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Top Tourist attractions in Karnack, United States

Top Rated Tourist attractions in Karnack

Top Reviewed Tourist attractions in Karnack

Reviews

Had a great time! I was greeted by 2 park rangers that had a couple of tables set up for the park’s 90th anniversary. They were friendly and informative about the animals at the park. Put in kayaks at the boat ramp. Gorgeous scenery.
Neat park. Nice museum. Great fishing and kayaking lake. We enjoyed the scenery with the cypress trees and Spanish moss. There’s a really neat old saloon out in the middle of the lake.
Anne Davis
at 2024 Jun 21
Anne Davis
at 2024 Jun 21
Staff was great! Shout out to Suzanne who was awesome! Campground had nice sites and fantastic bathroom facilities. The canoeing was good in Saw Mill Pond - see the beaver lodge- but the Bayou was filled with motor boats so 1/2 mile out and back was enough. Other canoe trails on the Bayou are nearby and might be much better. Small park all-in-all; only 2.5 miles of hiking but lots to do in the area.
Check-in was seamless. We arrived after hours from Oklahoma. Only spent 1 night. Camping sites were clean. Bathrooms were bathrooms at a park. Showers were great, hot water was good. Beautiful nature and Spanish moss! If you’re camping in a tent, bring bug spray.
the park is excellent!!! to be honest I think it should be more than a state park. it’s much more fun than Hot springs!! it’s a hidden gem.

The best way to visit the park is to visit in late october and rent a boat. otherwise it might be too hot.
Really nice State Park. For camping, there are multiple options available. Then there is the opportunity for day trips, including group events. But, every visitor MUST tour the exhibits at the Park HQ. This is necessary to understand the ecology of Caddo Lake and how human intervention has changed the lake.
Really great place to go camping. You can go fishing in the pond completely covered with old Cypress trees. You can go hiking on the trails or just hang out around the camp fire. Able to go in and out after paying for your spot. They have enclosed "shelters" at each campsite if it starts raining (which it did for us). Great amenities. The only negative would be the earth shattering noises at night. It sounds like a space rocket in the distance, very loud and consuming, almost worrisome.
J E
at 2024 Mar 20
J E
at 2024 Mar 20
A quick trip to Caddo Lake State Park. We stayed in a cabin. It was appointed with all the basics you need and clean (you do need to bring linens, plates, silverware.... your camping just in a cabin; they do have a coffee maker in the cabin). Remember it's not a hotel, but rather a way to be in the park and experience the beautiful nature of Caddo Lake.
The park rangers were great and more than happy to tell you about the park, the area and much more. The trails are short and relatively easy. Saw Mill Pond is nice to just sit at and listen to the wildlife. There are canoes for rent by the hour. If you are looking for a place to stay in bayou territory this your place.
We had a great time exploring the ole ammunition plant here as well as the visitors center. Place is clean and beautiful :)
Beautiful Cypress trees by a small lake with quiet secluded campsites. Nice hiking trails but it is best toured by kayak.
best camping experience!! The landscape is so unique and beautiful. The staff were courteous and knowledgeable and helped us move to a new site as we had wrongly booked an RV site without an RV. The bathroom/shower were as clean as they could be out in nature. We did not hike much, but the Saw Mill Pond was our favorite. Would love to go here again summer when lotus are on bloom.
We are staying in site 27 Armadillo Run Loop, it is very close to the Hwy 46 so there is constant sound of cars, if you walk down a few sites the sound is diminished and even better on the other side of the bathrooms. Those are pull through sites with full hookups.

We would not camp in this particular loop again we would camp further away from the road.

Bathrooms are large with showers, 2 stalls, one handicapped the non handicapped stall has a paper dispensed that intruders in your space.

Great fishing peer, and kayak put in spots. There are alligators in these waters but they are not aggressive.

Enjoyed the hiking loops, and CCC work that was done I. The 1930’s

Also nice boat ramp to put your fishing boat into the bayou that leads into Cado Lake.

Lots and lots of trees great shade, but little sun to warm you in the fall and winter camping.
Well this place was definitely the high point of the holiday, great views on a lovely cold and still morning made for some great photos. We went during the week and it was pretty quiet so nearly had the place to ourselves for the first hour but I imagine it can busy at times.
Arman
at 2023 Oct 22
Arman
at 2023 Oct 22
The scenery is breathtaking. The park's cypress swamps are unlike anything you've ever seen before. The trees are draped in Spanish moss, and the water is crystal clear.

The wildlife is amazing. The park is home to a variety of birds, including herons, egrets, and anhingas. You can also see alligators, turtles, and snakes.

The fishing is excellent. The park's lakes and bayous are teeming with fish, including bass, crappie, and catfish.

The hiking is great. The park has a number of trails that wind through the swamps and forests.

The boating is fun. You can rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats to explore the park's waterways.

The camping is rustic. The park has a number of campsites that are located in the heart of the wilderness.

The stargazing is incredible. The park is located far from light pollution, so you can see the stars clearly.

The history is rich. The park was once home to the Caddo Indians, and there are a number of historical sites in the park.

The education programs are informative. The park offers a variety of programs that teach visitors about the park's natural history.

The staff is friendly and helpful. The park staff is always happy to answer questions and help visitors make the most of their visit.
Beautiful park. Serene vistas, placid mirror-like water, and friendly , knowledgeable, and overall simply great staff. The pads for sites 55 and 56 are entirely too close together. I shouldn't be able to hear the neighbor letting one rip. Some may complain about the adjacent bayou and the mudboat noise, but it's part of the charm for me. The bathrooms are clean and well maintained. It's host to cool wildlife, including owls and raccoons. Help the rangers maintain the park and pack out your trash!
Creepy and secluded. Not well marked at all. Seemed dangerous. No maps for hiking. Dock was pretty, saw a few deer. Good place to launch a kayak or canoe.

GPS was confused and no one else was there, most of the main roads in the grid are gated off and inaccessible. History is very interesting but not much is posted about it, no one to answer questions about visitor center.
Jahidul
at 2023 Jul 23
Jahidul
at 2023 Jul 23
One of the best state parks in Texas.
I have added pictures to show some of its beauty.
You can get a paddle boat, bring your boat. Nice big trees. People are nice. The place is not crowded.
The campsites are great.
Caddo Lake, Texas, is a true gem! Its enchanting cypress trees, tranquil waters, and abundant wildlife create a magical experience. Perfect for nature lovers and adventurers alike, I highly recommend visiting this serene and picturesque destination.

The fishing opportunities here are fantastic, with a wide variety of fish species to catch. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, you'll have a great time casting your line.

For a delightful day out, there are lovely picnic areas where you can enjoy a meal amidst the natural beauty. It's a perfect spot to relax with family and friends.

Exploring the lake by boat is an unforgettable experience. The meandering waterways and mysterious bayous offer a glimpse into a diverse ecosystem teeming with wildlife.

If you're planning to stay longer, there are excellent campgrounds where you can immerse yourself in the peaceful surroundings. For added comfort, cabins are available too, providing a cozy stay amidst nature.

Safety is a priority at Caddo Lake, and the local authorities take great care to ensure visitors have a secure and enjoyable time.

Caddo Lake has it all - fishing, picnic spots, boating, camping, cabins, and a focus on safety. This Texas treasure promises an unforgettable retreat into nature. I can't wait to go back and create even more cherished memories!!!
Lots of history and nature in this massive preserve. Saw a few other cars during our stay. Took a few hikes and went down to the boat ramp at the end of star Ranch. Also explored the abandon buildings. Trails were not marked to well but found a few.
Found Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge by accident when I was late night searching new places to ride bikes.

The refuge is the old Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant. There are several ruins scattered throughout the woods for you to find and explore. The refuge includes several miles of hiking trails and horseback riding trails. Bikers must remain on paved/improved roads; they don't want you on the hiking trails.

Please be mindful of snakes while exploring. If you visit Starr Ranch on the back side of the park, snakes like to hang out on the pier.
This refuge is an abandoned military base close to the Caddo Lake State Park. I enjoy the forested area with miles and miles of roadways suitable for biking since there's scarce vehicle traffic. There's a handful of hiking trails through the refuge too.

A shout out to Eric, a staff member there, that found my SUV after I got disoriented while returning to my parking spot... I described the area and he had an idea where I started my ride when he came and located me at a trailhead. What was supposed to be a quick 5-mile round trip biking to Harrison Bayou turned into 15 as the morning was heating up. A big THANK YOU to Eric for his assistance!
Loved this place. It's huge, and there are tons of areas you can just walk around and explore. It can get a little confusing though. To get to the main abandoned WW2 factory, just type "6th st" into your GPS once you're at the wildlife refugee. It will take you straight to the ruins. You can see them from the street, and there is a large sign there as well.

Also, make sure to go down Starr Ranch road... the end of the road is absolutely gorgeous, and there is a really cool kayak and boat launch, and hiking trail.

There are SEVERAL buildings you can explore, hiking trails, etc. I could spend weeks here and not see everything.

Oh yeah, to get to the bathrooms, take the road to the left as soon as you enter the wildlife refugee gate, you will see bathrooms on left side. I'm not sure if the visitor center has them, as no one was there when I went. Highly recommend. The ruins alone are worth it.
Very cool place! And huge. Lots & lots of different places to explore. The Observation Center is closed still due to Covid, we are really looking forward to coming back & exploring that when it opens back up. There is a little place right beside it that actually usto be the old guard shack. It has a lot of information on animals & the history of the place. There was a cool place to bird watch that we unfortunately didn't get to experience because of all the wasps!!! We plan on coming back this winter though to see that & explore everything even more. Today was our third or fourth time out here & we still haven't seen it all! You are able to walk some trails, ride horses & even bicycles on certain trails. This is a very unique & interesting place to explore & have fun in good old mother nature! I will come back to add some really cool pictures that we got.
Been making the trip out here for years with the family and it’s always been fun. Things have obviously changed a lot since we first went out there about 10 years ago. The Star House is no more and many of the structures have been torn down. We’ve rode bicycles and walked all over the place, I highly recommend it for that alone if you want to get outside. I do recommend thinking about doing the walking in the cooler months due to ticks, mosquitoes and snakes. They now have a nice dock located by where the Star house once was( a pavilion was built where the house once stood), it has a “EZ Launch” to make launching kayaks easy. So bring the family out and enjoy it.