East Texas Treasure

Bald cypress trees draped with Span­ish moss tower over the maze of bayous, sloughs and ponds of Caddo Lake. Paddle these waterways, stay in a historic cabin, or try your luck fishing. Discover an East Texas treasure!

Things to Do

At Caddo Lake State Park, you can fish, paddle, hike, picnic, camp or stay in a cabin, look for a geocache, and go boating. Rent our group hall for your next reunion!

Alligators live in the park; read our alligator safety tips before your visit.

Fish: Access the 26,810-acre Caddo Lake, which harbors more than 70 species of fish. We have a fish­ing pier and a boat ramp. You do not need a fish­ing license to fish from shore in a state park. 

Paddle: Explore Caddo Lake’s twists and turns. Rent a canoe in the park or bring your own canoe or kayak. You can also venture onto more than 50 miles of paddling trails in the Caddo Lake area (scroll down to the Pineywoods section).

Stay:

• Choose from 46 campsites, ranging from water only to full hookup sites.
• Stay at a screened shelter.
• Rent one of our historic cabins. These range from two- to six-person cabins, and several are ADA accessible.

Hike: Explore the forest afoot. One-quarter mile of the Caddo Forest Trail is ADA accessible. Learn more on our Interactive Trails Map page.

Shop for gifts and souvenirs at the park store.

Volunteer: Visit our Volunteer page to see how you can help.

Donate: Support state parks by donating to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.

Ranger Programs

We lead programs on the nature and history of the park and surrounding area, as well as hikes and paddles. Check our Events page for upcoming programs.

Learn more:

• Check out exhibits at head­quarters on the colorful history of this area.
• Download the Interpretive Guide to Caddo Lake State Park (PDF).
• Visit our Nature and History pages.
• Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram!

Kids: Become a Junior Ranger!

• Borrow an explorer pack, loaded with tools for exploring the park.
• Pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal. Complete tasks to earn a badge.

Teachers: This is a Texas Aquatic Science Certified Field Site.

Civilian Conservation Corps: The CCC built the dining hall, cabins and many other park facilities in the 1930s. To learn more, visit our History page.

Area Attractions

Nearby cities include:

• Marshall, home of the Starr Family State Historic Site
• Karnack, childhood home of Lady Bird Johnson
• Jefferson, once the largest inland port in Texas

Take a boat tour! Schedules depend on the weather:

• Shady Glade Marina, Motel and Restaurant - (903) 789-3295
• Jefferson Landing Riverboat - (903) 665-2222
• Johnson’s Ranch Marina - (903) 789-3213

For other information:

• Marshall Chamber of Commerce - (903) 935-7868
• Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau - (800) 551-8682.