In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · United States
Karnack
Spend a half‑day to one full day in Karnack; arrive by car, explore Caddo Lake, then leave.
Karnack is a tiny East Texas village serving as a gateway to Caddo Lake. With limited services, a single day is enough to see the lake refuge, rent a cabin or kayak, and enjoy a sunset.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (milder temps, lower humidity)
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (hot, mosquito season)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $50–80 excl. lodging · Mid $80–120 excl. lodging (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Gasoline (per gallon) | $2.80–$3.20 |
| Bottled water (500 ml) | $1.00–$1.50 |
| Fast‑food meal | $6–$9 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TYR · Tyler Pounds Regional Airport
- about 30 km (20 mi) north‑west of Karnack; rent a car for the driveabout 20 mi (30 km) north‑west of Karnack; rent a car for the drive
Typical fares
- Car rental (daily, economy)
- ≈ $45 per day, includes unlimited miles (check)
- Caddo Lake State Park entry
- $7 per person, daily
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Personal vehicle is essential; sidewalks are scarce and distances to attractions require driving.
See and do
Known for
- Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Caddo Lake State Park
- Lady Bird Johnson birthplace
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Caddo Lake State Park | Drive north 0.75 mi from TX‑43/FM‑134, turn right on FM‑2198 | ≈15 min each way |
| Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge | Drive to 15600 Highway 134, follow signs | ≈10 min each way |
Sleep
- Johnson's Ranch Marina and Cabins
- Cabins 2–5 mi NE of town, $75–150 per night, A/C, showers
- Uncertain Inn Motel
- $85 per night, lodge $200, basic rooms
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Where is the nearest gas station? | ¿Dónde está la gasolinera más cercana?donde está la gasolinera más cercana |
| Do you have Wi‑Fi? | ¿Tiene Wi‑Fi?tiene Wi‑Fi |
| How much for a cabin night? | ¿Cuánto cuesta una noche de cabaña?cuánto cuesta una noche de cabaña |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Cell service is very poor; AT&T best, Verizon marginal, T‑Mobile/Sprint none.
- Fuel stations are absent in town; fill up in Jefferson, Marshall, or Atlanta before arriving.
Generally safe; watch for alligators near water and limited cell coverage.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Karnack yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Caddo Lake State Park
- Lady Bird Johnson birthplace
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge: www.fws.gov/refuge/caddo_lake/
- Caddo Lake State Park: tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/caddo-lake
- Wikivoyage: Karnack, revision 3700069 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=3700069
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Karnack
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
US consulates are in Houston and Dallas; nearest for emergencies.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/karnack). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.