson Tour Headquarters handles the following information for Jefferson and Caddo Lake: tours, tickets and information on many events, including riverboat excursions, horse-drawn tours, home tours, city trolley tours, train rides, horseback riding, general information, souvenirs, gifts, and steamboat tours on Caddo Lake - 222 E. Austin St., Jefferson, Texas 75657; 903/665-1665. Marion County Chamber of Commerce - 903/ 665-2672; Marshall Chamber of Commerce - 903/935-7868; Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau - 800/551-8682.
Camping Facility & Fee Information.
History and Nature
This lake was the only natural lake in Texas until it was artificially dammed in the early 1900's when oil was found and for flood control in 1914. A new dam replaced the old one in 1971. Caddo Indian legend attributes the formation of the lake to a giant flood. Scientists believe the lake formed when floodwaters, blocked by massive log jams on the Red River, backed up into the Cypress Bayou watershed, forming the lake.
The park's original improvements were made by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Begun by Company 889 in June to November of 1933 and completed by Company 857 between October 1934 and March 1937. The U.S. Army had 15 barracks and an Army mess hall that were converted into the 9 log cabins and group recreation hall that we use today. There is also a CCC pavilion and remnants of original picnic sites and a latrine along the trails.
Flora/Fauna: Caddo Lake State Park gets its name from Caddo Lake, a sprawling maze of bayous and sloughs covering, 26,810 acres of cypress swamp. The average depth of the lake is 8'-10' with the deep water in the bayou averaging about 20.' An angler's delight, the lake contains 71 species of fish. It is especially good for crappie and large-mouth and white bass. Naturalists can enjoy stately cypress trees, American lotus, and lily pads, waterfowl, alligators, turtles, frogs, snakes, raccoons, minks, nutrias, beavers, squirrels, armadillos, and white-tailed deer.
More information on the wildlife mentioned here:
Elevation: 237
Weather: January average low is 48 degrees,
July average high is 88 degrees. First/last freeze: November
20/March 11.
Schedule, Directions & Maps
Schedule:The
park is open 7
days a week year round. There is no gate
Busy Season: March through November.
Directions: Travel north of Karnack one mile on State Highway 43 to FM 2198;
go east for 1/2 mile to Park Road 2. The park is 15 miles northeast
of Marshall. Park
Location Map 
(PDF 55.9 KB)
Maps:
Park
Facility & Trail Map
(PDF 131.4 KB)
Current conditions including, fire bans & water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744