How much does camping cost at South Abutment East?

Camping fees at South Abutment East range from $15/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is South Abutment East first-come first-served or reservation?

South Abutment East accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at South Abutment East before I book?

Yes! South Abutment East has 20 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit South Abutment East?

South Abutment East is open March 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at South Abutment East?

South Abutment East does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does South Abutment East have?

South Abutment East has 12 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at South Abutment East?

Yes, pets are allowed at South Abutment East. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at South Abutment East?

South Abutment East offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at South Abutment East?

Popular activities at South Abutment East include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

South Abutment East

Q: Can I have a campfire at South Abutment East?

Fire policies at South Abutment East: All Campfires MUST be confined to the fire rings that are provided or to personal grills. Fires may never be left unattended. To remove potential hazards for future users, extinguish campfires and remove fire debris before leaving.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

3.30

7 reviews

1750 Bodcau Dam Road, Haughton, LA 71037-7443

Top 24% in LAFall

Featured in:Fishing Louisiana#3 Spring Camping Louisiana Fall Camping Louisiana +2 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

177 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Bayou Bodcau Recreation Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

177 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Bayou Bodcau Recreation Official Website

Get Directions

South Abutment East

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Tent Sites: $15.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Standard Site Fee$15.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

318-949-1804

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Campground Map

1750 Bodcau Dam Road, Haughton, LA 71037-7443

South Abutment East

1750 Bodcau Dam Road, Haughton, LA 71037-7443

Nearby places

Bossier City (30-45 minutes), Shreveport (30-45 minutes)

Weather at South Abutment East

Current alerts(11)

All pets MUST be on a leash no longer than six (6) feet long.
Campground follows all rules from Title 36, part 327, Code of Federal Regulations. A full copy of Title 36, part 327, Code of Federal Regulations can be obtained from one of the Park Rangers, the Campground Hosts, or at the Bayou Bodcau Main Office.
Check out time is 1:00 PM. Check in time is 3:00 PM.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Don't Move Fire Wood: for further information.

Best Time to Camp at South Abutment East

Best season: fall. Fall offers the most comfortable combination of mild temperatures (typically daytime highs in the mid-60s to low-80s°F and cool mornings), much lower humidity than summer, and excellent wildlife activity as migratory birds move through and bayou edges flush with color. Water levels after late-summer rains and autumn storms often create great boating and fishing conditions while trails are easier to enjoy without sweltering heat or heavy bugs. Expect busier weekends from September through early- Peak months: October, November, September, April Avoid: July, August

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 24% in LA

Fall offers mid-60s to low-80s days, lower humidity; listed as peak season Sept–Nov.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: March 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About South Abutment East

South Abutment East sits on Bayou Bodcau Reservoir near Haughton, Louisiana, operated by Bayou Bodcau Recreation as a seasonal campground with tent and primitive options. The low-elevation setting offers direct reservoir access for boating and fishing, plus trails for hiking and biking through bayou country. Designated quiet hours help balance the active boat ramp atmosphere, and fall brings mild weather with excellent migratory bird viewing along the water's edge.

South Abutment East offers primitive camping exclusively at its 12 tent sites, which are equipped with basic amenities. The campground does not cater to RVs, group camping, or cabin lodging.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the most comfortable combination of mild temperatures (typically daytime highs in the mid-60s to low-80s°F and cool mornings), much lower humidity than summer, and excellent wildlife activity as migratory birds move through and bayou edges flush with color. Water levels after late-summer rains and autumn storms often create great boating and fishing conditions while trails are easier to enjoy without sweltering heat or heavy bugs. Expect busier weekends from September through early- Peak months: October, November, September, April Avoid: July, August

Elevation177 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a forested area within the Bayou Bodcau ecosystem, where Spanish moss hangs from cypress trees and mixed deciduous forest transitions to pines. The landscape transforms with rainfall: during dry periods, it's a wooded lowland; after heavy rains, water fills the reservoir basin to create marshes and cypress swamps. Elevation sits at 177 feet. The diverse terrain supports alligators, beavers, migratory birds, and rare Morse Clay Calcareous Prairies. Morning mist often drifts through the cypress stands, and upland areas rise into rolling forested hills.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground is limited to primitive campsites and does not provide hotel-style accommodations.

Programs & ActivitiesThe John Haygood Nature Trail and Durden House Environmental Education Center provide historical and educational experiences.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 nights in a 30-day period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 guests per site.

Groups

No designated group camping sites are available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations must be made through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAccessible amenities include campsites, flush toilets, boat ramps, and drinking water. Paved pathways enhance accessibility, though detailed descriptions for accessibility features are limited.

Site SizeThe size of the campsites is not explicitly stated, but the sites are described as shaded and nestled within the forest.

PrivacyPrivacy levels vary; some user reviews mention that campsites are tightly packed together, reducing privacy.

Total Campsites12 campsites

Recommended SitesFor quieter experiences, avoid campsites near the boat ramp (e.g., Site 3) due to bright lights and noise.

Need help booking South Abutment East?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

South Abutment East, located upstream of Bayou Bodcau Dam, is a Class B campground open year-round. It provides access to various recreational amenities, including a boat ramp, hiking/biking trail, flush toilets, potable water spigots, and shaded campsites. Each of the 12 campsites has a picnic table, fire ring, grill, lantern pole, and trash can, making it well-equipped for primitive camping. The area is described as being nestled within the forest, and all sites are within walking distance of Bodcau Reservoir.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

South Abutment East offers a wide range of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, bird watching, and hunting. The campground is adjacent to a large wildlife management area and features a nearby playground, disc golf course, and a seven-mile mountain biking/hiking trail loop.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Cultural and Educational Programs

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyAll Campfires MUST be confined to the fire rings that are provided or to personal grills. Fires may never be left unattended. To remove potential hazards for future users, extinguish campfires and remove fire debris before leaving.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM

Trash & RecyclingEach campsite is equipped with a trash can, but no specific recycling facilities are mentioned.

Cell CoverageThere is no specific mention of cell phone reception in the campground.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

3.3

7 reviews

Mixed Reviews

South Abutment East has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for South Abutment East are mixed, with some praising the cleanliness and quiet nature of the campground, and others criticizing the lack of privacy and nearby disturbances.

Review Summaries

Based on 7 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 7 reviews.

Site 6Loved
Site 6: Praised for being clean and quiet.
Site 3Issues noted
Site 3: Complaints about bright lights and lack of privacy.

What Campers Love

"Very clean and quiet. Very relaxing getaway." (Dale B, campsite 6)

Based on 7 reviews

Common Concerns

"The campsites are jammed together tightly... if anyone else had been there they would have been right on top of us." (Nathan M, campsite 3). Additionally, Nathan M also mentioned issues with bright...

Based on 7 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers are advised to select sites away from the boat ramp to avoid bright lights and potential disturbances. Reserving early is recommended as the campground operates on a by-reservation-only basis.

Based on 7 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Seasonal review trends are not specifically identified, but the campground may be less appealing during hunting season due to noise and activity in the area.

Based on 7 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The facilities at each campsite are exactly as advertised, you get a picnic table, grill, fire ring, and adjacent wilderness." (Nathan M, campsite 3). "Very clean and quiet. Very relaxing getaway."...

Based on 7 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are not directly mentioned in user reviews.

Based on 7 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific reviews address pet-related experiences.

Based on 7 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want affordable waterfront camping with boating and fishing access during the milder fall months.

Skip if

You need secluded, dark campsites away from boat ramp activity and vehicle traffic.

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Campgrounds

Bayou Bodcau Reservoir

South Abutment East

About Bayou Bodcau Reservoir

Context for the broader area surrounding South Abutment East, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Bayou Bodcau in LA and AR is a flood-control project with no permanent pool. A major waterfowl management and upland game management area is located here. The cabin of an original settler of the area is available for use by the public in classroom study.

Directions

From Shreveport, LA, 20 miles east on I-20, then north on LA 157 to Bellevue, 2 miles north on a county road.