Earl G Williamson Park

Oil City, Louisiana · on Caddo Lake

Verified · 3 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $12/night
SEASON: Best in summer

About Earl G Williamson Park

Earl G. Williamson Park is a 40-acre Caddo Parish-operated lakefront park on the Louisiana shore of Caddo Lake in Oil City, Louisiana, offering camping, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier. The park's official amenity list includes a designated swimming area, and camper reports confirm people actually swim at this swimming hole, though the beach itself is described by one visitor as old and unmaintained.

The park sits directly on the Louisiana shoreline of Caddo Lake, a roughly 25,400-acre lake straddling the Louisiana-Texas border, at 11425 LA Highway 1 just outside the small town of Oil City. It is a developed, drive-in county park rather than a backcountry site, with lake views from most campsites.

Swimming at Earl G Williamson Park

The park maintains a designated swim/day-use beach area near its boat ramp and fishing pier. A June camper reported making 'good use of' the swim beach, and another visitor described their dog swimming directly off the shoreline near the campsites. One reviewer characterized the beach itself as 'old, unmaintained.' More broadly, Caddo Lake has a soft, muddy lakebed and is not a region generally known for swimming beaches, making this park one of the lake's few developed swim access points.

How to get to this swimming hole

Located at 11425 LA Highway 1, Oil City, LA 71061, on the Louisiana shore of Caddo Lake; the park is reached directly off Highway 1 a short distance from downtown Oil City.

Parking: Paved parking areas are available at the park, including near the boat ramp facility.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-in day-use/camping park; the swim beach and boat ramp are reached directly from the paved parking area with no trail or hike involved.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

There is a designated swim beach with direct, flat shoreline access (no cliffs or major drop-offs reported), but no source mentions lifeguards, and one camper described the beach itself as 'old, unmaintained.' Caddo Lake overall has a soft, muddy lakebed and a resident alligator population (though gators reportedly avoid heavily trafficked areas like this park), so supervision is warranted.

Parking

Free

Paved parking is available at the park, including a parking lot at the boat ramp facility. No entrance or day-use fee is charged for paddling/day access; overnight camping fees ($12 full hookup / $6 primitive, cash) are separate and only apply to campers.

Restrooms

Yes

Restrooms with showers (bathhouse) serve the campground/park; exact distance from the swim beach itself is not specified in available sources.

Water clarity

Often murky

A Caddo Lake community news source describes the lake's lakebed as muddy and 'slimy' and notes the lake is not generally known for swimming beaches. A camper review separately described the park's own beach as 'old, unmaintained,' consistent with a soft-bottom, non-resort-style shoreline rather than a clear-water swim spot. No source gave a direct visibility/clarity measurement for this specific beach.

Hours

6:00 am - 9:00 pm, seven days a week (Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation)

Swim smart

Caddo Lake has a muddy, soft lakebed and the park's beach was described by one visitor as old and unmaintained. Caddo Lake as a whole holds an alligator population, though local sources note gators tend to avoid areas of heavy human traffic like developed park swim areas. Paddlers are cautioned about afternoon winds developing quickly on the open lake and submerged obstacles. Campsites can develop mud and ruts after heavy rain.

Rules: Park hours are 6:00 am to 9:00 pm daily. Campground quiet hours run 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, a 15 mph speed limit is enforced, vehicle/watercraft repairs are prohibited on site, campfires are restricted to designated areas subject to burn bans, and camping is capped at 14 consecutive days with a mandatory 7-day wait before returning.

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

KayaksCanoesPaddleboardsMotorboats

The park's public boat ramp supports kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayak fishing, plus general motorized boat launching (450-ft fishing pier and boat ramp are official amenities). A paddling-focused directory rates conditions as calm, flat water suitable for first-time paddlers and families, with no significant current or wave hazards expected near shore, though afternoon winds can build quickly on the open lake. No no-wake or electric-only restriction is documented for this launch.

What regulars say

Visitor reports are limited but consistent: a June camper said they made 'good use of' the swim beach despite it being old and unmaintained, and another visitor described their dog swimming directly off the shoreline near the campsites, with 'a few spots' showing mud and ruts after heavy rain. No first-hand visitor comments specifically address water clarity, crowd levels at the beach, or lifeguard presence.

Backstory

The park is named for Earl Williamson, who served on the Caddo Parish police jury for four decades (1933-1972, and again 1979-1980) and also served as mayor of nearby Vivian, Louisiana during two separate periods.

Earl G Williamson Park: FAQ

Does Earl G Williamson Park charge a fee?

No entrance fee is required for day use/paddling access. Camping fees are $12/night for full hookup RV sites and $6/night for primitive/tent sites, payable in cash within one hour of occupying a site.

Is Earl G Williamson Park kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Earl G Williamson Park?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Earl G Williamson Park?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Earl G Williamson Park?

When is the best time to visit Earl G Williamson Park?

A camper reported using the swim beach in June (summer); reviewers also praised late-fall (October) camping for calm conditions and sunsets.

What are the rules at Earl G Williamson Park?

Park hours are 6:00 am to 9:00 pm daily. Campground quiet hours run 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, a 15 mph speed limit is enforced, vehicle/watercraft repairs are prohibited on site, campfires are restricted to designated areas subject to burn bans, and camping is capped at 14 consecutive days with a mandatory 7-day wait before returning.

What water body is Earl G Williamson Park on?

Earl G Williamson Park is on Caddo Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.