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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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
William S
VerifiedApril 10, 2024 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: A
Very good considering I started out on my first adventure in an” 30y old renovated A 2004 Air Stream just to view the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse in Joplin, Arkansas.
Charles M
VerifiedApril 8, 2024 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: A
the campsite was very clean and easy to park and hookup, the only thing I did not care for was the bathrooms they were not clean
Dawn L
VerifiedMarch 31, 2024 • Stayed at: 3, Loop: A
We really liked this campground. However, there was no water to the sink in the women’s restroom….had to wash hands in men’s with the door open.
Robert L
VerifiedMarch 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: A
Play area has tons of broken items. Male bathroom has a leaking sink that floods the bathroom and leaves 2” of water everytime you use the restroom. Showers have cut of water bottles as the shower heads.
These things make this camp site one of the worst I’ve ever visited.
Catherine S
VerifiedFebruary 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: A
Enjoyed our time. Beautiful spot.
Dee Jaye T
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: A
Quite, Clean place great trails. Easy access to Reynolds Grocery if you want the best burger in town.
Robert W
VerifiedDecember 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: A
Let me start out by stating that i was born and raised in Haughton LA. I started hunting the WMA there when i was eight years old until i was seventeen and moved to Texas, Currently i am sixty two years old now and have never forgotten my childhood experiences there.
The sights sounds and smells there are unlike any other place in the world.
Louisiana has now provided hunting license's for native born Louisianan's, I plan to come twice a year until i am unable to return.
I plan on camping during the spring and during every hunting season.
I have thought about all my childhood experiences there and they are some of the best memories i have.
Darrell D
VerifiedDecember 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: A
We had an awesome time. Almost perfect park. Very peaceful, well kept and clean. Only thing to make it better would be to have sewer hook-ups at the RV sites.
kenneth s
VerifiedNovember 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: A
Showers need attention! Can’t keep clothes dry, lights do not work, heaters do not work, and the shower head is literally a water bottle!
Sally W
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: A
Park was clean and well maintained
Our stay was quiet and enjoyable
Will be back
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
