South Abutment East
South Abutment East sits upstream of Bayou Bodcau Dam. The small quiet campground is a Class B campground, and is open year-round to visitors. Bodcau Creek and Reservoir provides fishing and boating opportunities, along with hiking/biking trails and other recreation. Bayou Bodcau is a large wildlife management area, and is very popular during hunting season for deer and other wild game. Downtown Bossier City and Shreveport are only a 30-45 minute drive away, and have many opportunities for other interests such as museums and restaurants. Bodcau is well off the main travel roads, so traffic and other noise issues are of no concern.
More like this: reservable in Louisiana · pets allowed in Louisiana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 12 |
Site guide
12 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 2 | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 3 | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 4 | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 5 | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 6 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 7 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 8 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 9 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 10 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 01:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Non-Electic Sites $12.00 per night. |
- South Abundant East Recreation Area has 12 campsites, all of which are primitive and contain a fire ring, grill, picnic table, lantern pole, and trash can. All campsites are shaded, and feel like they are nestled within the forest. All sites are within walking distance of the water and the life jacket loaner station at the boat ramp. Amenities at this recreation area include flush toilets, disc go
- 12 Tent sites with:
- Firepit and Grill
- Picnic Table
- Lantern Hangar
- Trash can
- Facilities available for all campers:
- Flush toilets
- Potable water spigot
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Interstate 20, take exit 33 and head North on State Route 157. Drive 9 miles and turn right on Bodcau Dam Rd. Drive 3 miles and destination will be on the right.
| Nearest town | Haughton, Louisiana |
| Area | Recreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 32.70° N, 93.51° W. Call the office before you drive. |
Good to know
- The campground has no designated fee booth and is by-reservation-only, so all reservations must be made through recreation.gov.
Charges and cancellations
Last minute changes and cancellations may be subject to additional fees.
Explore
Video
Campground Review | South Abutment | Coldwater, MS
Natural features
Bayou Bodcau is 33,500 acres of public land, much of which consists of moss-laden cypress swamps. The area also consists of lowland and upland areas, consisting of mixed deciduous or pine forests. Bayou Bodcau is considered a "dry reservoir", and only fills up during periods of high rainfall. The creek can be slow moving and almost stagnant during the dry summer, but a swift and deep torrent during the cooler winter. The area is home to a diverse group of natural areas, and hosts some rare and endangered species. Alligators, beaver and more can be found amongst the forest and swamps. Cypress Swamps, Bottomland Forests, Morse Clay Calcareous Prairies and more can be found within the project boundaries. The project is also home to some of the largest trees in the state, and such "Champion Trees" have been found and recorded at multiple locations throughout the park. Bodcau is also home to 500 acre Ivan Lake, which is a small but well-maintained lake for fishing and boating. The lake is known to be popular with local fisherman, and wildlife such as Bald Eagles can be spotted there.
Recreation
South Abutment East offers visitors many recreation opportunities. Within the immediate recreation area, a boat ramp gives access to Bayou Bodcau Reservoir; a life jacket loaner station is available free of charge. A mountain bike/hiking trail starts just across the street in Tom Merrill Recreation area. The trail system loops back and forth and is approximately 7 miles long. A playground/exercise area is located just outside the campground and within walking distance. Additionally, there is a large picnic shelter which can be rented out for special events. Water activities, such as boating, kayaking/canoing and fishing are available on both sides of the dam. Gravel boat ramps allow for small boats to put in on either side. The Bayou is home to numerous fish species including Black Bass, Spotted Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Buffalo, Carp, Gar, Bowfin and various species of bream and sunfish. Hunting is available in the wildlife management areas around the project during regular hunting season. Numerous game species can be hunted, including squirrel, rabbits, dove, quail and other species of small game, deer, turkey, and waterfowl.
Nearby
There are many other nearby attractions including Tom Merrill Recreation Area, the Durden House, the Rifle Range, a Horse Camp and Horse Trails, ATV/UTV Trails, and Ivan Lake. Ivan Lake is a small local lake well known for fishing, boating and birding. Bossier City and Shreveport are within 30 to 45 minutes drive of the campground. The area consists of many different attractions, including museums, a minor league Hockey team, and Barksdale Air Force Base, which has a small museum attached to it. Bossier City also has a large Convention Center where events are often held. There's also other natural attractions, including Red River Wildlife Refuge in Bossier City.
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at South Abutment East?
Sites at South Abutment East are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at South Abutment East?
Non-Electic Sites $12.00 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at South Abutment East?
Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 01:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does South Abutment East have?
12 sites, including 12 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to South Abutment East?
South Abutment East is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at South Abutment East?
South Abundant East Recreation Area has 12 campsites, all of which are primitive and contain a fire ring, grill, picnic table, lantern pole, and trash can. All campsites are shaded, and feel like they are nestled within the forest.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at South Abutment East?
Yes, pets are allowed at South Abutment East. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at South Abutment East?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at South Abutment East?
South Abutment East offers visitors many recreation opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to South Abutment East?
Haughton, Louisiana. There are many other nearby attractions including Tom Merrill Recreation Area, the Durden House, the Rifle Range, a Horse Camp and Horse Trails, ATV/UTV Trails, and Ivan Lake.
Source: Getting there