Caddo Lake

Perched on the border of Texas and Louisiana, this 25,400-acre lake is the second largest natural lake in the South. It also happens to be home to one of the largest cypress forests in the country, as its shores are bristling with massive bald cypress trees. It was named after the Native American Caddo tribe, who inhabited the area for thousands of years. However, the influx of foreign settlers and the discovery of oil beneath the lake's surface eventually drove them out. In 1911, the country's first over-water oil platform was built, producing over 450 barrels of oil a day for the Gulf Refining Company. Once oil production ceased and the lake became part of a state park, which is now home to alligators, river otters, bobcats, and over 70 species of fish. Now a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, this park has plenty of kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and hiking opportunities.