LIFE

Adventure Acadiana: Tent camping in the Atchafalaya Swamp

Stacey Scarce
Stacey Scarce

While doing multi-day paddles in the Atchafalaya Swamp, historically I have had to guess where the state land was so that we could pitch a tent for the night. State land is marked on some maps, but it's not that easy to find while paddling. There are often small white signs attached to trees that designate state land, but they can be hidden and hard to see. For the past couple of winters, I have been able to camp at designated primitive campsites in the swamp. These campsites are used by hunters, fishermen and paddlers. Often the campsite is on a steep bank that is better suited to a motorboat but every site I have camped at was fairly easy to access with a little work.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources has a list of all 30 campsites with GPS coordinates and an interactive map with boat launches and campsites marked. The sites are not always easy to find. Once you get close to the campsite by using the GPS coordinates, it requires climbing the bank to look for a pipe with the campsite number and a fire-ring. I have only camped at these sites in the winter. I would assume that there are lots of poison ivy in other seasons, and I would also be aware of snakes.

There are lots of paddling options for camping in the swamp. Just pick a boat landing and find a campsite nearby. It is easy to shuttle vehicles for a north to south or west to east paddle, but if you don't have a shuttle there are still options. It is usually fairly easy to paddle upstream in most waterways in the swamp. Paddle upstream first to your campsite, then take it easy the next day as you make your way back to the boat launch.

If you are a little more adventurous, bring your hammock tent with you for your next overnight paddle. Sleeping over the water in a grove of cypress trees with barred owls and spring peepers calling makes for a wonderful night sleep for folks like me. I tie my kayak to the same trees that my hammock is tied to so that entry and exit is easier and more stable.

green touristic tent in a forest at the morning

Stacey Scarce is the parish naturalist and an avid outdoor enthusiast who guides backpacking and paddling trips throughout the region.

Map with boat launches and primitive campsites: www.dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=1105