Guide to Water Sports in Louisiana

At a Glance

• Louisiana's rivers, bayous, lakes and swamps offer kayaking and paddling trails suited to every skill level, from calm urban waterways in New Orleans to remote white-water routes in Central Louisiana.
• Tubing is a summertime staple in Louisiana, with popular float trips on the Bogue Chitto River and the scenic, white-sand-flanked Ouiska Chitto Creek near Denham Springs.
• North Louisiana's paddling trails double as history lessons, with routes near Poverty Point and centuries-old cypress trees at Chemin-A-Haut State Park.
• Louisiana State Parks are anchor destinations for water sports, with many offering kayak rentals, paddle trails and family-friendly splash pads on-site.
• For something truly unexpected, NOLA Gondola offers 50-minute rides through New Orleans' lagoons and waterways aboard an authentic hand-crafted Venetian gondola.

When the weather heats up in Louisiana, head to the water to paddle, tube and relax. Whether you’re launching your kayak in Lafayette, hopping in an inner tube in Denham Springs or just looking for an easy way to cool off during the summer, Louisiana delivers with rivers, lakes, bayous and swamps made for family-friendly adventure.

Kayaking, Canoeing & Paddling

New Orleans: Bayou St. John, Bayou Segnette & Bayou Sauvage

In New Orleans, urban areas and natural environments blend seamlessly, offering a scenic, peaceful — but never boring — paddling experience.

Bayou St. John takes visitors near the heart of the city, offering fantastic views of the iconic French-inspired architecture. The neighborhood views make for an interesting excursion, and it’s easy to make pit stops if you see something you want to check out.

Bayou Segnette State Park, just a short drive across the Mississippi River, is great for beginners. The water is calm and wide, with plenty of opportunities to see local wildlife. Be sure to bring your own canoe or kayak — there are no rental shops near this secluded natural haven.

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is the nation’s largest urban wildlife refuge, with plenty of options for paddlers, including bayou, canal and lake routes. Explore open freshwater and reedy marshes to see waterfowl and other wildlife.

Baton Rouge: LSU, Blueways & Tickfaw State Park

Thanks to Baton Rouge’s proximity to the Mississippi River and “America’s Foreign Country,” the Atchafalaya Basin, this area is a beautiful, diverse paddling landscape.

Love stand-up paddle boards (SUPs)? LSU students and their guests, as well as University Recreation members, can rent SUPs in two sizes from the Outdoor Recreation Center.

BREC maintains paddle trails called Blueways throughout East Baton Rouge Parish. Launch at the Highland Road Community Park to paddle Bayou Fountain and Bayou Manchac, or head to Bayou Manchac Park to launch and explore Bayou Manchac and Wards Creek from a different perspective.

Tickfaw State Park provides easy access to the Tickfaw River, perfect for a scenic paddle, featuring calm waters, minimal currents, and no sand or gravel bars. Take your time and enjoy a leisurely ride through the cypress and tupelo swamp.

South Louisiana: Cane Bayou, Fontainebleau State Park & Cajun Coast

South Louisiana is a paddler’s dream, with expansive wetlands, fantastic views and plenty of trails.

Cane Bayou is a lazy tributary of Lake Pontchartrain, perfect for novice paddlers and those seeking a light trip. Cane Bayou itself is only a mile long, but you can extend your trip by entering the nearby state park and Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge.

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville is home to some truly spectacular kayaking. Rent a single or tandem kayak on-site, and set out to wander the diverse ecosystems of Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou Cane and Bayou Castine.

Throughout the Cajun Coast, you’ll find paddling trails that traverse the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp. From Bayou Teche to Grand Avoille Cove, these trails are a great way for paddlers of all experience levels to enjoy outdoor adventure. Travel past moss-draped cypress trees, majestic oaks and an abundance of bird and animal life in this mysterious area.

Central Louisiana: Toro Bayou & Tensas River

Central Louisiana, particularly the Toledo Bend region, is famous for fishing, but the paddling is excellent here, too.

Toro Bayou is a great route for advanced paddlers. It’s beautiful and remote, with white water, rock gardens, sand beaches and numerous streams for exploration. Expect plenty of rapids along the way.

The Tensas River Paddle Trail, located in the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, is a rewarding route that gets you as close to nature as possible. Explore adjacent bayous, backwaters and tributaries to see deer, raccoons, coyotes, boars and elusive Louisiana black bears.

North Louisiana: Bayou Bartholomew, Poverty Point & Lake Bistineau State Park

North Louisiana’s paddling trails are both scenic and historically significant, so you can learn about the area’s heritage while you enjoy a day on the water.

The best way to access Bayou Bartholomew is through Chemin-A-Haut State Park, where you can rent a single-seat kayak by the hour or the day. Perhaps the most magical part of the journey is rowing into the hollow resting space of Castle Tree, a centuries-old cypress known for its strength and beauty.

Poverty Point Reservoir State Park is situated on a 2,700-acre man-made lake, perfect for a variety of water sports, including paddling. Rent a flat-bottom boat for two and watch for migratory birds in the serene coves and inlets along the shoreline.

Lake Bistineau State Park is home to an 11-mile canoe trail with an average depth of 7 feet and calm, cool waters. Love to fish? In early fall, catch black crappie, largemouth bass, catfish and red-ear sunfish.

Go Tubing

When you really want to chill, it’s hard to beat the relaxing vibe of floating down a river with friends.

Bogue Chitto River

The Bogue Chitto River is a popular spot for tubing. Access the river from Bogue Chitto State Park, located on the remote north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Rent a tube and enjoy a relaxing float down the river with Louisiana River Adventures, or take an easy but exciting trip with Bogue Chitto Tubing Center.

Ouiska Chitto Creek

In Denham Springs, check out Adventure Canoe & River Tubing Outfitters for a float down the Ouiska Chitto Creek (also called the Whiskey Chitto Creek). This 70-mile creek is one of Louisiana’s most scenic waterways, flanked by white-sand beaches and mixed pine-hardwood forests.

Ride a Gondola in New Orleans

Blend the European charm of Venice, Italy, with the undeniable appeal of “America’s Most Romantic City,” and you get NOLA Gondola in New Orleans. You’ll enjoy a magical 50-minute trip aboard a hand-crafted Venetian gondola as it glides through breathtaking lagoons, along intimate waterways and under stone-arch bridges. With a former Venice gondolier as your guide, this ultra-authentic experience is as real as you can get this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Explore a Louisiana State Park

Louisiana’s state parks are great locations for water sports, as most are located on bodies of water. Whether it’s a leisurely paddle or an exciting boating activity, there’s something available for every age and skill level.  

Many of Louisiana’s state parks even feature family-friendly splash pads and water playgrounds for the little ones. Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville features a sandy beach, a water playground and an all-inclusive playground for children of varying ages and abilities.