A Guide to Paddling and Kayaking in Louisiana
Here's your guide to Louisiana's paddling trails, from serene bayous and cypress swamps to thrilling rivers and blue backwaters.
At a Glance
- Louisiana's paddle trails offer unforgettable adventures through scenic bayous, cypress swamps, rivers and lakes.
- Explore iconic waterways like the Atchafalaya Basin and Bayou Teche while spotting alligators, wading birds, turtles and other native wildlife along the way.
- Paddle destinations span every corner of the state, from peaceful state parks and national forests to coastal marshes and urban bayous near New Orleans.
- Whether you're planning a quick day trip or a weekend getaway, Louisiana's diverse waterways make it easy to reconnect with nature from the seat of a kayak or canoe.
Paddling Louisiana’s waters, you’ll pass under mysterious canopies, see elegant birdlife and even brush past the occasional alligator. Instead of the fast-rushing “white waters” found elsewhere, here you find quiet exploration in the labyrinthine bayous, rivers and sloughs that cover the state.
“It’s a unique experience,” says Brad Wagstaff, an avid paddler who grew up on Louisiana’s waters. “Here you have the opportunity to just lose yourself.”
Where to Kayak and Paddle in Louisiana
North Louisiana
Bayou Bartholomew and Chemin-A-Haut State Park offer some of the loveliest day floats in the state. Bayou Chemin-A-Haut is walled on both sides by what Ernest Herndon, author of the book "Canoeing Louisiana," describes as “a veritable gallery of cypress trees.”
South Louisiana
Near Lake Charles, the Whiskey Chitto Creek is a popular spot. There are plenty of rental options in Mittie — a town that bills itself as the canoe capital of Louisiana.
Just a short drive from New Orleans, discover the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Segnette State Park and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, which all offer rentals.
The Bayou Teche
Within the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area lies the Bayou Teche National Water Trail, a 135-mile-long waterway listed on the National Water Trail System. In Lafayette, check out the Bayou Vermilion Paddle Trail in the Bayou Vermilion District, where recreation areas, boat and canoe launches and historical markers are highlighted.
Grand Isle State Park & Bayou St. John
Grand Isle State Park offers the opportunity to canoe or kayak in Gulf waters. For a purely urban paddling experience, check out Bayou St. John, where you can paddle through the calm water of a scenic waterway and enjoy the scenery right inside the city of New Orleans. The short route takes you through a historic residential area along both banks of the bayou with interesting neighborhood views.
How to Spot Wildlife
You’ll spot gorgeous birdlife like egrets, herons and roseate spoonbills across the state, especially in places like Blind River, Lake Fausse Pointe and Henderson Swamp. The key to exploring these areas, Wagstaff says, is to point your boat into the less-traveled areas. “To see a lot of the wild country in Louisiana, you have to do it by water."
For additional resources on trails and facilities, see Louisiana’s State Parks, The TECHE Project and our guide to kayaking and paddling in Louisiana.
