Quiet settles in quickly at Tom Merrill Recreation Area, a US Army Corps of Engineers campground set among forested and open terrain near a reservoir and dam outside Monroe, Louisiana. The campground has more than 20 sites with concrete pads, electric hookups (30 and 50 amp), water, and sewer connections, making it a functional stop for RVs as well as tent campers. Sites 8 and 17 get specific mention from visitors as the best tent options. A dump station and full shower facilities round out the infrastructure, though at least one reviewer noted the showers could use a new shower head and some paint touch-ups.
Bank fishing draws repeat visitors, and the surrounding Bodcau area gives campers access to disc golf, hiking and biking trails, a playground, exercise equipment, a fish cleaning station, and a gun range. A convenience store with seven-day beer sales sits about three miles away. Bodcau Creek near Young Road is another Corps-managed option in the same general corridor for campers who want to compare sites before booking. Cell service works but runs below average signal strength, so plan downloads ahead of time.
Cleanliness comes up in nearly every review. Betsy W. describes it as "well kept," noting maintained grills, fire pits, and bathrooms that "smelled great and clean." Nightly rates run $0 to $15, well below comparable state park pricing in Louisiana. Reservations are available and pets are allowed. South Abutment East sits just 0.6 miles north for campers who want a nearby alternative if sites here fill up on weekends.
Description
This recreation area is part of Bayou Bodcau Reservoir. Tom Merrill Recreation Area has 20 campsites, all of which have electric hookups. Some campsites are closer to the forest, while some are more open within the park. All sites are within walking distance of the water. Amenities at this recreation area include flush toilets, showers, playground, outdoor exercise equipment, dump station, a game cleaning station, disc golf course, and bike trail. The outlet channel, where Bodcau Reservoir drains into the Bodcau Creek, is an excellent place for fishing.
Map & DirectionsTom Merrill Recreation Area is located in Louisiana near Haughton
Directions
1749 Bodcau Dam Road, Haughton, LA 71037-7443
Address
3505 S. Grand Street
Monroe, LA 71202
Coordinates
32.69542125 N
93.51105967 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/24/26- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/24/26
AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 7/24/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/24/26
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/24/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 7/24/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
