How much does camping cost at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

Camping fees at Tom Merrill Recreation Area range from $12-$20/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.

What is the best time to visit Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

Tom Merrill Recreation Area is open September 1 - November 30 (Peak Season). 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.

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.

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

Q: Can I have a campfire at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

Fire policies at Tom Merrill Recreation Area: Only fires in provided rings/grills are allowed. No outside firewood permitted. Firewood cutting permits are available onsite for fallen deadwood.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.19

114 reviews

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

Summer Destination

Featured in:Fishing Louisiana

Quick Facts

210 ft

Price

$12 - $20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Bayou Bodcau Recreation Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

210 ft

Price

$12 - $20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Bayou Bodcau Recreation Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Tom Merrill Recreation Area

$12.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Electric Site costs $15.00 per night; Non-Electric Site costs $12.00 per night. Peak season rates are $20.00 per night for Standard Electric...

Standard Site Fee$15.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$50.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

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

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

318-949-1804

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.19

Satisfactory

Based on 114 reviews

Most mentioned

views

"User reviews are not provided for this campground."

Read all reviews

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.

Nearby supplies

Grocery stores and other supplies are accessible in nearby cities such as Bossier City and Shreveport, approximately 30-45 minutes away.

Best Time to Camp at Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Experience the dramatic seasonal transformations of Bayou Bodcau throughout the year. Summer brings languid days where the creek slows to a gentle whisper, creating mirror-like waters perfect for peaceful paddling and fishing. As winter arrives, the landscape awakens with abundant rainfall, transforming Bodcau Creek into a rushing torrent that showcases nature's raw power. Each season offers its own unique charm and recreational opportunities, ensuring year-round appeal for adventurous spirits.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Peak season is Sept–Nov; fall listed as prime time for visiting (wildlife, milder weather).

Planning Tips

Peak Season: September 1 - November 30 (Peak Season). Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round. Peak season runs from September 1 to November 30.

About Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Nestled downstream from the Bayou Bodcau Dam, Tom Merrill Recreation Area beckons outdoor enthusiasts to discover a tranquil escape along the winding Bodcau Creek. This premier Class A campground offers 20 thoughtfully designed campsites, each equipped with electric hookups and water access, creating the perfect basecamp for exploring the rich wilderness of Bayou Bodcau Reservoir. Whether you're seeking a peaceful weekend retreat or an extended adventure, this quiet sanctuary provides easy access to fishing, boating, and wildlife watching opportunities that make every stay memorable.

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

Historical Significance

Step into a living museum where Louisiana's natural heritage towers above you in the form of magnificent 'Champion Trees' – some of the largest and oldest specimens in the entire state. This treasured landscape serves dual purposes as both a sanctuary for these ancient giants and a carefully managed wildlife area that draws hunting enthusiasts from across the region. Here, conservation and recreation blend seamlessly, preserving traditions that have shaped Louisiana's outdoor culture for generations.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic seasonal transformations of Bayou Bodcau throughout the year. Summer brings languid days where the creek slows to a gentle whisper, creating mirror-like waters perfect for peaceful paddling and fishing. As winter arrives, the landscape awakens with abundant rainfall, transforming Bodcau Creek into a rushing torrent that showcases nature's raw power. Each season offers its own unique charm and recreational opportunities, ensuring year-round appeal for adventurous spirits.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in an enchanting tapestry of Southern wilderness where ancient cypress trees draped in Spanish moss create cathedral-like canopies over mysterious swamps. The diverse landscape seamlessly blends lowland marshes with upland forests, where towering pines mingle with deciduous hardwoods. This remarkable ecosystem shelters an array of rare and endangered species, while adventurous visitors might glimpse prehistoric alligators gliding through dark waters or industrious beavers engineering their aquatic kingdoms. Every trail and waterway reveals new wonders in this biodiverse paradise.

Geological RegionSpanning an impressive 33,500 acres, Bayou Bodcau showcases one of Louisiana's most diverse geological treasures. From the hauntingly beautiful cypress swamps draped in ethereal moss to the surprising Morse Clay Calcareous Prairies – rare geological formations that support unique plant communities found nowhere else in the region. This remarkable landscape weaves together lowland wetlands, upland forests, and mixed stands of deciduous trees and pines, creating a complex ecosystem that represents millions of years of geological evolution and natural adaptation.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

3:00 PM

Check-out

1:00 PM

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.

Groups

No information on designated group camping sites is provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe campground includes 20 sites with electric hookups and amenities like fire pits, picnic tables, and lantern hangers. Sites are either closer to the forest or open within the park.

Reservation PlatformsReservations must be made via Recreation.gov.

Walk-in AvailabilityThe campground is by-reservation-only; walk-up availability is not offered.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled any time before arrival. A $10 cancellation fee applies, along with potential forfeiture of the first night's fees for late cancellations.

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

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

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.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include encounters with wildlife such as alligators and beavers. Burn bans may be enforced during dry periods.

Fire PolicyOnly fires in provided rings/grills are allowed. No outside firewood permitted. Firewood cutting permits are available onsite for fallen deadwood.

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

Emergency ServicesFor emergencies, contact local authorities in Haughton, LA, including the Sheriff's Department. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries also enforces regulations in the area.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection facilities are available, but specific details about recycling or schedules are not mentioned.

Water FeaturesAll campsites are within walking distance of Bodcau Creek.

Camp HostCampground Host is available for assistance when stationed onsite.

Weather at Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Trip Planning Tools

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

Reviews

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

Site-Specific Reviews

No specific site reviews are available as user feedback is not provided.

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

0 review

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Tom Merrill Recreation Area? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.

Last updated March 8, 2026

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Need help planning your trip?

Ask Camp Sage for personalized camping recommendations

Campgrounds

Bayou Bodcau Reservoir

Tom Merrill Recreation Area