Aurora at Caddo Lake: An Unexpected Texas Surprise

A Rare Night on the Bayou

Last month I traveled to Uncertain, Texas, to co-lead my annual photography workshop at Caddo Lake. I’ve grown familiar with this place over the past four years, but it never loses its magic. The quiet bayou, the slow dark water, and the ancient bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss create a world that feels untouched by time.

What I didn’t expect was that I would witness a rare aurora at Caddo Lake, something almost unheard of that far south.

The Moment Everything Changed

My co-leader, Alyce Bender, and I had wrapped up our day and were preparing to turn in early. We had an early morning ahead, the humid Texas air had drained our energy, and were anxious to call it a day. On a whim, before we went to sleep, I checked my phone and saw friends posting incredible photos of the northern lights from all over the country.

I joked that maybe we could see it from there in southeastern Texas. Alyce laughed, but I knew I wouldn’t sleep unless I checked. So I grabbed my camera and tripod and went looking for an opening through the moss covered trees to the northern sky.

Within seconds I could see a faint red glow with my naked eyes. A couple of test shots confirmed it-the unmistakable colors of the aurora stretching across the Texas sky.

Chasing the Aurora at Caddo Lake

I rushed back to the lodge with a look that apparently needed no explanation. As soon as I showed Alyce the preview images, we pulled out a map and started marking potential viewpoints. We headed straight to Caddo Lake State Park.

There, among the towering cypress trees, we photographed the aurora reflecting off the still water. Seeing the aurora at Caddo Lake-framed by Spanish moss and swamp silhouettes-felt surreal.

The next night promised more activity. We hired a local guide named Todd, a man who grew up navigating every twist and hidden stump of the lake. He picked us up in a jon boat powered by a mud motor, perfect to navigate the shallow water and submerged roots.

A Night on the Water

That second night brought a weaker aurora, but it still made an appearance. We traveled out into the still lake and floated in the soft quiet of the night, framing the sky between moss-covered cypress trees with our cameras mounted to our tripods just a foot above the lake’s surface. Todd held us steady with a pole while we planted our tripods directly into the lakebed.

The quiet of the bayou, the steady glow on the horizon, and the reflection on the still water created an unforgettable experience. Even if the aurora had never shown, the night itself would have been worth it.

On our way back, Todd scanned the shoreline with his spotlight, hoping to catch the red reflection of an alligator’s eyes. We didn’t find any-probably for the best. The bayou at night has plenty of mood as it is.

Wonder in Unexpected Places

We returned with photos and memories we never expected when we packed for Texas. The surprise of the aurora, the scramble to find the best view, and the quiet journey through the dark water all reminded me that even places we visit often can still surprise us.

That’s the magic of Caddo Lake and small towns like Uncertain. Wonder shows up in unexpected ways. Sometimes you just have to be willing to lose some sleep, step outside, look up, and be ready with your camera in hand.

Save the date! November 19-22, 2026

Join us next November when we host another group at Caddo Lake. You can see more info and sign up at this link. CLICK HERE.