Caddo Lake Lodge — Hotel in Vivian

5 stars The Caboose was the perfect couples’ escape on Caddo Lake—cozy, peaceful, and surrounded by nature. Right on the water, we spent our mornings sipping coffee on the deck while watching cardinals, bluebirds, lizards, and even an albino squirrel.

Inside, the space was clean and thoughtfully stocked. The fridge was larger than expected 4.4 cu ft, and there were multiple options for making coffee or tea (K-cups, ground beans, whole beans, kettle). There’s also a fireplace—just bring your own firewood. The Family Dollar did not have firewood.

Kayaks and a canoe are included (two singles, a tandem, and one canoe although no canoe paddles. The launching and the river current felt intimidating at first, but it was totally manageable and led us to a magical cypress forest filled with birds, turtles, and total stillness. It was incredibly meditative. Just paddle up stream, you can’t miss it.

You can fish right off the dock or from the canoe. We didn’t bring gear, but it would’ve been worth buying since rentals are limited unless you head to Caddo Lake State Park nearby.

Dining near The Caboose was a highlight: • Caddo Lake Lighthouse (1 min away): Best fried catfish and Cajun shrimp we’ve ever had. Friday steak night was amazing. Honky-tonk vibes, great service, unforgettable meal. • Big Pines Lodge: Gorgeous patio on the bayou. Huge portions, great salad bar, and the best fries we had on the trip. They host live music on weekends too. • Shady Glade Café: Best chicken fried steak of my life. Cajun-spiced, crispy, with rich gravy. Sweet tea was on point and the service was 10/10. • Hookers: Big and fun spot with pool and darts. The beer-battered fries were great, and they often have live music and events.

Things to do nearby: • Chill-Lax-N Boat Tours: Dan and Bentley gave us an incredible sunset ride. Comfortable boat, amazing wildlife sightings, and great local stories. Highly recommend! 903-244-7001 • Caddo Lake Guide Service: Paul took us on a 5-hour fishing trip and taught us so much about bass fishing and the lake itself. Great guy, unforgettable experience. We’ll forever use his knowledge of fishing in the South. He also spotted a 9 ft gator for us. 318-455-3437 • Caddo Lake State Park: Close to the house. Friendly rangers, short hikes, canoe rentals, fishing and great views. • Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge: The only letdown. Fire damage, oil drilling, and more of a hunting area than a peaceful refuge. The dock was a good spot to find frogs and snakes. If you have a boat or Kayak you may like it.

We can’t wait to return to Caddo Lake. The Caboose was everything we hoped for—quiet, comfortable, and surrounded by natural beauty. A true hidden gem. Already dreaming of...

We stayed at the"Mallard House". No ducks but a small flock of chickens with a roster that likes to wake you at 5 am. Pictures posted DO NOT show the highway on one side of the cabin and the owners house on the other side. That cabin is on the owners front lawn. While it was clean the overuse of fragrances left us gasping. Even the sheets and towels were perfumed. The steps need to be replaced and the outdoor lighting did not work. The rocks added to the walkway were loose and dangerous. Pictures below show the actual view...

The Caboose is a great concept, just not kept up well. Ceiling fan was crusted in dust that blew off. The tub and toilet were dingy and the shower head was mildewed. The colander on the stove is is covering a burner that was completely missing. Has been for a while judging by the other photos. The recliner was broken. Contacted the owner via email and got pretty much a form...