Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates20 total sites
RV Sites
20 sites
Tent Sites
20 sites
About Tom Merrill Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 20
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Showers
Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Showers
On Site Services
- Playground
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Reviews (169)
What Guests Are Saying
Tom Merrill Recreation Area is praised for its clean, spacious campsites and friendly hosts, making it a popular spot for fishing, canoeing, and outdoor activities. Visitors appreciate the serene atmosphere, well-maintained grounds, and positive experiences at the nearby store. While some facilities, like hot water in the showers and signage, need improvement, many campers express their intention to return, highlighting the campground's charm and peacefulness.
What Guests Are Saying
Tom Merrill Recreation Area is praised for its clean, spacious campsites and friendly hosts, making it a popular spot for fishing, canoeing, and outdoor activities. Visitors appreciate the serene atmosphere, well-maintained grounds, and positive experiences at the nearby store. While some facilities, like hot water in the showers and signage, need improvement, many campers express their intention to return, highlighting the campground's charm and peacefulness.
Review Summary
Stephen C
VerifiedMay 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: A
Great place. Several really nice sites. Nice to fish from bank. Channel cat and large bream on this trip. Cell service with T-Mobile very spotty. Very friendly host. Stay was 2 weeks. Go several times a year and will be back soon.
Scott J
VerifiedApril 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
Stayed in site #5 again. All the previous issues that we had with that site have been repaired.
Anna Keith F
VerifiedApril 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: A
Our campsites were clean and spacious. The camp host was super nice and attentive. All the grounds were well maintained. The only down side was that the hot water wasn't working in the shower house, but the repairs were being made.
The store at the end of Bodcau Dam Road, I think it's called Reynolds, had an amazing hamburger and great service. Be sure to try it out.
We will definitely camp here again!
Celeste P
VerifiedApril 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
I had a wonderful experience at this quaint campground. Although there was no hot water in the aged and decrepit single stall shower building, the peace and quiet of the area was appreciated. I stayed an extra two nights. FRI-SAT after occupying a mostly empty campground with only 4 of 20 sites in use. To my surprise, as campers started rolling in force at 3:30 Fri afternoon, the area became alive but not crazy. A group of 3 fellows camped next to me who were quiet and respectful. The camp vibe was more energetic on Fri night but totally subdued before 10 pm on Sat. I would gladly camp here again tho I hope the shower water heater can be made functional.
Terry M
VerifiedApril 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: A
nice campsites water and electric, dump station, day camp area adjoins, locals use the day camp for picnics, kids have play ground, easy launch of kayak or canoe also fishing from bank both above and below the dam
Don J
VerifiedApril 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
Enjoyed the stay, clean park. We were there for an achery tournament at the Bodcau WMA next door to the campground with a great 3D range.
There is also great fishing next to the park.
Marshall J
VerifiedMarch 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: A
Great place to camp. Our only 2 issues was, no hot water for showers and the 30amp receptacle didnt work, luckily I had a 50amp adapter.
Donald F
VerifiedMarch 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: A
Quiet, serene, beautiful setting.
Mark M
VerifiedMarch 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: A
Hot water not working in showers. Other than that it was a great campsite.
Cliff R
VerifiedMarch 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: A
Good campground
Location Tom Merrill Recreation Area
Address:
1749 Bodcau Dam Road
Haughton, LA, 71037-7443
United States
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.
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
3PM
Check out time
1PM
General
- 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. Regulations are enforced at Bodcau by our Park Rangers, the local Sherif’s Department and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Only one RV and three tents allowed per site.
- It is required you clean your campsite before you leave.
- Length of stay policy is 14 days in a 30 day period.
- The unauthorized placement of camping equipment or other items on campsite and/or personal appearance at a campsite without daily occupancy for the purpose of reserving the campsite for future occupancy is prohibited (title 36 section 327.2C).
- Playground is closed after dark.
- All pets MUST be on a leash no longer than six (6) feet long.
- Speed in the campground is ten (10) MPH. Remember to be vigilant, there are children in the campgrounds. The campground road is a one-way road. Vehicles must be parked on your site, not obstructing others. (ATV's can only be loaded and unloaded from trailers in park.)
- Quiet time is strictly observed; please keep other campers in mind as they often have children trying to sleep. Violation may result in citation or eviction.
- There is absolutely no dumping of gray water (wash water, dish water, bath water, and cooking water) on the ground at any time.
- 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.
- No outside firewood allowed; obtain or purchase firewood at or near your camping destination and burn it on-site; firewood can carry invasive insects and diseases that destroy forests. Firewood cutting permits may be obtained at the Bayou Bodcau Main Office. Only fallen deadwood may be collected. Absolutely no fires during burn bans. Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
- The picnic shelter located at Tom Merrill Recreation Area can be reserved up to 6 months in advanced by reserving online at Recreation.gov or by calling the reservation line at (877) 444-6777. The fee is $50 per day, with a max capacity of 75 people. (Reservations must be confirmed at least 1 day prior to the date of reservation. Payment by card only.)
- 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.
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Last updated: August 6, 2026
