Caddo National Grassland – a well-kept secret
Our rig
Several years ago Fred and I made a wonderful discovery – West Crockett Lake campground in the Caddo (pronounced Cad-OH) National Grassland (NG). Located in north Texas, above Dallas and on the south side of Red River seems to be pretty much undiscovered. Developed in the 1930s, Lake Crockett was built to provide the area’s population with recreational opportunities such as boating and fishing. It still meets these needs.
Caddo NG is more heavily wooded than other grasslands we have visited. Towering Post oak, Southern oak and other oaks species blend with hickory and hand-planted pines giving shelter to all sorts of critters. Everytime we have been there, the oak trees hadn’t started to put on their Fall colors but they were dropping their nuts like crazy. The resident critters, chiefly noisy squirrels, were busy collecting the bounty and getting ready for winter.
Lake Crockett
Cedars are a big problem in the Caddo, choking out large areas of grass, but the forest service is trying fight back. Once again it’s a matter of money. West Crockett Lake CG has no problem with cedars.
While West Crockett Lake campground is nice (sites right on the lake’s edge), and is my preference, the horse camp near Coffee Mill Lake is outstanding. Long, level campsites with big trees (mostly oak and hickory) provide ample shade. There is a trailhead for the 25-plus mile network of trails that meanders throughout the grassland is right there. There is only one vault but lots of water spigots scattered throughout and a horse shower near the vault. Let’s face it, the Caddo NG knows how to treat equestrian campers.
