Halloween at Caddo Lake


Dallas DownRiver Club formally invites you and your family or friends to help us haunt Goat Island at our annual Caddoween Campout on Friday, October 24th thru Sunday, October 26th, 2008. Camp will be at the usual location on the Southwest corner of Goat Island near Pine Needle Lodge. Put-in and take out will be at the Pine Needle Lodge alternate area which is located just past the entrance to Pine Needle Lodge.

Goat Island is in a wildlife management area (WMA) and a non-consumptive, limited-use permit, issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is required for all persons 18 years of age and older who will be attending Caddoween. The permits can be obtained at any sporting goods store or other location that sells hunting and fishing licenses for a fee of $12.00, and the permit MUST be carried on your person or in your immediate possession while you are in the WMA. It is good for a period of one year, and allows access to any and all similar WMAs under the auspices of TPWD. If Game Wardens catch you without the permit, then the fine is very stiff - many times higher than the cost of the permit!

Saturday, the 25th, will include several events and contests:

12:00 - Start of the pumpkin carving contest. Bring uncarved pumpkin, knives, candles, pattern, etc. Judging starts after dark. Plan on taking pumpkin home with you as they are not natural to Goat island!

2:00 - Pinata for the kids

3:00 - Best decorated tent site. All decorations MUST be removed when you leave.

4:30 - Dutch oven cook-off - have your entry ready at this time so we can eat it for dinner!

5:00 - pot luck dinner - please bring enough for your group.

After dinner - Trick or treating from tent to tent, bring treats or you could be tricked!

Bonfire, bring 2 or 3 pieces of firewood per boat.

Costume contest for kids and adults.

Ghost stories, bring your best! Maybe the "Lady of the Lake" will make her appearance. Pretty scary stuff! Prizes and awards from local paddle sports outfitter stores and DDRC.

Camping is primitive so bring water and appropriate camping gear. Plan on leaving no trace of your stay on the island.



Any questions? Call

Sam Sloan: 214-826-6159

Goat Island on Caddo Lake

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More Pictures from Caddo Halloweens Past

Bats
Directions to Caddo Lake

To Caddo Lake, Texas:

From Dallas to Pine Needle Lodge: Take IH-20 East to Marshall. Exit onto US Hwy 59, and then turn left (North). Follow US Highway 59 north through Marshall past US Highway 80. Watch for the state park sign just past an overhead bridge. Turn right (East) at SH 43, and then go approximately 14 miles to Karnack. Continue on SH 43 past the state park turnoff, cross the Big Cypress Bayou bridge, and then turn right on the next real road, FM 805. Continue until the pavement ends. There will be a sign showing Pine Needle lodge to right. DO NOT GO THAT WAY! Instead, follow the gravel road to left, then turn left at first driveway and follow dirt road down hill to boat ramp and park. (I will hopefully have marked the driveway with pumpkin plate by the time you get there.)

Parking is $2.00 per night per vehicle and a $2.00 boat launch fee. Please pay Sam Sloan at campsite so everyone does not have to go by Pine needle lodge to pay. The parking area is owned by Pine Needle Lodge, so please respect their property.

Boat rentals: Canoes can be rented locally from Mountain Sports in Arlington (Bill Anton at 817-461-4503); High Trails in Garland (Bob Narramore at 972-272-3353); Paddle Bound River Outfitters (Jimmy and Edie Gray at 817-282-3135); or at Pine Needle Lodge on Caddo Lake (Barry and Ann Bennick at 903-665-2911).

Map to Caddo Lake