Article & photos courtesy of Only In Your State & Jackie Ann
Straddling the Texas and Louisiana border, the Toledo Bend Reservoir is one of the best places for nature lovers to spend the day. This massive man-made lake has some impressive stats: with 1,200 miles of shoreline and a surface area of 185,000 acres, it’s the largest man-made body of water in the south, the fifth-largest in the country, and offers endless hours of fun for outdoor recreation.
The history behind how Toledo Bend came to be is very interesting. The reservoir was created through a mutual partnership between Louisiana and Texas.
Gary Coberly/Google
The area often flooded from the Sabine River and was causing so much destruction that both states formed departments to begin this massive project. Texas formed the Sabine River Authority of Texas and Louisiana formed the Sabine River Authority, and both entities combined in the early 1950s to form the Sabine River Compact. The goal was to alleviate the disastrous flooding, create a freshwater supply that included hydroelectric power, and provide outdoor recreation for the communities nearby.
The project was completed in 1969 and costs about $70 million from start to finish.
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The dam was built by both states, without any assistance from the federal government. It’s the only hydroelectric power plant in the country to be built without financing from the government, which is pretty impressive!
On the Louisiana side, you’ll find two state parks nestled around the reservoir.
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They're appropriately named North Toledo Bend State Park and South Toledo Bend State Park.
You’ll never run out of things to do in either park.
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Both state parks offer boat ramps, canoe rentals, nature trails, and swimming opportunities. If you choose to visit South Toledo Bend State Park, make sure to check its website before you go, as the park is undergoing some road repairs and is temporarily closed through August 2022.
The reservoir attracts fishermen from all over the country.
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It's a top destination for bass fishing, but you also may reel in a prized catfish, crappie, or carp if you're lucky.
Kayaking or canoeing is one of the best ways to experience Toledo Bend.
Matt Smith/Google
Hug the shoreline and weave throughout the beautiful cypress trees for an entirely new perspective. You might even spot some local wildlife also enjoying the water. You can bring your own and launch from one of the state parks or rent one of theirs for the day.
There are plenty of cabins available to rent at North Toledo Bend State Park, so you can spend a long weekend on the water without feeling rushed.
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Go solo or bring the whole family, each cabin can sleep up to six people, so you'll have plenty of space.
Be sure to follow both North Toledo Bend and South Toledo Bend State Parks on Facebook so you can stay up to date on future events, closures, and fishing opportunities.
For even more awesome lakes, check out our previous article where we highlighted some of our favorite swimming holes in Louisiana. If you’ve ever spent a day on the water at Toledo Bend, share your memories with us in the comments!