OUTDOORS & PARKS EXPLORE MORE PLACES TO PADDLE! My Louisiana Outdoors Ben Pierce Outdoor Photographer 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. 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. ExploreLouisiana.com CHEMIN-A-HAUT STATE PARK, BASTROP 17
Louisiana Travel Guide 2026: Page 17
