Campgrounds near Karnack, Texas center around Lake O' the Pines and Caddo Lake, where the water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting water access at various sites. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing. Cell service remains unreliable throughout the area, with most campgrounds experiencing complete service gaps at night regardless of carrier.
What to do
Boating and fishing excursions: Lake O' the Pines provides multiple access points for watercraft with dedicated boat ramps at most campgrounds. "Although this isn't the cleanest water, it's a fun time for water craft, fishing and relaxing. This lake is situated in east Texas and is a corp of engineers lake," notes one regular visitor.
Disc golf courses: Earl Williamson Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course free to all visitors. "We got to play disc golf at their very nice public (free) 18 hole course. I've been carrying around the discs for years and never got to play. Now I'm hooked!" reports one camper who visited in late 2023.
Historic town exploration: The nearby town of Jefferson (15 minutes from most campgrounds) features antique stores and museums. "Close to Jefferson, with great shopping, museums, and restaurants. Can't say enough good things about this jewel in the piney woods of east Texas," writes a visitor to Buckhorn Creek.
What campers like
Concrete pads at Corps sites: Buckhorn Creek receives praise for its level, maintained sites. "Every site is a concrete pad with a picnic table and fire ring. Hookups are water and electricity only, no sewer," explains a reviewer who appreciates the consistency of Corps of Engineers campgrounds.
Large, shaded sites: Many campsites offer substantial spacing between neighbors. "Big RV spots. Definitely not on top of each other. Very clean park. RV spots right along the water. You can put in a kayak or canoe from these spots. Nice and quiet!" writes one camper about Brushy Creek.
Bayou paddle trails: Buffalo Bayou RV Park provides direct access to cypress-filled bayou trails. "There is a kayak rental right next door which is a very short paddle to the camp. There's a small boat ramp at the park so putting in is easy. There's 3 trails close to the park. Trails took 1-2 hours depending on which one you take and how fast you paddle," notes an enthusiastic kayaker.
What you should know
Road noise impacts: Several campgrounds experience traffic sounds despite their natural settings. "The big turn off for me on this park is that, despite its beauty, there is incessant road noise that you hear from every campsite," reports one visitor to Caddo Lake State Park.
Boat traffic and neighboring properties: Even remote-feeling sites may experience unexpected noise. "Despite being ostensibly alone, I do believe there is a few Lakeside properties or perhaps a neighborhood nearby because there were boats going back-and-forth across the water at all hours of the night And several dogs barking to no end," observed a tent camper at Buckhorn Creek.
Limited amenities at some parks: Pine Island RV Park offers basic services focused on location rather than facilities. "This campground is very basic. It has full hook ups and that is about it. There is a Laundry Room. There are about 20 or so spots, mostly occupied by permanent residents," explains one visitor who still enjoyed the quiet solitude.
Tips for camping with families
Lake swimming areas: Multiple parks feature dedicated swimming zones with gradual entry. "There's a volleyball pit and walking trails. Day use area that includes playgrounds, disc golf, fishing piers, and a swim beach (that we made good use of)," writes a visitor to Earl Williamson Park.
Spacious play areas: Brushy Creek provides ample room for children to explore safely. "Had a fun weekend here with our two kids. Lots of room around this campsite for the kids to ride bikes and play without being in another site," notes a family who appreciated the layout.
Cabin options for families: Several parks offer cabin rentals as an alternative to tent camping. "We loved the cabin, it made winter camping with kids do-able! Loved hiking and exploring! A ton of CCC history and beautiful bald cypress here!" shares a parent who stayed at Caddo Lake State Park in winter months.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Sandy terrain at some sites requires careful setup. "The campground is pretty sandy so leveling may be problematic for big rigs," warns a visitor to Buffalo Bayou RV Park.
Limited sewer hookups: Most Corps of Engineers campgrounds offer only electric and water connections. "These sites do not have sewer hookups, but do have a dump station. Easy access to the water for fishing and boating," notes a visitor describing the practical limitations at Buckhorn Creek.
Site selection for views: Waterfront sites book quickly but offer premium experiences. "Our site had 180 degree views of the beautiful lake and sat amongst tall pines. The sites are a nice distance from the others and fairly level. Electric and water hookups were on site and a dump station was nearby within the park," explains an RVer who stayed at Brushy Creek.
