Caddo Lake State Park
This cypress-draped lake on the Texas-Louisiana border is one of the most photographed swamps in the South, and gators are a regular sight from the park's boardwalk, canoe trails, and guided boat tours. Warmer months bring the most gator activity among the cypress knees. Paddling your own canoe gets you closest to the swamp; keep well clear of any gator in the channels and don't paddle straight at one for a photo. Guided tours are a good option if you'd rather not navigate the maze of sloughs yourself.
Know before you go
| Fee | Check operator site |
|---|---|
| Parking | Lot at the park entrance near Karnack |
| Water | — |
| Toilets | — |
| Access | Boardwalk, canoe trails, and guided boat tours |
| Surface | — |
| Hours | — |
| Operator | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
| Website | tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/caddo-lake |
Map
Hand-curated by Gator Atlas from public park and refuge operator information, not pulled from a database.
Last verified: July 21, 2026. See our methodology for how we check listings.