Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
East Texas Pineywoods, Texas · 229 ft
Typical peak
Nov 3 – Nov 11
high confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best under flat overcast
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 .
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.
Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is typically at approaching peak on Nov 1, 2026.
This season so far
First frost
None yet
No night at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
80°F / 53°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge on November 7, 2026, 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.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises ESE, sets WSW.
Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.
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.