Louisiana vs. Caddo Lake Photo Tours: What Sets Them Apart

Jul 16

Explore why Louisiana's cypress swamps might be the best-kept secret in nature photography.

Interested in photographing ancient cypress trees in peaceful, crowd-free swamps? Check out the Fall 2025 Tour Details or view the Fall Tour Gallery to see what's waiting for you in Louisiana.

Fewer Tours, More Unique Images

Caddo Lake is well known among photographers—and that’s part of the problem. There are pages and pages of tour companies offering workshops there, which means lots of overlap in imagery, access, and timing.

In contrast, Louisiana's cypress swamp tours—like mine—are few and far between. You won’t be jockeying for tripod space, and you won’t come home with the same images as everyone else. In fact, most people have never heard of places like Lake Dauterive or Lake Fausse Pointe—and that’s what makes them special.

"I have been to Caddo a number of times and found that LA has just as much if not better photography potential. Both areas depend on the weather conditions for those 'killer' images. I will stick with your tours." — James Saxon

Size and Separation: Louisiana vs. Caddo

  
      Feature
      Lake Dauterive + Lake Fausse Pointe (LA)
      Caddo Lake (TX/LA)
    
      Combined Area
      ~33,500 acres
      ~25,400 acres
    
      Connected System
      Yes – narrow, seasonal channel
      Single continuous lake
    
      Navigability
      Only at high water; often impassable
      Generally accessible year-round
    
      Traffic & Tours
      Very limited; few operators
      Dozens of tour companies
    
      Image Overlap Risk
      Low – highly original
      High – frequently photographed views

The combined area of Lake Dauterive and Lake Fausse Pointe is larger than Caddo Lake. Though technically connected, they're best treated as separate destinations. I’ve navigated the narrow channel between them on several long trips, but it’s very shallow—and unless the water is high, the passage can become impassable.

There are boat launches on both lakes. It’s wise to pick one and stay there for the day. If the wind shifts after you’ve crossed between them, you may not make it back.

This natural division means each basin offers a different light, a different rhythm, and a quieter photographic experience.

Wildlife, Atmosphere, and Culture

While both regions can produce stunning images, Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin brings a flavor all its own:

Ospreys, egrets, spoonbills, ibis, and herons nest here in spring
Fog, Spanish moss, and golden cypress dominate in fall
And there’s Louisiana food and culture waiting after the shoot

Caddo has cypress and mist. Louisiana offers that—and a deeper sense of place.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for the road less traveled—with more photographic potential and fewer people traveling it—Louisiana might just surprise you.

Take a look at the Fall 2025 Cypress Swamp Tour or browse the Fall Tour Gallery and start imagining what you could create out there.

Charles Bush