Caddo Lake State Park
in the Central Section
of the Texas Lake Country

Caddo Lake State Park, just outside of Uncertain consists of 483.85 acres along Cypress Bayou, which runs into Caddo Lake. The park was acquired in 1933 and was opened in 1934. The park is accessible from Jefferson and is northwest of Marshall in Harrison County and Carthage in Panola County.

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 an earthquake. The park's original improvements were made by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

Activities:
Activities enjoyed include camping, hiking, swimming, picnicking, nature study, fishing, and boating. There are canoe rentals in the park and pontoon boat tours daily except Wednesday. Tours given periodically; call the park for dates and times.

Facilities:
Facilities include restrooms with and without showers, picnic sites, campsites with water, campsites with water-electricity, campsites with water-electric-and sewer, screened shelters, and cabins that accommodate 2 to 6 people (The 6 person cabins allow up to 6 people but only provide two double beds; customer must furnish additional bedding, cots, sleeping bags, pillows, etc. for 5th and 6th person.) ; Weekly rates available on campsites only.

Facilities also include an interpretive center; a launching ramp, a playground, 1 1/2 miles of hiking trails, a 3/4 mile nature trail, and a trailer dump station.

Natural Features:
Caddo Lake State Park gets its name from Caddo Lake, a sprawling maze of bayous and sloughs covering, 32,000 acres of cypress swamp. The average depth of the lake is 8'-10 ' with the deep water in the bayou averaging about 27.' 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.

Directions:
Travel north of Karnack one mile on TX Hwy. 43 to FM 2198; go east for 1/2 mile to Park Road 2. The park is 15 miles northeast of Marshall and 12 miles east of Jefferson.

Elevation, Weather, and Schedule Information:
Elevation: 237 Weather: January average low is 48 degrees, July average high is 88 degrees. First/last freeze: November 20/March 11. Open: 7 days/ week year round. Busy Season: March through November.

Camping fees vary; entrance fee.
For reservations, call 512/389-8900.
Current conditions including fire bans and water levels can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.

Caddo Lake State Park
RR 2 Box 15
Karnack TX 75661
903/679-3351

For more information go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife web page.