Louisiana Travel Guide - 2026
Scenic Waterways
2026-02-18 06:59:58
Bayou Bliss
PADDLE THROUGH LOUISIANA’S MOST SCENIC WATERWAYS
Louisiana is home to one of the most distinctive bayou ecosystems in the country, making it a true paddler’s paradise. Whether you’re gliding through cypress groves or creek tubing, here are some of the best places to kayak, canoe and cool off, with a few insider tips along the way!
Chicot State Park
With beautiful bayous to explore, a vibrant culinary scene, lively music and dancing, Acadiana delivers adventure at every turn. In Ville Platte, Chicot State Park gives kayakers 10 miles of paddling trails beneath towering cypress trees that cast cool shade and create shelter for birds on Lake Chicot. The lake has three access points and well-marked routes to help you navigate this scenic water trail. In the fall, pack some hiking shoes to explore the park’s old-growth forest, then camp overnight for the full experience.
Ouiska Chitto Creek
Roughly 50 miles west, cool off in the spring-fed waters of Ouiska Chitto Creek. With a gentle current and clear flow, this scenic stream is ideal for kayaking, tubing or fishing. Drift through a mixed pine and bottomland hardwood forest, pull up on white sandbars for a picnic or wade along the creek’s edge. Outfitters like Ouiska Chitto Canoe Rental in Mittie have everything you need for a carefree day on the water.
Cane River Lake
Combine your love of history and Southern charm with a paddle on Cane River Lake in Natchitoches. This historic waterway meanders past downtown’s iconic red brick Front Street and the Creole architecture and cascading live oaks of Cane River Creole National Historical Park. Launch at Shell Beach Ramp near the park, or downtown with rentals from Cane River Paddle & Pedal Sports.
Bayou DeSiard Trail
In Monroe, the Bayou DeSiard Trail also offers an urban paddling experience, blending scenes of cypress trees with views of beautiful homes and local landmarks like the University of Louisiana Monroe campus. Known for its low current, this out-and-back trail is a good choice year-round. Rent a kayak from Catahoula’s and launch right at the restaurant. When you return, reward yourself with an ice-cold beer and tender fried catfish bites.
Chemin-A-Haut State Park
Further north in Bastrop, Chemin-A-Haut State Park sits on Bayou Bartholomew, the longest bayou in the world. Here, you can rent a recreational kayak and launch from an easy access point to explore this designated Scenic and Natural Waterway. Once a steamboat route, today it’s an undammed bayou rich with biodiversity – perfect for bass fishing or a relaxed paddle in a natural landscape.
My Louisiana Outdoors
“I grew up in Acadiana so the Atchafalaya Basin, Lake Martin and Lake Fausse Pointe are my favorite places to visit. Though they seem similar on the surface, there are distinct characteristics that make each location special and enticing to photograph.”
EXPLORE MORE PLACES TO PADDLE!
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