Honestly, if you've ever tried to find "Earl G Williams Park" on a map, you probably ended up a little confused. Most folks are actually looking for Earl G. Williamson Park in Oil City, Louisiana. It’s one of those classic mix-ups where a single letter changes everything, but once you get there, the distinction doesn't matter nearly as much as the view. Situated right on the edge of Caddo Lake, this 40-acre stretch of land is basically the crown jewel of Caddo Parish’s park system. It’s not just some patch of grass with a swing set; it’s a full-blown gateway to one of the weirdest, most beautiful lakes in the American South.
You've got these massive bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, standing knee-deep in the water. It looks like something out of a movie. People come here for the fishing, sure, but they stay because the sunsets over the water are genuinely ridiculous.
The Caddo Lake Connection
What makes Earl G Williamson Park special isn't just the amenities. It’s the access. Caddo Lake is a labyrinth. It’s a flooded forest spanning the border of Texas and Louisiana, and if you don't have a good place to launch, you're missing out on the best parts. The park provides a public boat ramp that stays busy year-round. Even when they were doing massive renovations recently, they kept that ramp open. They know how much the locals rely on it.
Fishing here is a serious business. We’re talking about a 450-foot fishing pier that’s currently being upgraded to be fully accessible. If you're hunting for largemouth bass, crappie, or sunfish, this is your home base.
The water is shallow, murky, and full of life. It’s a bit mysterious. You’ll see boaters navigating the "boat roads"—marked trails through the cypress swamp—because if you stray too far, you’re going to hit a stump. It’s part of the charm, really.
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Recent Upgrades and Why 2026 is Different
If you haven't visited in a few years, the place looks totally different. The Parish of Caddo has been pouring money—over $1.3 million—into making this place a modern destination. By summer 2026, the construction on the new floating aluminum fishing pier is expected to be finished. It’s 203 feet long with a massive cross-section at the end. Plenty of room to cast a line without hooking your neighbor.
What's New at the Park:
- Universal Playground: They just opened a brand-new, inclusive playground system for kids aged 5 to 12. It has this high-tech shade structure that actually drops the surface temperature by up to 25 degrees. In Louisiana’s August heat, that’s not just a "nice-to-have"; it’s a lifesaver.
- Improved Camping: They’ve added 37 new picnic shelters and concrete slabs. The RV sites got a major electrical overhaul too.
- The Disc Golf Scene: There’s a 9-hole course that’s surprisingly popular. It’s free to play, though you’ve got to bring your own discs.
- The "Great Hall": A new 3,750-square-foot structure is being built to house restrooms and storage, with a huge open area designed specifically to give you the best possible views of the lake.
The Camping Reality
Let’s talk about staying overnight. This is a "first-come, first-served" kind of place. No reservations. You show up, find a spot, and drop your cash in the envelope at the Camp Master’s building. It’s old school.
It’s $12 a night for sites with 50-amp hookups and water. If you’re just pitching a tent for primitive camping, it’s only $6. You won't find many places cheaper than that in 2026. Just keep in mind they have a 14-day limit. They don't want people moving in permanently; they want to keep the spots rotating for travelers and weekend warriors.
The bathhouses are often described as "dated but clean." They’ve got showers, which is a luxury for some of these more remote lakefront parks. Just don't expect a five-star spa experience. It’s a park. There’s dirt. There are bugs. It’s the outdoors.
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Is it Earl G. Williams or Williamson?
Here is the thing. There is a Williams Playfield in Detroit, and an Etheldra Mae Williams Park there too. But when people are talking about the "Earl G" park with the boat ramps and the sunset views, they are almost always talking about the one in Oil City.
The park is named after Earl G. Williamson, a former Caddo Parish Police Juror who was instrumental in the area's development. He wasn't some distant historical figure to the locals; he was a guy who actually cared about making the lake accessible to regular people.
Navigating the Challenges
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The park has a bit of a flooding problem. Because of its location, about 83% of the flooding in the disc golf and northern areas comes from runoff upstream. The Parish is looking at a $1.6 million project to fix this with new concrete box culverts.
When the lake levels rise, the backwater can swallow parts of the park. If you're planning a trip after a week of heavy rain, you might want to call the Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation department first.
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Also, it's a cash-only operation for the most part. Don't show up with just a credit card and expect the automated kiosk to work—half the time it’s easier to just have the $12 in bills ready for the envelope.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you're heading out to Earl G Williamson Park, here’s how to do it right:
- Arrive Early on Fridays: Since there are no reservations, the best RV spots by the water go fast. If you show up Saturday afternoon, you’re probably going to be in the "overflow" mindset.
- Bring Your Own Gear: Whether it’s cornhole bags for the new court or discs for the golf course, the park doesn't really do rentals.
- Bug Spray is Non-Negotiable: This is a swamp-adjacent park. The mosquitoes here are basically the size of small birds.
- Check the Burn Ban: Louisiana gets dry fast in the summer. Always check the local mandates before you start a campfire, or you might get a visit from the sheriff's substation located right at the entrance.
- Use the New Pier: Once that 2026 floating pier is fully open, use it. It’s designed to handle the fluctuating water levels of Caddo Lake, meaning you won’t be fishing in two inches of water during a dry spell.
The park is located at 11425 LA-1, Oil City, LA. It’s about a 30-minute drive north of Shreveport. Whether you're there to launch a boat, let the kids burn off energy on the shaded playground, or just sit on a bench and watch the sun dip below the cypress trees, it’s one of those spots that feels like real Louisiana.