Tom Merrill Recreation Area
Tom Merrill Recreation Area sits downstream of Bayou Bodcau Dam, along the Bodcau Creek. The small quiet campground provides all the facilities of a Class A campground, and is open year-round to visitors. Bodcau Creek 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: electric hookups in Louisiana · reservable in Louisiana · pets allowed in Louisiana · group sites in Louisiana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 20 |
| group shelter electric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
21 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 2 | A | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 3 | A | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 4 | A | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 5 | A | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 3 | Yes | Yes | Standard | |
| 6 | A | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 7 | A | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 8 | A | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 9 | A | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 10 | A | Electric | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 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 | Electric, water |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Standard Electric Site $15.00 per night. Non-electric Site $12.00 per night. |
| Accessibility | Sites 5, 1 are listed accessible |
- Tom Merrill Recreation Area has 20 campsites, all of which have electric hookups. Some campsites are closer to the forest, while some are more open within the park. All sites are within walking distance of the water. Amenities at this recreation area include flush toilets, showers, playground, outdoor exercise equipment, dump station, a game cleaning station, disc golf course, and bike trail. The
- 20 RV/Tent sites (1 Handicap Accessible) with:
- 20/30/50 AMP Hookup
- Water Hookup
- Firepit and Grill
- Picnic Table
- Lantern Hangar
- RV Pad
- Facilities available for all campers:
- Picnic Shelter (requires separate reservation)
- Playground
- Showerhouse & Bathroom
- Game Cleaning Station
- Dump station
- Campground Host available for assistance when stationed on site.
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 left.
| 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
Tom Merrill Recreation Area, Louisiana, a CoE campground at Bayou Bodcau Wildlife Mangemen
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.
Nearby
There are many other nearby attractions including South Abundant East 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.
Guidebooks for Louisiana and the South
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?
Sites at Tom Merrill Recreation Area 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 Tom Merrill Recreation Area?
Standard Electric Site $15.00 per night. Non-electric Site $12.00 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?
Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 01:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Tom Merrill Recreation Area have?
21 sites, including 20 standard sites with power and 1 group shelter electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Tom Merrill Recreation Area?
Tom Merrill Recreation Area is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Does Tom Merrill Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?
Tom Merrill Recreation Area has 20 campsites, all of which have electric hookups. Some campsites are closer to the forest, while some are more open within the park.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Tom Merrill Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?
Sites 5 and 1 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is the nearest town to Tom Merrill Recreation Area?
Haughton, Louisiana. There are many other nearby attractions including South Abundant East Recreation Area, the Durden House, the Rifle Range, a Horse Camp and Horse Trails, ATV/UTV Trails, and Ivan Lake.
Source: Getting there