Caddo-LBJ National Grasslands

Warning

Wild Animal Warning:
Our national forests are a refuge for wild animals, including dangerous animals like bears, alligators and venomous snakes. Wild animals can be upset by human presence and can unexpectedly become aggressive. Do not give them a reason or an opportunity to attack. Always keep your distance. Your safety is your responsibility.

The Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) National Grasslands are located in two areas northeast and northwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. They not only provide grazing land for cattle and habitat for wildlife, but offer a variety of recreation. The most popular activities are hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and photography.

White-tailed deer, small mammals, coyotes, bobcats, red fox, waterfowl, bobwhite quail, turkey, and songbirds thrive in the diverse habitats provided by the Grasslands. Largemouth bass, blue and channel catfish, and various sunfish species are common catches at the many lakes that dot the Grasslands' landscape.

The recreation areas on the Caddo and LBJ offer a variety of facilities for camping, picnicking, and other outdoor activities. All are open year-round . Group users should check with the District office several weeks in advance of their scheduled visit to determine if a permit is required. Horseback riders are reminded that horses are not allowed in Forest Service developed recreation areas. When using undeveloped sites, do not tie horses to trees or where they can damage the trees. The use of picket lines between trees or trailers is permitted. Please remember to PACK OUT everything you PACKED IN.

A Texas hunting/fishing license is required when hunting or fishing on the Grasslands. On the CADDO, a Texas Public Hunting Permit is also required.

Hunters should be extremely careful as all areas of the Grasslands are used heavily during hunting season by hunters and the non-hunting public alike. Fluorescent orange is REQUIRED on all hunters during any permitted season with a minimum of 144 square inches visible on both the chest and back and a fluorescent orange cap or hat. (Exception: When hunting migratory birds and turkeys.) It is recommended non-hunters also wear fluorescent material during the hunting season as an extra safety precaution.

Due to extremely erosive soils, vehicle travel on both the LBJ and Caddo is restricted to designated Forest Service system and gravel-surfaced roads.

Grasses and other herbaceous vegetation on the Grasslands are highly flammable. When using undeveloped sites, campfires should be built on bare ground and must be attended at all times. Before leaving your camp, make sure any fire is completely extinguished.

Permits for fuelwood cutting for home use ($20 for two cords) are available at the District office in Decatur and the Caddo Work Center in Honey Grove. Firewood for campfires is limited to downed wood only, with no permit required. Cutting standing trees or pruning limbs from them is prohibited.

Administrative maps are available for $9 each (if requesting by mail, add $1.00 for postage per map).

CADDO NATIONAL GRASSLANDS

The CADDO is comprised of 17,785 acres and contains three lakes. The largest, Lake Coffee Mill, is 651 acres with one developed recreation area containing 13 picnic units and an improved boat ramp. Lake Davy Crockett is 388 acres in size and has two developed recreation areas. West Lake Davy Crockett has 11 camping units, while the east side has four picnic units and an improved boat ramp. There is a $2 day-use fee at Coffee Mill and West Lake Davy Crockett. A $4 per night camping fee is charged for using camping sites at West Lake Davy Crockett. Drinking water is available at both lakes. Forty-five acre Lake Fannin is accessible for fishing from the east side only and has an unimproved earthen boat launch site.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON NATIONAL GRASSLANDS

The LBJ is comprised of more than 20,250 acres with one developed recreation area located at Black Creek Lake. The recreation area consists of seven picnic units, seven walk-in camp units, one improved boat ramp and an accessible fishing bridge. No drinking water is available. The lake is approximately 30 acres in size. The discharge of firearms and hunting is prohibited on and around the lake.

Cottonwood Lake, located 5 miles north of Black Creek Lake, is approximately 40 acres in size and has one improved boat ramp. No recreation facilities are provided. The discharge of firearms is prohibited in the vicinity of Cottonwood Lake. However, from November 1 through February 28, the use of shotguns, excluding slugs and buckshot, for legally hunting game birds and game animals during state designated seasons is permitted.

The Cottonwood-Black Creek Hiking Trail is 4 miles long and connects the two lakes. It is rated moderately difficult. There are nearly 75 miles of multipurpose trails which run in the Cottonwood Lake vicinity.

TADRA Point is a designated trailhead camping facility that is a primary access point for the 75 mile LBJ Multiuse Trail system. Restrooms and parking facilities are provided.

Valley View Group Use Campground is available by reservation on weekends. Call the Caddo-LBJ district office at (940)-627-5475 for reservations. Weekend reservations are $150.00. This money is used to maintain the facility and improve the campground. Facilities include restrooms, parking spurs, fire rings, lantern posts and group pavilion.

Other popular lakes include Clear Lake and Rhodes Lake. Clear Lake is approximately 20 acres in size and has a concrete boat ramp and a 50-foot wheelchair accessible fishing pier. Rhodes Lake is approximately 15 acres and has no facilities.

FULLY AUTOMATIC WEAPONS ARE PROHIBITED. Hunting is limited to shotguns, muzzleloaders and archery. Unit 3 is open to target shooting with shotguns; and hunting and camping are permitted.

National Forests & Grasslands in Texas