Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
which is a funky (some might say junky) meandering area of fishing shacks, tour compan-
ies, cabins, groceries and a few casual restaurants and small cafes. For even more inform-
ation log onto
www.caddolake.info
. Note that at the time of writing, most online GPS
maps are WRONG for this area, including those on iPhones and from Bing!
Local authorities call affable local-boy John Winn when someone gets lost on the lake.
You should, too; his private, one-hour to full-day
Caddo Outback Backwater Tours
(
903-789-3384;
www.caddolaketours.com
; 1869 Pine Island Rd; tours per couple $40-160)
take you by 18ft
swamp boat to places other outfitters can't reach. Ask about nighttime tours. You'll be
transported back to Jefferson's heyday aboard the steam-powered paddle steamer, the
Graceful Ghost
( 903-789-2238;
www.gracefulghost.com
; 510 Cypress Dr, Uncertain; adult/child $20/18;
noon, 2pm & 4pm Tue-Sat, Mar-Nov)
, which offers 90-minute lake tours during summer months.
When you're ready for a repast, you have two main choices for waterfront fried catfish
and other swamp seafood: rustic
Big Pines Lodge & Watering Hole
(
http://bigpineslodge.com
;
747 Pine Is-
land Rd, Karnack; dishes $6-15; 4pm-9pm Wed-Fri, 6:30am-9pm Sat & Sun)
, a 60-year Caddo Lake clas-
sic that was rebuilt after a 2009 fire, or go a little upscale at
River Bend Restaurant
(
903-679-9000; 211 FM 2422, Karnack; mains $18-28;
5pm-9pm Tue-Thu, to 10pm Fri, 11am-10pm Sat, noon-7pm
Sat)
, which has a glass-enclosed patio.
Hodge Podge Cottages
( 903-789-3901;
www.hodgepodgecottages.com
; 724 Cypress Dr, Uncertain; cottage
$125)
is true to its name, offering everything from a mobile home to a regular house to a
dry-docked houseboat for overnight rental next to the river. Free canoe use included.
