Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge

National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Come and enjoy our many hiking trails, horseback riding trails and wildlife observation areas. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the history of the refuge. 

Visitor Contact Station:

Open seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset.  
 
Stop by here to talk to a staff member or volunteer about what is happening on the refuge. The Visitor Contact Station is located behind the refuge administration building. Follow the signs from the main entrance. Here you will find restrooms and educational displays about the refuge.

Ramsar Caddo Lake Wetlands Visitor Center:

Open seven days a week. 
 
Here is where you can learn more about Caddo Lake and its importance to wildlife. Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Caddo Lake Institute restored the old armory guard station to provide information and species photos to explain to the public why portions of Caddo Lake and the refuge are one of 26 sites in the United States to be recognized as “Wetlands of International Significance” under an international treaty signed by over 150 nations.

Recreation:

Free of charge. Open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.  

You can enjoy wildlife-related activities, including wildlife watching, hiking, biking, hunting, and wildlife photography. Enjoy your public lands! 

Driving Directions

Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located northeast of Marshall, Texas Harrison County.  
 
From Dallas (2 and 1/2 hours): take I-20 east to Marshall, Texas, and get on Hwy. 59 North. Go through Marshall to HWY. 43 North; take 43 North. In fifteen minutes or so, you will come up on 449 spur. Take a right on 449 (also a post office sign on Hwy. 43). Follow this for about a mile, and you will come to the intersection of 449 and Hwy. 134. Look for the Karnack Post Office on the right corner and the Karnack Community Center on the opposite left corner. Go straight through the intersection, over the train tracks and you will enter the refuge. 
 
From Shreveport (1/2 to 3/4 hour): Take I-20 West to Waskom, Texas. At David Beard's Catfish Restaurant, take Hwy. 134 North out of Waskom. Follow Hwy. 134 into Karnack. In Karnack, you will come to the intersection of Hwy. 134 and Spur 449 (T.J. Taylor Avenue). Take a right past the post office and cross the train tracks, and you will enter the refuge. 

Fees

There is no charge to visit.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available inside the refuge headquarters, inside the visitor contact station, in the comfort station across from the headquarters parking lot and at the Starr Ranch site. 

What To Do

wildlife watching, hiking, biking, hunting, wildlife photography, horseback riding, auto tour route. 

Know Before You Go

Bring plenty of drinking water, snacks, insect repellant, sunscreen and other necessities. Dress appropriately for the seasons and wear comfortable walking shoes. 

Visitor Tips

There is a wildlife sighting board and an eBird kiosk in the visitor center to help visitors find areas for wildlife viewing.