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
20 Sites Available
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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
ruth a
VerifiedJanuary 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: A
Very peaceful and quiet. Sites were nice and roomy. The signage for campground entrance was nonexistent so follow signs for the Recreation Area. Dump station was out of commission for our 4 day stay.
Anthony L
VerifiedDecember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: A
Nice place, could use restrooms and showers closer to our camp site, but wasn't bad.
David H
VerifiedDecember 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: A
Great place to camp.
Scott J
VerifiedDecember 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
We were in site 5. When we arrived the water wasn’t working. We had to share the water with the person in site 6. Luckily they had a “tee” to hook both hoses to their site or we would have had no water for the weekend. I was told later that it hasn’t worked for over a year by someone that once booked that site. That site either needs to be repaired or at the very least, but a note on the reservation website that the water is broken so whoever is booking it will have a heads up BEFORE they book that site. That could potentially ruin a weekend if you’re not able to have water hookups on your trip.
Barbara H
VerifiedDecember 14, 2025 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: A
Beautiful campground in WMA area!! Great canoeing, hiking, fishing, and hunting.
Kevin M
VerifiedNovember 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: A
Small quiet Corp park in Norwest Louisiana. Great for hunting and fishing, also has a shooting range Friday-Sunday.
Brian G
VerifiedNovember 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: A
Tom Merrill is one of my favorite campgrounds. It is always clean and quiet and very relaxing.
Carol M
VerifiedNovember 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
I had a wonderful time.The camp host was amazing.I recommend everyone go and try it.
Cory A
VerifiedNovember 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: A
Usually a good time but campers up late partying kept us up all night.
Brian R
VerifiedNovember 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 9, Loop: A
The place was nice and quiet. The bathrooms could have used a little more attention. They also had a game cleaning station which was nice and well lite up if the lights were needed. The little store down the road didn’t have much but they cooked a great breakfast and lunch.
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
