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
Margaret C
VerifiedAugust 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: A
We enjoy the nature of this place. The campsites are nice and the RV pads make it easy to park your RV.
John D
VerifiedJuly 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: A
Stayed two nights while visiting friends in Bossier City. Nice spacious, shaded, paved sites with water, electric, picnic table and fire ring. Dump station at park entrance. Hot showers with good pressure and separate restrooms. Under $10 a night with military discount! We would stay again.
Diana M
VerifiedJune 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
Bath showers are needing update. Neither shower worked correctly. They were dirty and don’t have any where to set things to stay dry. Water sprayed everywhere
mary m
VerifiedMay 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: A
Site 20 platform is backwards
Showers were very old and in need of updating
Jeff D
VerifiedMay 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: A
I had staytinnthe park the three previous days. I made a mistake and only selected three day instead of four. I was working remotely when the new guest arrived. I quickly saw my error and broke camp. It maybe took 15 minutes and I donated my firewood to them. I went to a public spot in the park and finished my remote shift. During the shift, I made a reservation for that night in an available camp site. I awoke the next morning to a knock on my van. The ranger asked to speak to me. He wanted to see my reservation. I showed him the email. He kept telling me stuff I obviously knew due to my three separate reservations. Why didn't he use his tools to verify good standing? The folks that had to wait for me to move must have said something like " hey, that guy was in our spot yesterday when we checked in. Now he is over there". It is truly disappointing that your ranger, who acknowledged seeing me in all the camp spots, didn't call the office the check "electronically" that I was rent the spots. No! He chose to wake me up and embarrass me.
Lori J H
VerifiedMay 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: A
A lovely area. We always enjoy the beauty and we will keep coming back.
Bruce C
VerifiedApril 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: A
I camped in a tent on site 16 and had travel trailers in sites 14, 15 and 18. The trailer in site 15 strung up lights all around their outside area and left them on all night. The trailer in site 18 did the same. Makes sleeping difficult. Site 15 had 4 dogs that barked most of time during the day. The people had music playing Friday night until 10 and started again with the music the next morning at 8:30. I packed up immediately and went home so I could get a little peace and quiet.
I didn't realize there was so much crime that people had to leave lights on all the time.
Sharon C
VerifiedApril 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: A
The campground fee is reasonable. We love that a playground is on site for the children but the campsites need leveling. A few sites are not good for placing a tent. A few site pool with water after a rain where the ground dips. Before you camp I suggest you check out the sites to see which ones best suit your equipment.
Colton W
VerifiedApril 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: A
Great atmosphere. Hosts were great. Great park for kids. Nice area overall. Will be back.
Aaron B
VerifiedMarch 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: A
Very enjoyable ! Quiet , peaceful. The other camper's were all very respectful of each other's time . Great camp host's. Very courteous and helpful . Will use this campgrounds again !
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
