Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
East Texas Pineywoods, Texas · 229 ft
One of the best mature flooded bald cypress forests in the country, with trees up to four hundred years old standing in still water. Cypress turns late and rust-brown rather than red, and the uplands behind it are pineywoods oak and hickory, so this is a different Texas fall from the hill country entirely.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Typical peak
Nov 3 – Nov 11
Long range. Treat as a planning estimate only.
Best light
Best under flat overcast
Crowds
low
Usually quieter, especially around dawn.
Getting there
Off FM 134 in Harrison County northeast of Marshall, on former Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant land. Refuge roads and trails reach the bottomland; check refuge hours before driving out.
What turns here
- bald cypress
- southern red oak
- shortleaf pine
- mockernut hickory
Color progression
Typical peak Nov 7Typical color progression for Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge. No change from Sep 30 to Oct 17. First color from Oct 17 to Oct 26. Approaching peak from Oct 26 to Nov 3. Peak from Nov 3 to Nov 11. Past peak from Nov 11 to Nov 21. Bare from Nov 21 to Dec 5.
Color starts around Oct 17.
Light at peak
Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge on November 7, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:13 AM |
| Sunrise Rises ESE · 109° | 6:39 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 35 min of low, warm light | 7:14 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:00 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 35 min before sunset | 4:46 PM |
| Sunset Sets WSW · 251° | 5:21 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 5:47 PM |
Times in America/Chicago · day length 10h 42m · computed from NOAA solar equations
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises ESE, sets WSW.
Aim within 45° of those and the canopy glows translucent. Turn your back to them for flat, accurate color.
Location pages name the light directly.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.