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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Site Details
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20 Sites Available
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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
Charles R
VerifiedJune 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
Notified as we were leaving that dump was not open. Would have been helpful if communication the night before. Had yo call several places and travel 12 miles east and pay $10. Otherwise, site was s beautiful and area was nice.
Mack H
VerifiedApril 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: A
We just go and relax..not much for kids to do..no swimming..but they can ride bikes on the trails and there is a playground
Merrilee P
VerifiedApril 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: A
Clean camping area. The trails are really great. Good for all ranges of experience and ages.
John S
VerifiedApril 10, 2021 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
Campground was clean and shaded spacious between sites. Bathrooms and showers were clean which I would attribute to the Campground Host whom I saw regularly checking and cleaning. Only negative is cell reception which was spotty at best.
Sharon C
VerifiedApril 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: A
The electrical outlet kept going out throughout the night. it was very annoying .
Sharon C
VerifiedMarch 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
The playground was a plus for the grandkids. We love the cool outdoors weather. We did have trouble with site 7 electrical outlet. The breaker kept flipping off throughout the night. That was very irritating.
Marvin D
VerifiedMarch 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: A
Abc
Eve S
VerifiedMarch 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: A
This campground was a hidden gem for campers like us who like 30 amp electric but don't need full hook-up. The area was wooded and campers were respectful. Bathrooms and showers were adequate, though only one person (of each gender) could use their respective restroom at a time. Nice area by dam for fishing. Only drawback was lack of connectivity for our US Cellular with Verizon towers.
Vicki T
VerifiedMarch 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
Camp host was fabulous. Shortly after the freeze everything was back on. Power water sewer.
Vicki T
VerifiedMarch 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
Always clean and camp host was fabulous
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
