Campsite Odds

Booking odds · November

Tom Merrill Recreation Area in November: How Hard Is It to Book?

Tom Merrill Recreation Area · LA · Bayou Bodcau Reservoir

The verdict

Plan ahead

Booking difficulty 6 out of 10. Books up in the weeks before popular dates. Reserve early.

Rarely sells outBased on 3 years of reservation data

November rarely sells out — you can often book close to your trip.

Tom Merrill Recreation Area in November scores 6 out of 10 for booking difficulty — plan ahead. Books up in the weeks before popular dates. Reserve early.

Across the last 3 years of reservation history, the typical November booking was locked in about 11 days before arrival, with the campground running roughly 66% full that month. The lightest arrival day is Tuesday, so shifting to a midweek start is the single easiest way to improve your odds.

Lead time

How far ahead people book

Same day: 13% of bookings13%Same day1–3d: 19% of bookings19%1–3d4–7d: 11% of bookings11%4–7d1–2wk: 11% of bookings11%1–2wk2–4wk: 15% of bookings15%2–4wk1–2mo: 8% of bookings8%1–2mo2–3mo: 4% of bookings4%2–3mo3–6mo: 11% of bookings11%3–6mo6mo+: 7% of bookings7%6mo+Median booking lead time: 11 days ahead
Demand split

Weekend vs. weekday demand

Weekend (Fri–Sat)Weekday (Sun–Thu)

Best odds: arrivals are lightest on Tuesday in November. A midweek arrival is your easiest booking.

Booking window · November 2026

When November reservations open

Reservations for Tom Merrill Recreation Area in November 2026 operate on a rolling 6-month window releasing at 7:00 AM ET.

November 1 stays open

May 1, 2026

at 7:00 AM ET

Release style

6-Month Rolling Window

Releases daily 6 months ahead at 7:00 AM ET

Campsites for November 1, 2026 become bookable on May 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET. Each subsequent date throughout November releases day-by-day exactly 6 months prior to arrival.

Facility note: Standard Recreation.gov 6-month rolling window: sites become bookable 6 months before arrival at 7:00 AM ET.

Fees

How much does it cost to camp at Tom Merrill Recreation Area?

Standard Electric Site $15.00 per night. Non-electric Site $12.00 per night. Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, taxes, or incremental charges.

Fee details as listed on Recreation.gov. Rates and passes change by season, so confirm the current price on Recreation.gov before you book.

Plan B

Easier nearby options in November

If your dates are flexible, these nearby campgrounds are typically easier to book.

Beaver Dam Campground (Kisatchie National Forest, LA)

LAPlan ahead

FAQ

Tom Merrill Recreation Area in November: common questions

How hard is it to book Tom Merrill Recreation Area in November?
Tom Merrill Recreation Area rates 6 out of 10 for November — Plan ahead. Books up in the weeks before popular dates. Reserve early.
How far in advance should I book Tom Merrill Recreation Area for November?
The typical November reservation was made about 11 days before arrival, so plan to book as early as your dates allow.
When do November reservations open for Tom Merrill Recreation Area?
Reservations for Tom Merrill Recreation Area in November 2026 open on a rolling 6-month window. Sites for November 1 become bookable on May 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET, with each subsequent day releasing day-by-day 6 months ahead.
What is the best day to arrive at Tom Merrill Recreation Area in November?
Arrivals are lightest on Tuesday. A midweek arrival is usually the easiest booking.

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