big cypress bayou boat tour

Big Cypress Tours - 903-570-3319

Caddo lake boat tours.

• Photography Tours

Hello folks. This is Michael Landrum, your Caddo Lake guide and owner of Big Cypress Tours. Welcome to one of most beautiful bodies of water in the world. Caddo Lake and surrounding wetlands comprise unique environs where magnificent flora and fauna thrive.

Let me take you on a tour of Caddo Lake, home of the world’s largest Bald Cypress forest, a watery wonderland unlike any other in the world. According to a study done in 2003, Caddo Lake flora and fauna includes 189 species of trees and shrubs, 75 grasses, 42 woody vines, 216 kinds of birds, 90 fish and reptiles, and 47 mammals, plus hundreds of alleged Bigfoot sightings.

Call me at 903-570-3319, to book a family or private adventure. I offer sunrise and mid-day tours. The experience can influence a young child’s life and become a memory they will never forget.

This is an experience you cannot find elsewhere in the world. Comparable environs simply do not exist. Don’t limit your view of Caddo by sticking to the shore.

Be the participant, not the audience.

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Caddo Lake Bayou Tours

Book a tour today, 903-570-2169.

Come take a boat tour on one of the most scenic and beautiful lakes in the South. Caddo Lake is approximately 26,000 acres of Bald Cypress trees, Spanish moss, abundant wildlife, and scenery that you will never forget. The lake has everything from swamps, bayous and river ways that create a one of a kind experience.

Whether you are looking for a guided fishing trip, a sight seeing tour of the wildlife or just wanting to have a relaxing day or evening on the boat on Caddo Lake then look no further. Book a tour today to see some of the beauty that awaits you.

Also don't forget to like us on our  Facebook page  to see weekly updates and stay in touch with us!

A lake rich with history

Caddo Lake is steeped in history dating back to the early 1800's and one of the best ways to soak it in is with a guided boat tour. Sit back and relax while you take in the history which includes the Caddo Indian tribes that inhabited the area and the steamboat navigational trade from New Orleans to Jefferson, Texas are just some of the lakes rich history.

The names of certain areas of the lake such as Alligator Bayou, Starr Ditch, Ames Spring Basin, Potters Point, Britts Gap and Government Ditch among others give the lake a certain mystic created by the characters from it's past. It creates the perfect atmosphere for fishing, relaxing or watching the sunset.

Photography Tours

Looking to get some great pictures of the beautiful Bald Cypress trees covered in Spanish moss? Schedule a guided tour and go on an adventure to get all the images you need to complete your photography collection.

Whether you want to go on a wildlife photography tour with a group or with the peace and quiet of being alone to get those perfect shots, we can accommodate.

Featured on TravelAwaits Article

TravelAwaits is a great blog that features destinations all over the world and gives you great tips on things to do there.

We are lucky enough to have been mentioned in an article over things to do near Jefferson Texas.

Caddo Lake Bayou tours is number seven on the list and click the link below if you would like to read the full article!

View Article

Photos from Caddo Lake

Take a look at some of the photographs that have been taken on Caddo Lake by various talented photographers.

Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou

The Caddo Indians were the first known inhabitants of the area. There are questions about the lake’s origins, but scientific data seems to suggest that the lake was formed over several hundred years as a result of logjams and flooding (see The Great Raft of the Red River ) and erosion in the Piney Woods of East Texas and West Louisiana. Caddo Lake has the popular misconception that it is the only natural lake in Texas. However, it must be recognized there are many natural lakes in Texas. Also, a dam was built there in 1901, improved in 1914 for flood control and replaced by a new dam in 1971. If the current dam were removed, Caddo Lake would cease to exist. The lake straddles Texas and Louisiana and is only 15 miles from the Arkansas state line. It is a Bald cypress swamp of awesome beauty year around. While the Texas side of the lake is a cypress swamp, the Louisiana side has more open water.

Recreation & Access

With ten official paddling trails in the region, the Caddo area now has over 50 miles of canoe and kayak trails for paddlers. Follow the trail markers posted along each of the trails to explore the mysterious maze of sloughs, swamps and bayous for which this beautiful region is known. Big Cypress Bayou, dammed by Lake of the Pines to the west of Jefferson, is the primary conveyor of water to Caddo Lake. Caddo Lake Wildlife Management Area WMA is entry by permit only . The two accepted permits are either an Annual Public Hunting Permit or a Limited Public Use permit. Please see the Annual Public Hunting Permit webpage.

Featured Runs, Paddling Trails

Big cypress bayou.

Benton Lake Paddling Trail (2.4 miles loop) Clear Lake Paddling Trail (2.9 miles miles loop) Haggerty Creek Paddling Trail (5 miles loop) Mill Pond Paddling Trail (7.2 miles loop) Old River II Paddling Trail (3 miles loop)

Carter’s Chute Paddling Trail (7.6 miles loop) Cathedral Paddling Trail (3.8 miles loop) Hell’s Half Acre Paddling Trail (8.8 miles loop) Old Folks Playground Paddling Trail (4.9 miles loop) Turtle Shell Paddling Trail (4.6 miles loop)

Historical and Cultural Significance

Caddo Lake has the popular misconception that it is the only natural lake in Texas. However, it must be recognized there are many natural lakes in Texas. First it must be acknowledged that a man-made dam was installed on Caddo Lake in the early 20th Century. Second, there is the natural Sabine Lake (Sabine River) and Green Lake (Guadalupe River) both near the coast. There are natural playa lakes in the High Plains of West Texas and many natural oxbow lakes along the Trinity, Brazos, Sabine and Neches Rivers. Oxbows are called resacas in the Rio Grande Valley. Claudia Alta Taylor aka, First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson was born on December 22, 1912, in Karnack, Texas , a town in Harrison County , near Caddo Lake. Jefferson is a historic small town that remains somewhat unchanged from its 19th-century past as a riverboat port. You can walk the original streets, tour authentic buildings and relive its colorful history. It has numerous antique stores, restaurants, museums, antique homes and an old-fashioned general store. Annual events in Jefferson include a historic homes tour in May.

Conservation and Threats

The “American” Paddlefish ( Polyodon spathula ) is now the only surviving paddlefish species on the planet. Historically there were six species, with the second to last remaining, the “Chinese” paddlefish ( Psephurus glades, ) declared extinct in 2020. The “American” paddlefish has inhabited Caddo Lake, as well as other rivers and bayous of the Mississippi River Basin for over 350 million years, making these beautiful fish the oldest living species on our continent. Paddlefish are now rarely found in any rivers in Texas. The paddlefish is a filter feeder, capturing plankton on its gill strainers as it swims with its mouth open. Where they do thrive, Paddlefish can grow to seven feet, weigh 200 pounds and live for 30 years.

Against all odds, the Caddo persists, as does the endless catalog of threats, which now include feral hogs, the Emerald Ash Borer, sediment from the clear-cutting of forests, and aquatic plant invaders like Hydrilla and Crested Floating Heart. Giant salvinia ( Salvinia molesta ) from Brazil, showed up at Caddo in 2006. It forms a dense green mat so thick that canoeists often can’t paddle through it, and it eventually blocks the passage of all light into the lake, thus halting oxygen-producing photosynthesis. Salvinia can double in size every two to four days and can cover 40 square miles in 90 days. In recent years, salvinia has covered as much as 60 percent of the Texas side of Caddo Lake. In the summer of 2013, Carter’s Chute was in the middle of a 7-mile-long mat of Salvinia so thick you could not see water. But it’s not all bad news. What does kill salvinia is cold weather. In 2018 and 2021, the harsh freezes temporarily cleared Carter’s Chute of salvinia.

Natural Features

Bald cypress, Taxodium distichum, are among the biggest, tallest and longest-lived trees in Texas. Some have reportedly reached an age of 800 to 1,200 years. Bald cypress were around with the dinosaurs. When young, they’re shaped liked Christmas trees, but as they age, the crown tends to open up and the branches lift skyward, forming a massive, lofty, overarching canopy. Bald eagles and ospreys take full advantage of the height of these trees to nest on the river. Cypress are famous for their “knees”, which are thought to provide oxygen to the roots and/or to serve as anchors. In the Great Raft of 1830 and the 2nd Great Raft (1873), most of the old cypress trees were destroyed. Now most of the cypress on Caddo Lake are no more than 150 years old. Hanging from all the Bald cypress trees, the ubiquitous Spanish moss ( Tillandsia usneoides ) is neither Spanish nor is it a moss. It is an epiphytic flowering plant that often grows upon large trees in tropical and subtropical climates. There are over 225 species of birds found at Caddo Lake. There are also snakes, alligator, raccoon, skunk, mink, nutria, white-tail deer, squirrel, beaver, armadillo, waterfowl, rabbit, hare, feral hog, frogs, turtles and many more.

The mainstays of the Caddo Lake and Big Cypress fishery are Catfish and Bass. Caddo Lake is diverse in its fish population and includes Striped bass, Largemouth bass, Yellow bass, White Bass, Spotted bass, Black and White crappie, Blue catfish, Channel catfish, Flathead catfish, Smallmouth Buffalo, Freshwater drum, Longnose gar, Bluegill, Redear and Warmouth Sunfishes.

Additional Resources

Against All Odds, Caddo Lake Prevails – Texas Highways

Caddo Lake Angling records

Caddo Lake Institute

The Paddlefish Project, Caddo Lake Institute

Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Caddo Lake State Park

TPWD Texas River/Streamflow

Dallas Down River Club ‘Caddoween’

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The Best 10 Boat Tours near Caddo Lake Bayou Tours in Uncertain, TX

449 Cypress Dr, Uncertain, TX 75661

1 .  Big Cypress Tours

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What are people saying about boat tours near Karnack, TX?

This is a review for boat tours near Karnack, TX:

"We took a sunrise boat tour with Mike and it was amazing to see the sun peak out of the sky and welcome us on the calmness and serenity of the bayou. We saw American Lotus plants growing and they are gorgeous. They smell so good and fragrant. We learned that cypress, which lives in water, can't germinate in water. We saw all types of birds and egrets. They are gorgeous. I'm so glad we took this tour."

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Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou, Texas in Autumn

This primordial swampland adds a unique new dimension to fall color photography.

Straddling the borders of Texas and Louisiana, Caddo Lake and the Big Cypress Bayou comprise an extensive 26,800-acre maze of channels, meandering bayous, sloughs, and cypress thickets.  This misty primordial swampland adds a new wild and haunting dimension to “fall color” photography.  Here, in the Deep South, majestic bald cypress trees reflected in tranquil dark tannin-rich waters are transformed with color in autumn, with an exuberant explosion of fiery burnt orange, red, gold and russet.

Thick ghostly drapes of Spanish moss hang from every branch as fog drifts amidst gnarled and buttressed cypress trunks.  Abstract shapes of cypress knees protrude above mirrored water as herons and egrets use them from which to hunt amidst the giant trees. We are out in the predawn hours making our way to locales of graphic intensity.  We visit the most stunning groups of trees and cypress corridors prior to the golden hour, hoping to photograph tree reflections and ethereal mist before sunrise.  Then we continue as dappled golden light filters through the canopy above.  In the afternoon we return to these backwaters in our flat-bottomed jon boats, hopeful for beautiful colors of the sky and tree silhouettes at sunset.

In October 1993, Caddo Lake was designated a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention—an international treaty which seeks to conserve wetlands throughout the world.  The area protects a wealth of wildlife and is an important migratory stopover for birds prior to their continuing journey southward on the Central Flyway, as well as for those that overwinter here.  The wetland boasts one of the most diverse plant communities in Texas, rivaling almost any in the country.  Beneath the surface of the black water, prehistoric American paddlefish swim.  The species, which is 50 million years older than the dinosaurs, and now the only surviving paddlefish species on Earth, was restocked into Caddo Lake in 2020. Join us as we venture into the world of the bald cypress as we set out to capture a collection of moody and strikingly beautiful images of these venerable trees of southern swamps.  This trip provides extraordinary landscape photography, great fall color and a dash of wildlife photography to top it off.

Tour Itinerary

In these afternoons we are out on the water again to get in position for areas of strong fall color, golden hour, and hopefully to silhouette these graphic trees against a fiery sunset. (BLD)

Day 5 We experience our final sunrise photo shoot from our boats this morning. After breakfast, we collect our luggage and return to Shreveport by noon. (B)

 Van Os Photo Safaris is an Authorized Permittee of Caddo Lake State Park

Tour Details

2025 Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou, Texas in Autumn: Easy Activity Level:

Tour Highlights

• Create graphic imagery of iconic fall-colored cypress trees at this premier Texas location and refine your landscape photographic skills
• A new “fall color” photo destination with a totally different ambience than northern deciduous forests
• Four photographers and one photo leader in both of our boats
• Knowledgeable and experienced local boatmen guide us to prime backwater areas with peak timing for photography
• Trip fee includes all meals, lodging, state park entrance fees, boat and ground transportation, photo guides and instruction

Tour Leaders

Melissa scott.

Trip Reports

Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou 2023 Trip Report

Day 1 Plan to arrive at the Shreveport, Louisiana Airport by 11 AM where the group assembles for a short drive to our accommodations in Marshall, Texas. It is recommended that participants with tight airline schedules arrive in Shreveport a day earlier and stay at a nearby airport hotel and take the hotel airport shuttle to our airport meeting place to be announced. Following orientation at our hotel, we grab our gear and head out for our first afternoon photo session. (D)

Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris Enrollment Information

2025 caddo lake and big cypress bayou, texas in autumn.

Nov 06 – Nov 10 2025

ENROLLMENT CONDITIONS 1. REGISTRATION A deposit and a signed Registration Form are required to reserve a place on a Van Os Photo Safari.

2. PAYMENTS, CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

All prices are quoted in US dollars and all payments must be paid in US dollars. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, personal checks, and bank transfers for payment. Trip deposits are not refundable.

We must receive written notice of your cancellation; at which time the following cancellation fees apply:

Trip deposits are non-refundable. 150-91 days prior to tour: 50% of tour fee is refunded if we have received your payment in full. 90-61 days prior to tour: 25% of tour fee is refunded if we have received your payment in full. 60 days prior to tour: All payments made are non-refundable.

3. TRIP INSURANCE We strongly encourage you to protect your travel investment and purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes emergency evacuation coverage. We can provide travel insurance options, or it can be purchased independently. A CANCEL FOR ANY REASON policy is available. Trip participants without travel protection insurance are considered “self-insured.” Without insurance you assume all risks and losses for any conditions requiring your cancellation.

4. HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Van Os Photo Safaris are within the capabilities of average people in good health. Some of these trips require the capability of walking for several miles over uneven trails, stepping from a small boat to a wave-washed rocky beach, flying in small planes and helicopters, and occasionally hiking at high elevations—all while carrying an assortment of camera equipment. If you have concerns about your own capabilities and/or fitness as it relates to a trip, please inquire with our office before reserving a space. By forwarding a signed Registration Form and trip deposit, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions of disability that would create a risk for you, or other trip participants and you agree to inform our office in writing if changes in your health, including viral illnesses, occur any time prior to the tour. We reserve the right to request a doctor's statement of good health. The company's or trip leader's judgment shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual's ability to embark upon or to continue a trip. Once a trip has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special dietary requirements. Participants are asked to refrain from smoking with or near the group.

5. CONTACT SCHEDULE

Participants will receive three emails before the trip departs: 1. Initial Tour Information confirms the deposit and provides pre-departure information. 2. Practical Tour Information provides clothing and photo gear recommendations, climate data, and applicable health advisories. Visa information will also be included (if applicable). 3. Final Tour Information includes arrival instructions, itinerary revisions (if any), hotel addresses, trip telephone contact information and participant list. We provide the trip leader's telephone number(s) and/or email address with final documents so you can inquire about special photographic questions you may have regarding your trip. We welcome your calls or email messages to [email protected].

6. PHOTO SAFARI TRIP FEE INCLUSIONS

Information supplied upon enrollment describes the specific details that are included in your trip fee. Generally, these include lodging in double room occupancy, all meals (specified in the itinerary as BLD denoting breakfast, lunch, or dinner), ground transportation during the trip in vans or small buses, internal tour air transportation as specified, meal and baggage tipping, and guide services provided by the trip leaders. Not included are airfare or other transportation from your home to the trip staging location, airport departure taxes, insurance, alcoholic beverages, and bar expenses (plus bottled water and soft drink expenses on international tours outside of North America), tips and gratuities to local guides, phone calls, passport or visa expenses, laundry, or items of a personal nature. Gratuities to Van Os Photo Safaris trip leaders are optional and always appreciated. Rates are based on group tariffs; if the trip does not have sufficient registration, a small party supplement may be charged.

Most of our trips are priced in double occupancy (shared) accommodation. Single accommodation is available for a supplemental cost in many locations; see the pre-departure trip information or call our office for details. You will be charged the single supplement fee if you desire single accommodation or if you wish to have a roommate, but one is not available. In some remote locations, clients with single rooms are infrequently compelled to share a room due to circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, appropriate per diem refunds will be made reflecting the direct cost of the single room at the facility where clients are required to share. There is no additional single supplement fee on ship-based cruises if you request a roommate and one is not available.

Cost increases may occur unexpectedly due to rising costs of airfares, ground transport, fuel surcharges, accommodations, and currency fluctuations, among others. Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. may be compelled to amend prices, and we reserve the right to do so without prior notice. An increase in trip prices shall not be sufficient grounds for any refund of funds paid for the trip other than as determined by the terms of our cancellation policy.

7. LOGISTICS

Whenever possible, our trip participants are lodged in comfortable, modern hotels. We select among the best available accommodations but refrain from extravagance. Some interesting photographic destinations are far removed from modern amenities, however, and where necessary we will be accommodated in rustic country inns, cabins, or tented camps.

Meals are always a special part of our trips for the camaraderie they engender and the opportunity they provide to try new foods from different areas. Depending on the trip and specific locale, participants order restaurant meals from the full menu or, less frequently, table d'hôte. Some trips include picnic lunches in the field. Fruit juice for breakfast and coffee or tea is included with the meals. Soft drinks are included with meals on tours within North America. Participants are responsible for their own bar tab (including bottled water, soft drinks, as well as alcoholic beverages on tours outside of North America) at restaurant lunches and dinners.

Our itineraries are intended as examples only. Participants should allow for flexibility due to changes in weather, natural history or cultural events, or other logistical arrangements deemed necessary by Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., or our leaders.

The second tour leader (and any subsequent additional leaders) listed for each trip on the website will be added as the group size warrants. If only one space remains on a trip, and logistics permit, we accept two people traveling together, even if it exceeds the trip maximum.

8. RESPONSIBILITY

Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. and/or their Agents act only as agents for the passenger (trip participant) in regard to travel including, but not limited to, sightseeing, meals, lodging, transportation, and all other services whether by railroad, motor coach, automobile, van, boat, ship or aircraft or any other conveyance, and they assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts, bankruptcy or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the trip.

They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay, cancellations or changes in flights or other tour services, and by force majeure including sickness, weather, strike, war, volcanic eruption, terrorist acts, political unrest, quarantine, epidemics, pandemics and outbreaks, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as trip fees provide for arrangements only for the times and locations stated. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.

The right is reserved to 1) substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transport where deemed necessary, or caused by changes in flight schedules or equipment substitution; 2) cancel any trip prior to departure due to low enrollment, in which case full refund of the paid trip funds will be given, but Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. is not responsible for any other trip preparation expenses such as penalized or non -refundable air tickets, visa fees, travel insurance premiums and medical related expenses; 3) At the company’s sole discretion, suspend or postpone any trip due to force majeure or disease outbreak in which case the trip may be rescheduled, or a refund issued less any non-refundable deposits paid to tour component providers on behalf of the passenger, or a travel credit given, but Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. is not responsible for any other trip preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 4) substitute trip leader(s) for the leader(s) originally specified, in which case the substitution is not a basis for participant cancellation or refund other than provided by our normal cancellation policy; or 5) accept or retain any person as a member of any trip.

Trip prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein.

A signed Registration Form with the Enrollment Conditions and Release and Assumption of Risk sections must be returned by each participant prior to the commencement of the trip. Participation by any trip member will be declined in the absence of the signed Registration Form including the Release and Assumption of Risk section, with no trip fee refund. No modification to the Registration Form including the Release and Assumption of Risk section will be accepted.

Should Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., or anyone acting on their behalf be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this agreement, the enrolling trip participant(s) agree(s) to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs. In the event a lawsuit is filed, the enrolling participant(s) agree(s) to do so solely in the County of Lewis in the State of Washington.

ENROLLMENT CONDITIONS AGREEMENT & RELEASE & ASSUMPTION OF RISK

I have read, understand, and agree to the terms, conditions, and provisions of the enrollment information, as stated on the Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc website and the Enrollment Conditions section of this form, especially noting the policy on cancellations, refunds, and limitations on responsibility.  I further agree to the limit on liability as stated below and on the Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc website.

I am aware that during any trip or tour that I am voluntarily participating in under the arrangements of Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., a Washington corporation, and its employees, agents and associates, certain risks and dangers exist while traveling in the United States, foreign countries, and wilderness areas in any country or territory that include the possibility of property damage, bodily injury, and death. There is a possibility of accident or illness occurring without access to immediate or timely medical treatment or facilities. There is a risk of tropical or communicable diseases that may require quarantine and removal from the tour at my expense, food-related illnesses, the risk of personal injury and property damage or delay or inconvenience by forces of nature, wildlife or wildlife models, quarantine, political instability, acts of terrorism, strikes, government restrictions or regulations change, thefts, and the risk of accidents during travel while on foot or by aircraft, train, automobile, van, bus, boat, ship, or other conveyance. I understand that such risks cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of this trip or tour. In consideration of, and as part payment for the right to participate in such trips, tours and/or other activities and services arranged for me by Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, agents and associates, I have and do hereby assume all risks, and hereby release Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, shareholders, agents and associates, and will hold them harmless from any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, debts, claims, and demands of every kind and nature, howsoever caused, which I now have or which may arise of or in connection with any of my trips or tours and participation in any activities arranged for me by Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, agents and associates.

Should Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this Agreement, I agree to indemnify them and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs. In the event a lawsuit is filed, I agree to do so solely in the County of Lewis in the State of Washington and further agree that the substantive law of that state shall apply in that action without regard to the conflict-of-law rules of that state. The terms hereof shall serve as a release and assumption of all risk for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, and for all members of my family.

If any part, article, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this Agreement is not enforceable, the affected provision shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring it within the requirements of the law, and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. may take photos and video during your photo tour and use them for promotional purposes. By making a trip reservation with us, you agree to let us use your name and likeness in any images and video in which you may appear, for our promotional materials, website, or advertising. We may also use any written reviews or photos and video you may provide us with for use on our website and in any advertising and all other forms of publicity. If you prefer to be excluded from this proviso, please let your tour leader know at the beginning of your trip.

I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc., its employees, shareholders, agents, and associates, based on any and all claims from which I have released them.

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Fun, historic, and informative trip on... - Turning Basin Riverboat Tours

• United States    
• Texas (TX)    
• Jefferson    
• Jefferson - Things to Do    
• Turning Basin Riverboat Tours

Throughly enjoyed the information our tour guide provided. The waterway is very pretty and this... read more

Nice calm ride down a real bayou, riding in a true Texas historical tiny river boat, The tour guide... read more

Fun, historic, and informative trip on the Big Cypress Bayou

My husband and I both loved this 1 hour boat trip on the river by Jefferson. Our guide (who I think is the owner of the business) was hilarious, and told us a lot about the history of the area as well as things about his life there growing up. We had no idea that there was so much history in this former riverport town. There is not a ton to actually see on the cruise (you basically see the banks of the river on both sides with trees), but his storytelling was fabulous and we both really enjoyed the time. Also - you owe it to yourself to go into the cabin (er-shack?) where the tickets are sold to view the eclectic collection of used books for sale. It's a hoot! Tips: - We went in the middle of July, so it was very hot (thankfully, we were on the first boat in the morning). Wear sunscreen and bug spray. - Get there early - our tour filled up fast - Call before you go so you know exactly what times they are going out. Their hours vary by day of the week and possibly during different months or for holidays they do more / less - He said sometimes if it's a dry year, he can't run the boat in the later summer. (I had no idea the river was so shallow - but he said it's only a few feet deep!) So, again, call before you go. - If you have trouble with steps, I don't know how you would do this ride. I posted a picture of the stairs you have to go on to get onto the boat - they are steep!

My husband and I took this tour and very much enjoyed it. The tour is an hour long - a perfect amount of time to get a good view of the bayou and learn some interesting facts about Jefferson during the Post-Civil War era. Our guide was both knowledgeable and humorous.

Ride through the bayou on the boats we rode as kids at Six Flags Over Texas! Even my non-sentimental brother got excited about that fact as we cruised the bayou in historic Jefferson, Texas with an enthusiastic, humorous guide who kept us in a merry mood. The only reason this is a 'four' rather than a '5' is that there isn't a lot to see on the tour except more riverbank and water, but that's not the fault of the tour operators. The super-reasonable price for this one-hour tour makes it an exceptional way to hear the fascinating history of Jefferson and enjoy a relaxing, really down-home bit of southern hospitality.

This past weekend we took the boat tour and really loved hearing all the history of Jefferson's past. The history of the river port town is much more impressive while you are on the boat imagining the huge boats that once came here to bring cotton, hay, market items and travelers looking for a better life in Texas. Our guide for the day was John Nance who knows the history inside and out. His stories are historic facts not fiction so you really feel the history. This time of year the river is really low but John was able to navigate extremely well. I would recommend this tour as one to take for sure.

This is cool. Just S. of town turn by the sign on the right. House has a lot of character as does much of Jefferson. I wish we had done this when we 1st got to town as the operator has much knowledge of town history. He is colorful with the stories too. Boat adequate for this and he carries pictures on board to compliment some of the stories he tells. About an hour long and can't be beat for the price!!!

I have been on the tour many times and I always enjoy the history!

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Paddle Through The World's Largest Cypress Forest Hiding In Deep East Texas

Katie Lawrence

Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015. Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).

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We’ve talked at length about Caddo Lake , and for good reason. Not every state is blessed with such an amazing natural wonder, and you can explore the majestic, wooded landscape firsthand by renting a kayak from Ole Mossy’s Up River. Offering excursions on Big Cypress Bayou, a little-known and especially scenic portion of the lake, Ole Mossy’s lets you experience the world’s largest cypress forest like never before.

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Visit the Ole Mossy’s Up River Facebook page for more information about their kayak rentals.

Have you ever kayaked Caddo Lake? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments section below! Tell us how it went, then check out our previous article for a great restaurant to try while you’re in the area.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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The Mystery of Big Cypress Bayou

A few pretty photos on the Internet and a list of local attractions didn’t prepare us for the reality of Jefferson, Texas. We were greeted by narrow streets lined with old-growth magnolia trees. There were elegant homes, both large and small, with wide front porches and gingerbread trim. It seemed almost everyone had planted flowers, and those who had not, had invested in plastic ones. Everywhere we looked, it was very green and colorful.

The buildings along the downtown streets retain their nineteenth-century facades. You sense there was a bygone era of great wealth. You can’t help but wonder why this tiny town, situated in the middle of the East Texas piney woods, possesses so much southern grace and charm.

We found the answer on Big Cypress Bayou

We were on our way to a vineyard when we saw a sign for a riverboat tour. We usually choose wine over boat rides on brown bayous, but as we crossed the bridge, we could see cypress trees shading the waterway. It looked inviting so we followed the arrow to a small shack.

That’s when we met Captain John Nance. He purchased his riverboats from the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park back in the 1980s.  Typically, this waterway is a slow moving stream, but due to a release of water from Lake O’ the Pines to the north, the water level was up the day of our tour. It moved us along rather quickly.

Once on the water, we realized it wasn’t so brown after all. It was actually beautiful on Big Cypress Bayou.

Captain John told us all about the snapping turtles, three-hundred-pound gars, and alligators that inhabit the waters. Seems all of them can bite your foot off. This bayou may be pretty, but it’s not for swimming.

And this is Bigfoot territory too. Looking deep into the woods, it seems possible that mystical creatures flourish here. Jefferson hosts an annual Bigfoot conference each October. If you happen to be a cryptozoologist at heart, use this link and sign up.   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-texas-bigfoot-conference-tickets-32303428424

Big Cypress Bayou holds the key to the past affluence of Jefferson, Texas. Captain John shared that story as well.

Big Cypress Bayou flows into the Red River. The Red River flows into the Mississippi. For centuries, there had been a logjam on the Red River that stretched for over one-hundred-and-thirty miles.   In the early 1840s, steamboat captain, Henry Miller Shreve, cleared logs from below the jam to allow navigation from the town that bears his name, Shreveport, Louisiana, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. It allowed large boats to travel down Big Cypress Bayou as well. Riverboats, two hundred feet long, moved cotton from Jefferson all the way to New Orleans. Supplies and settlers from New Orleans, traveled by boat all the way to the little port town of Jefferson. By 1845, Jefferson’s inland port was the second largest in Texas (after Galveston) and Jefferson was one of the state’s largest cities — a booming and prosperous place.

Prosperity lasted until the early 1870s when the Corp of Engineers attacked the logjam with a newly developed tool – nitroglycerin. Their goal was to improve navigation on the Red River all the way to Arkansas. Clearing the logjam changed the Red River Valley forever. Water levels dropped. On Big Cypress Bayou, navigation became difficult and the town of Jefferson slowly fell into decline.

Fortunately, for those of us visiting now, tourism flourishes. Today, Jefferson bears the label, “Bed and Breakfast Capital of Texas”.

We had a wonderful time in Jefferson. Can’t wait to tell you the rest.

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FLOATING THROUGH FALL COLORS OF THE CYPRESS SWAMPS

A photography workshop and kayaking tour through caddo lake and big cypress bayou., november 2 - 6, 2024 *** 1 space left ***, there is something eerily beautiful about this place. stillness is the first word that comes to mind. moody, haunting and breathtaking are others. these silent swamps filled with bald cypress trees, which are some of the oldest trees in the world, can often be shrouded in a layer of mist rising from the water. everything dead quiet until a great blue heron squawks to break the silence. this is a typical scene for a morning spent on the bayou. either wandering along the shorelines, or floating in a kayak, the experience of being here in such an undisturbed place feels almost as if being in a church on the water. each tree covered in a veil of spanish moss, slowly turning a little more vibrant orange or red with each passing day. nothing moves except for a fish here, or a bird over there., the photography here is slow, patient, and absolutely wonderful. we will experience this truly one of a kind landscape by foot, by pontoon boat, and by kayak (the best way possible). on this 5 day photography workshop on caddo lake, which straddles texas and louisiana, we will be surrounded by calming waters, remarkable biodiversity, and big cypress trees. we’ll move at a leisurely pace to appreciate and enjoy the experience of the landscape as much as we are there to photograph it’s unique beauty. with compositions and color in every direction you can expect to come away with images that are truly your own and not to be duplicated by anyone else. there are no iconic shots here, only a extraordinary blackwater ecosystem with ancient trees that surely have stories to tell. and capturing a glimpse of their long story through the lens of your camera is something pretty special. click here to see my full portfolio from the bayou., this is certainly not a typical landscape photography workshop. more like a floating water adventure the best images will be made while we are immersed in cypress trees out on the lakes and swamp waters. so we will be throwing the usual landscape photography techniques out of the canoe as far as settings are concerned. all useful tricks and techniques that i have picked up to photograph these scenes will be shared before we go out for our very first shoot. we will also have classroom time scheduled as well to demonstrate and practice post processing workflows to help bring your images to life, the majority of this workshop will be by kayak, paddling into small coves surrounded by bald cypress trees, reaching areas that larger boats just cannot access. having prior experience in a kayak is important to be comfortable and take one less worry away while handling camera gear over the waterways. if you have any questions of what this entails please contact us ., all lodging and meals are included in this workshop. lodging will be at three beautiful luxury homes right on caddo lake in uncertain, texas. each home is complete with fire pits, overwater gazebos, boat docks, a hot tub and a private bedroom and bathroom for each participant. meals will be prepared by a local gourmet chef specializing in southern creole cuisine. needless to say we have taken great care to ensure that your comfort and accommodations only enhance the experience that you’ll have in this unique place.,                            , instructors: chris byrne & nicole pino, group size: 7 participants maximum, cost: $4550 (all lodging and meals included), deposit: a 50% deposit is required to secure a spot with the final 50% balance due 60 days prior to workshop., 4 nights accommodations in one of three luxury lakeside homes (houses will be shared by the group but each participant will get their own bedroom and private bathroom), all meals prepared fresh by local gourmet chef., kayak use for the entire workshop., not included:, camera gear, airline flights, transportation (rental car), additional dates: november 7 - 11, 2024 more details.

We will meet on day one, November 2, in the early afternoon at our main house for a meet and greet and orientation of the areas we will be photographing, including the best techniques to capture good images in the field while in a moving boat. From there we will head out for sunset followed by dinner back at the house. The days that follow will begin well before sunrise as we explore either by kayak or pontoon boat (with our knowledgeable local captain) to capture as much of the early light and potential fog that we can that can make for some really ethereal imagery. We will then return either for a late breakfast or even lunch, depending on how everyone feels out on the water. While photography is the primary goal of this workshop, paddling through these waterways is a such a peaceful and personal experience that we can certainly linger for hours taking in the incredible scenery. We will conduct classroom editing sessions in the middle of the day and head out again in the afternoon for more photography into sunset. The workshop will conclude after our sunrise session on November 6.

USEFUL INFO / PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY

Participants should expect to be in a kayak for up to 6 hours a day and be able to paddle or float for that time period. there will be no hiking on this workshop and photography from the shorelines will be a short and easy walk. the kayaks that we use are basically small one person canoes with a fully open top. they are rated up to 354 lbs capacity and very sturdy, stable, and spacious. if you have your own kayak that you would prefer to bring then please do so., temperatures this time of year can range from 40 - 70 degrees, with colder mornings expected. it will be important to wear layers of clothing that can also get wet. the depth of caddo lake averages 4 feet, so should you fall out of your kayak it will be easy to get back in. also at this time of year the temperatures are too cold and alligators are dormant for the most part and very rare to see., accomodations / airport, enjoy your own private bedroom and bathroom in one of the three lakeside luxury cabins that we have rented in uncertain, texas. our main house will be a four bedroom cabin with fire pit, hot tub, and dock to launch our kayaks right into the water whenever we’d like. also included will be gourmet meals freshly prepared by a local chef (likely brunch and dinner each day). lodging is included for the nights of november 2 - 5, checking out on november 6., the nearest major airport is dallas which is a three hour drive to our location. other airports options are shreveport, louisiana (45 min drive), baton rouge and new orleans., a standard rental car will be fine for this workshop., what you can expect, a journey into a haunting and historical landscape. caddo lake is a place that seems to be frozen in time with ancient bald cypress trees making incredibly interesting photographic subjects that change dramatically with the light and fall colors coming in. it may seem like this area is becoming more popular for photography, but what you will find out on the water is solitude as well as peace and quiet to practice image making and capturing just the right slice of the vast beauty on the bayou., the field sessions are structured to not wear anyone out and get the most enjoyment of the surroundings and scenery. if you get tired of paddling, just float for awhile in the field techniques and tips will be provided to help capture images correctly "in camera" with the goal being that part becomes second nature and students can then focus on the creative aspects of landscape and nature photography. post processing instruction will run the gamut of importing and organizing files into lightroom to processing images in lightroom and photoshop and finally prepping images for the internet or for print. i am an open book and willing to share any tips or tricks i’ve learned to help you turn your photographs into art, field & classroom instruction will include:, creating compelling compositions and storytelling through images, controlling your camera in manual mode, understanding and using the histogram, finding foregrounds, filters - when & how to use them and avoiding their pitfalls, how lens selection affects the scene, technical tricks: bracketing, focus stacking, perspective blending, understanding and using light, capturing difficult scenes (getting all the pieces in the field to put together in post processing), lightroom - importing and organizing, lightroom development tools, cleaning up images - cloning tools, warping and stretching, eliminating distractions, blending images in photoshop, dodging and burning, using layers and masks, mindful sharpening (depending on the output), image critiques, recommended camera gear, etc, dslr or mirrorless camera (full frame preferred), lenses ranging from mid-range zoom 24-70mm to telephoto (400mm). longer lenses work great here and are what i use the most, specifically my 100-400mm., camera manual, memory cards, a very sturdy and tall tripod, minimum of 60” tall, cable release trigger, filters (circular polarizing filters and solid nd filters for long exposures, graduated nd filter is not necessary), lens cloths, rocket blower, etc. , computer with adobe lightroom and photoshop,   recommended gear - clothing, etc., quick dry, lightweight long pants and shirts, layers of warm clothing, shoes that can get wet or muck boots.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Expert local knowledge and photography instruction, lodging in a luxury home right on the lake with amazing amenities, meals prepared by a local gourmet chef, kayak use for the entire workshop, all park fees, what's not included, camera gear, total cost: $4550, 50% deposit is required to reserve a space, final payment is due 60 days in advance, our accomodations.

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MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

CHRIS BYRNE

Hello there i’m chris byrne and i spent way too many years aimlessly wandering the earth and working for the man before finding my true passion in nature and landscape photography. my love of nature started very early in life as i would study the photographs in my dad’s huge collection of national geographics, and also spend as much time as i could out exploring in the woods with my younger brother. fast forward many years and after getting a finance degree in college i went to work in the stock market for over fifteen years (and didn’t get rich). during my time, i saw first hand two of the most devastating financial crises in our country’s history, and after the second go around i completely lost interest in my profession and desperately needed something more. i found myself in a place in life without any inspiration or excitement for what i was doing., then on a trip to glacier, montana i rediscovered my love of nature. however, the photographs i was trying to get just didn’t do the place any justice. it was then that i decided to get serious about photography and quickly poured all of myself into the craft, learning as much as possible as quickly as i could. i was a super sponge and had a new passion for life as soon as i became proficient in my skills, i wanted to share my knowledge and began teaching others. now i lead workshops to some of the best places on the globe., along the way i’ve won a few awards, but with so many contests out there, i wouldn’t claim that’s a good judge of a good teacher. rather i am proud to be able to inspire others and spend as much time as i possibly can with each person in helping them connect with nature while teaching the techniques to capture the images that they want to create. seeing people make breakthroughs in their art is something that i cherish. i truly believe that nature is good for the soul. the more you explore, the more you will be inspired..

NICOLE PINO

Born and raised in utah, nicole adopted an outdoor lifestyle and love of photography at a very early age. exploring the many natural wonders of her home state fueled her passion for photography, prompting her to take things to the next level. she soon found herself happily immersed in the industry, leading photo workshops in the southwest and beyond., having an adventurous spirit, and incurable wanderlust, nicole spends most of her free time traveling, exploring and capturing the beauty around her. she is also a licensed boat captain and never passes up to a chance to get out on the water., nicole loves sharing her passion for photography with others and is most at home in the field helping clients improve their skills as well as gain confidence in themselves and their photographic vision. in addition to being an accomplished guide and instructor, nicole is familiar with the technical aspects of photography as well as various camera systems and gear., testimonials, "huge thanks for a great workshop. chris purchased his own canoes which meant that you got to use the same one for the whole trip. no need to learn a different size or shape and they were wide and extremely stable on the water. his prep was definitely the class of the field. sitting amongst all those trees and trying to find a composition can be a little overwhelming. chris provided excellent guidance the whole time and a lot of great information for what i found out was some of the most difficult landscape photography i have ever done. i'm looking forward to doing it again next year" - john montes, "chris does a great job of scouting out the best location at the best time to get you to the right spots and capture stunning photographs. i appreciate his hands on help when i need it. he also does a great job of explaining his thought process when approaching and looking at a scene, as well as when leading you through editing a photo. awesome kayaks" -summer macey, "this workshop was so fun my composition skills really improved and i feel like i became a better photographer by the end of the week. thank you" -bronwyn illingworth, "the workshop experience exceeded my expectations not only were were the locations top notch, but the other participants were kind and friendly. as a first timer to one of your workshops i can totally see why you have such high repeat clientele. you go above and beyond and make sure all in the group are getting what they came for. you somehow focus not only on the individuals in the group but the group as a whole. super stoked to have found your services if you are looking for a hands on workshop experience from a knowledgeable instructor and his team then chris byrne photography is not to be missed" -eric steele, cancellation policy, we reserve the right to cancel the workshop if minimum participants are not met or in the event of an emergency. in the event of emergency where chris cannot personally attend, then a replacement guide will be the first option. if a cancellation does occur, participants may either use the fee towards a future workshop or receive a full refund. we are not responsible for travel expenses incurred and therefore strongly recommend travel insurance to cover such costs., a $200 change fee will be charged for changes or cancellations. participants who cancel prior to 90 days before the workshop will receive either a full refund or credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. any cancellations within 90 days of the workshop cannot be refunded under any circumstances. only if we are able to fill the vacancy, will the participant will receive a credit to a future workshop minus the change fee. workshop credits are good for one calendar year from the date of the missed workshop., any cancellations within 30 days of the workshop (for any reason) will forfeit their entire registration fee as it is extremely difficult to fill the space on that short of notice. if a true emergency arises last minute we will do our best to work with you granting a partial credit towards a future workshop, but this is not guaranteed. again travel insurance is strongly recommended..