How much does camping cost at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

Camping fees at Tom Merrill Recreation Area range from $20-$50/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

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.

Can I see photos of campsites at Tom Merrill Recreation Area before I book?

Yes! Tom Merrill Recreation Area has 36 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 Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

Tom Merrill Recreation Area 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 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.

Can I have a campfire at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

Fire policies at Tom Merrill Recreation Area: 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.

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?

Pets are not allowed at Tom Merrill Recreation Area. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

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

What activities can I do at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

Popular activities at Tom Merrill Recreation Area include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Tom Merrill Recreation Area

0 review

C-Report Card

Summer Destination

Featured in:Fishing Louisiana

Quick Facts

Price

$20 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsShowers

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

$20 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsShowers

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Tom Merrill Recreation Area

$20.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Picnic Shelter: $50.00; RV/Tent Sites: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

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

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

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

318-949-1804

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Tom Merrill Recreation Area

48.1314, -103.2376

Nearby places

Bossier City — ~30–45 minutes

Shreveport — ~30–45 minutes

Weather at Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Current alerts(13)

All pets MUST be on a leash no longer than six (6) feet long.
At the end of your stay, visitors must fill out a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Self Check Permit located at the entrance to Tom Merrill Recreation Area at the top of the hill Adjacent to the Bodcau Dam Road.
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.

Best Time to Camp at Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Best season: fall. Fall delivers the most comfortable weather and the best balance of water levels for boating and fishing — expect daytime highs around 55–75°F with cool, crisp mornings and much lower humidity. Autumn rains can top up the bayou and creek, improving access for boats and concentrating fish, while hardwoods and cypress take on muted fall tones that make hiking and wildlife viewing especially rewarding. Visitor levels are typically low to moderate (weekends busiest), so you’ll get quiet campsites and Peak months: October, November, March, April

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Described as the best season: comfortable temps and ideal water levels for boating and fishing.

Planning Tips

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

About Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Tom Merrill Recreation Area sits about 30 to 45 minutes from Bossier City and Shreveport, offering seasonal tent and RV camping with electric and water hookups near bayou and creek access. The small campground draws visitors for fishing, boating, and trail exploration, with clean facilities and helpful hosts maintaining a quiet atmosphere. Level sites with dedicated RV pads make setup straightforward, and fall brings the best conditions for water activities and wildlife viewing.

A Class A campground serving RV and tent camping with full electrical and water hookups at each of the 20 sites; open year-round and reservation-only through recreation.gov.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall delivers the most comfortable weather and the best balance of water levels for boating and fishing — expect daytime highs around 55–75°F with cool, crisp mornings and much lower humidity. Autumn rains can top up the bayou and creek, improving access for boats and concentrating fish, while hardwoods and cypress take on muted fall tones that make hiking and wildlife viewing especially rewarding. Visitor levels are typically low to moderate (weekends busiest), so you’ll get quiet campsites and Peak months: October, November, March, April

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies part of the Bayou Bodcau project area, a 'dry reservoir' where water levels rise and fall with rainfall. Moss-laden cypress swamps and bottomland hardwood forests surround the campsites, transitioning to upland pine and the rare Morse Clay Calcareous Prairies farther out. Some of Louisiana's Champion Trees. Officially recorded for their size. Grow within the project boundaries. Bald eagles hunt above nearby Ivan Lake's 500 acres of open water, and the outlet channel offers wildlife viewing. Alligators and beavers inhabit the darker backwaters.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation Platformsrecreation.gov

AccessibilityOne handicap-accessible campsite; campground host available for assistance when stationed on site.

Site Size20 RV/Tent sites with RV pads; sites vary in proximity to forest or more open park areas; all sites are within walking distance of the water.

PrivacySome sites are closer to the forest (more secluded) while others are more open; privacy varies by site.

Total Campsites20 campsites

Recommended SitesReserve in advance via recreation.gov (reservations accepted up to 6 months in advance) or arrive for potential walk-up reservation. Choose forest-adjacent sites for more shade/privacy or open sites for more exposure; picnic shelter requires a separate reservation.

Best CampsitesSite 8 gets specific mentions from reviewers for being level and easy to set up. Some sites sit closer to the forest for more seclusion, while others are more open. All sites are within walking distance of the water.

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

Class A campground with 20 RV/tent sites (one handicap-accessible), all sites have electric hookups and water hookups; amenities include flush toilets, showers, dump station, playground, picnic facilities, game cleaning station, disc golf course, bike trail, and a campground host when staffed.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Recreation centered on Bodcau Creek and nearby Ivan Lake, offering fishing and boating, trails for hiking and biking, wildlife viewing, and on-site recreational amenities such as a disc golf course and playground.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

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

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From Booking Sources

0.0

0 reviews

Limited Reviews

Tom Merrill Recreation Area has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers consistently praise Tom Merrill Recreation Area as a quiet, clean and well‑maintained Corps of Engineers campground with friendly hosts. Campers highlight plentiful outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, biking, paddling, frisbee golf) and roomy, level sites that are family‑friendly.

Review Summaries

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in reviews.

site #8Loved
Several reviewers mentioned specific sites: site #8 noted as a nice level site; site #5 and #10 described as roomy/spacious; site #6 received multiple…
site #1Loved
Loop A is referenced most often (one reviewer noted site #1 in Loop B as very quiet).

What Campers Love

Quiet atmosphere; clean, roomy and level campsites with RV pads that make parking easy; friendly and helpful camp hosts; good restrooms/showers (clean even if older); excellent nearby outdoor...

Common Concerns

Very few complaints—some reviewers noted restrooms and showers are older but kept clean. No recurring issues with staff, safety, or site maintenance were reported in the reviews provided.

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Pick a level site (site #8 was called out) if you want easy setup; expect roomy sites and RV pads for easier parking. Bring gear for hiking, fishing and paddling; families will appreciate the...

Seasonal Insights

Positive feedback appears consistent across months and seasons (reviews include winter months such as January and February), with many visitors remarking the campground remains quiet and enjoyable...

Camper Quotes

"Tom Merrill is a perfect getaway. HIking, biking, frisbee golf, paddling and fishing right outside your camper door. The campground is clean and well-maintained. We love it there."; "Very nice,...

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Tom Merrill Recreation Area

$20.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Picnic Shelter: $50.00; RV/Tent Sites: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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

Nearby Campgrounds

Little Missouri State Park

Ironstone Campground at Little Missouri State Park offers a secluded, rugged camping experience in western North Dakota's Badlands, ideal for unplugging amid stunning river and canyon views. Primarily catering to horse campers with corrals and over 40 miles of equestrian trails, it blends primitive and modern sites in open grassy areas along the Little Missouri River. The park spans 4,600 acres of remote Badlands terrain with buttes, colorful striped formations, and river wetlands.

$15.00 - $25.00 / night

Campgrounds

Bayou Bodcau Reservoir

Tom Merrill Recreation Area

C-

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 17% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 198 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A-.Crowds & noise
Grade B+.Bugs & weather
Grade B.Belonging

Watch-outs

Grade C-.Facilities
Grade C-.Scenery
Grade C.Getting there

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Louisiana grades overall

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.

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Fishing in Louisiana