Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Shaded Class A Campsite
Shaded Class A Campsite #6
Shaded Class A Campsite #8
Outlet Channel Steps - Fishing Pier
Shaded Class A Campsite #7

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Showers Showers
Playground Playground

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

20 total sites

RV Sites

20 sites

Tent Sites

20 sites

About 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.  The campground has no designated fee booth and is by-reservation-only, so all reservations must be made through recreation.gov. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance or upon arrival; we recommend reserving prior to entering the campground. For more information on Bayou Bodcau, please visit the following website. (https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Bayou-Bodcau/)

Number of accommodations: 20

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Jun 1 to Aug 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Showers Showers
Playground Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Playground
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

20 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 10, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 11, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 12, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 13, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 14, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 15, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 16, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 17, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 18, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 19, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 2, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 20, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 3, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 4, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 5, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 6, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 7, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 8, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 9, Loop: A
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available

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.

Review Summary

4.0
169 reviews
5
47.3%
80
4
28.4%
48
3
11.8%
20
2
5.3%
9
1
7.1%
12

Marion Y

Verified

March 13, 2022 Stayed at: 20, Loop: A

5

Park well kept. Friendly people. Enjoyed our stay.

Troy F

Verified

February 28, 2022 Stayed at: 17, Loop: A

5

Nice spots, nice restrooms/showers.

David M

Verified

February 28, 2022 Stayed at: 11, Loop: A

4

NA

lenny l

Verified

February 20, 2022 Stayed at: 20, Loop: A

4

Clean well kept

Thomas B

Verified

February 7, 2022 Stayed at: 17, Loop: A

5

We had a very enjoyable weekend. The hiking trails from the RV area were great! The shooting range (across the dam) is well managed. The RV park manager does a fine job with up-keep around this area. Our other family members plan to kayak here, when the weather is warmer. Not much, if any, Verizon internet access, but we found that if we drive (or walk) over to the bathrooms, as you enter the nearby tent area on the other side of the dam, we got a good signal & could check our phone messages and emails. There is a hiking trail near the tent area, but we didn't attempt that one (much longer, and more challenging). Maybe, next time? We camped here in a 37 foot motorhome, and the spot that were in had plenty of room for our RV & our tow vehicle. The 50amp power box provided excellent power supply. We didn't use the water from the park, as we used our RV's on-board water (& water pump) through the weekend but the water & power supply were conviently placed (rear driver's side of the RV). We did notice that some of the RV spots had the power & water supply on the passenger side of the RV. All in all, it was a pleasant weekend experience. We shall return.

ed w

Verified

February 6, 2022 Stayed at: 10, Loop: A

5

hostess was very helpful. We enjoyed our stay here.

ed w

Verified

February 4, 2022 Stayed at: 11, Loop: A

4

Camp host was extremely helpful and friendly. Great small campground. Well run. Clean

shelley s

Verified

January 25, 2022 Stayed at: 8, Loop: A

5

Jan 2022-site #8- nice level camp sites. Neat and clean. Will go back.

Dee Jaye T

Verified

January 24, 2022 Stayed at: 5, Loop: A

5

Clean, Quite nice trails good fishing

Elizabeth S

Verified

January 23, 2022 Stayed at: 13, Loop: A

5

Great quiet place.

Location Tom Merrill Recreation Area

Address:
1749 Bodcau Dam Road
Haughton, LA, 71037-7443
United States

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

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