Is Tom Merrill Recreation Area first-come first-served or reservation?

Tom Merrill Recreation Area 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.

Are there showers at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

Yes, Tom Merrill Recreation Area has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Tom Merrill Recreation Area have?

Tom Merrill Recreation Area has 20 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Tom Merrill Recreation Area. 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 Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

Tom Merrill Recreation Area offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Tom Merrill Recreation Area

4.19

114 reviews

1749 Bodcau Dam Road, Haughton, LA, 71037-7443

This campground is currently closed

It's marked closed by the operator right now, so it isn't taking reservations. We keep the page up so you can still read reviews, photos, and details and plan for when it reopens.

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

210 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Bayou Bodcau Recreation Management Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

210 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Bayou Bodcau Recreation Management Official Website

Get Directions

Tom Merrill Recreation Area

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Group Site Fee$50.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

318-949-1804

I manage this campground

Ask Camp Sage about Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.

Campground Map

1749 Bodcau Dam Road, Haughton, LA, 71037-7443

Tom Merrill Recreation Area

1749 Bodcau Dam Road, Haughton, LA, 71037-7443

Nearby places

Bossier City and Shreveport are 30-45 minutes away.

Weather at Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Best Time to Camp at Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Best season: fall. Fall brings the most comfortable weather and the best balance of activities at Tom Merrill: daytime highs typically range from the mid-60s to upper-70s °F (18–26°C) with cool nights in the 40s–50s °F (5–15°C), lower humidity, and far fewer mosquitoes. Water is pleasant for paddling and shore fishing, upland hardwoods and cypress stands take on subtle autumn tones, and wildlife viewing (including waterfowl and late migrants) is at its peak. Crowds increase during weekend fall foliage and hunting/ Peak months: October, November, September, April Avoid: July, August

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring likely good for birding, mild weather and water activities though not explicit.

Planning Tips

About Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Tom Merrill Recreation Area sits on the shores of Bayou Bodcau Reservoir near Haughton in northwest Louisiana. Operated by Bayou Bodcau Recreation Management, this small campground offers electric and water hookups for tents and RVs, plus modern amenities including showers and a dump station. Campers fish, paddle, and explore the cypress-lined reservoir in a quiet low-elevation setting.

Tom Merrill Recreation Area caters to various camping styles, offering RV and tent sites with modern facilities.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall brings the most comfortable weather and the best balance of activities at Tom Merrill: daytime highs typically range from the mid-60s to upper-70s °F (18–26°C) with cool nights in the 40s–50s °F (5–15°C), lower humidity, and far fewer mosquitoes. Water is pleasant for paddling and shore fishing, upland hardwoods and cypress stands take on subtle autumn tones, and wildlife viewing (including waterfowl and late migrants) is at its peak. Crowds increase during weekend fall foliage and hunting/ Peak months: October, November, September, April Avoid: July, August

Elevation210 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground borders Bayou Bodcau Reservoir, a 33,500-acre landscape mixing cypress swamps, upland forests, and rare Morse Clay Calcareous Prairies. Cypress trees draped in Spanish moss grow along the creek and lowland areas, while mixed pine and deciduous stands cover the uplands. At 210 feet elevation, the terrain blends wetlands with drier forest zones. Alligators and beavers inhabit the water systems. The reservoir's size and variety of habitats support diverse plant and animal communities.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no indication of hotel-style lodging accommodations within the campground.

Programs & ActivitiesThe presence of cultural or educational programs is not mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights. Campers may stay up to 14 nights within a rolling 30-day period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

One RV and up to three tents are permitted per campsite.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations must be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThe campground offers one handicap-accessible RV/Tent site. Additional accessibility features include accessible drinking water, flush toilets, grills, parking, picnic areas, picnic shelters, and showers.

Site SizeSites include RV pads and are equipped with 20/30/50 AMP hookups, making them suitable for larger vehicles.

PrivacySome campsites are closer to the forest, offering more seclusion, while others are more open within the park.

Total Campsites20 campsites

Recommended SitesSites closer to the forest offer more privacy, while open sites provide access to park amenities.

Need help booking Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

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

Tom Merrill Recreation Area offers a variety of amenities suitable for both RVs and tents. The campground features 20 sites, each with electric hookups (20/30/50 amp) and water hookups. Campers can enjoy flush toilets, showers, a playground, outdoor exercise equipment, a dump station, a game cleaning station, and a disc golf course. Additionally, picnic shelters are available but require separate reservations. The campground also includes fire pits, grills, picnic tables, and lantern hangers, all of which enhance the camping experience. Notably, there is a campground host available for assistance when stationed on-site.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Visitors to Tom Merrill Recreation Area can enjoy a wide range of activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and disc golf. Additionally, the area offers unique opportunities for birding, hunting, wildlife viewing, and photography. The nearby Ivan Lake is ideal for fishing and boating, and the campground provides access to trails and outdoor exercise equipment.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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

Rate Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

4.2

114 reviews

Satisfactory

Tom Merrill Recreation Area is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are not provided for this campground.

Review Summaries

Based on 114 reviews

What Campers Love

No user reviews are available to extract positive highlights.

Based on 114 reviews

Common Concerns

No user reviews are available to identify common complaints.

Based on 114 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No user reviews are available to compile tips and recommendations.

Based on 114 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No user reviews are available to analyze seasonal trends.

Based on 114 reviews

Camper Quotes

No user reviews are available to include direct quotes.

Based on 114 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews are available to assess accessibility features.

Based on 114 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews are available to discuss pet-related policies or experiences.

Based on 114 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Tom Merrill Recreation Area

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Group Site Fee$50.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

318-949-1804

Go if

You want a quiet lakeside base camp with electric and water hookups near Shreveport.

Skip if

You need sewer hookups or prefer campgrounds with established user reviews and amenity ratings.

Nearby Campgrounds

1750 Bodcau Dam Road, Haughton, LA 71037-7443

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.

332 Wenks Landing Road, Sarepta, LA, 71071

Wenks Landing sits on Bayou Bodcau Reservoir near Sarepta, Louisiana, offering budget-friendly tent and primitive camping managed by Bayou Bodcau Management. The small campground provides quiet access to cypress-lined bayou channels for boating and wildlife viewing, with basic amenities including flush toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Reviewers praise the scenic, peaceful setting along the water, though some note limited overnight security presence.

Beaver Dam Campground (Kisatchie National Forest, La)

194 Caney Lakes Park, Minden, LA 71055, USA

Beaver Dam Campground sits on the shore of Upper Caney Lake in Kisatchie National Forest, 30 minutes from Minden. Operated by the Caney Ranger District, this small campground offers electric and water hookups, flush toilets, and showers during peak season. Visitors fish the lake, hike and bike forest trails, and enjoy spacious, private sites with lake views.

$25.00 - $50.00 / night

Highly Popular

4.6

(142)

Lake Bistineau Campground

Discover a Louisiana gem where ancient cypress trees rise from tranquil waters and Spanish moss sways in the breeze. Nestled on Lake Bistineau's western shore, this campground blends upland hardwood forests with mesmerizing cypress-tupelo wetlands, offering shaded waterfront sites, cozy cabins, and prime access for boating and fishing adventures. Note that seasonal lake drawdowns for vegetation management may temporarily reveal hidden shoreline features and alter water levels.

Campgrounds

Bayou Bodcau Reservoir

Tom Merrill Recreation Area

About Bayou Bodcau Reservoir

Context for the broader area surrounding Tom Merrill Recreation Area, 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.