Eco-Tours
Bayou Teche Paddle Trail
New this Fall will be St. Landry's first designated Paddle Trail. The head of the Paddle Trail will begin in Washington on Bayou Courtableau. The paddlers will follow Courtableau until it joins Bayou Teche in Port Barre. From there the trail will head south through the communities of Leonville and Arnaudville, leading into St. Martin Parish, onto Iberia Parish and ultimately finishing in Morgan City (St. Mary Parish). Paddlers will see lush native planting and wild life along the way. Kiosks along the trail will provide additional information on each location's attractions and accommodations.
Indian Bayou
Access to this area is via US Hwy. 190 exit at Krotz Springs and take LA Hwy. 105 south about 11.5 miles to the fifth parking area on the right. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, The Indian Bayou Area is a 28,000 acre public access area. It contains some of the country's most productive wildlife habitat. It's a paradise for hunters, fishermen, bird-watchers, boaters, nature photographers and outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking & ATV Trails are available. The area is located in the heart of the Atchafalaya Basin, the world's largest freshwater swamp wilderness, and offers some of the finest bottomland hardwood hunting in the South.
Physical location: Located in St. Landry & St. Martin parishes, the area is 40 miles west of Baton Rouge., Arnaudville,
Phone: (337) 585-0853
Web: www.mvn.usace.army.mil
Sherbune Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Encompasses 40,000 acres within the Atchafalaya Basin located in Pointe Coupee, Iberville and St Martin Parishes as well as St. Landry. Many outdoor recreational opportunities, such as hunting, fishing, ATV trails, trapping, camping, hiking, bird watching, nature photography, along with many more activities exist on this WMA. Development & management have improved access, habitat, wildlife populations, and public use on the Sherbune WMA complex. Camping is permitted on two designated camping areas, one each on the northern and southern portions of the area. A shooting range complex consisting of rifle, handgun, archery and skeet shooting is available for year round use. Boat launches available on both Big & Little Alabama Bayous.
Physical location: Access to this WMA is via Hwy. 975, which connects with Hwy. 190 near Krotz Springs on the North, and Interstate 10 at Whiskey Bay on the South, Arnaudville.
Phone: (337) 948-0255 | (337) 566-2251
Web: www.wlf.state.la.us
Thistlethwaite Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Thistlethwaite WMA is a 17 square mile tract and 11,000 acres of mature hardwood forest boasting the largest diversity of oak species anywhere in the state of Louisiana. Eleven miles of wood trails make hunting as well as birding and nature walks very popular. Year-round birding is best along the area's numerous roadsides and ATV trails. In addition to woodland songbirds, raptors such as Red-shouldered Hawk, Misisissippi Kite and Broad-winged Hawk appear regularly along these woodland edges. During the winter months, the site's numerous agricultural fields hold waterfowl, shorebirds and sparrows.
Physical Location: 522 Plant Road, Washington. Take I-49 North to Exit 27. Travel North on LA 10/LA 182 for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Plant Road and go approximately 3.5 miles to the WMA.
Phone: (337) 948-0255
Part of the Red River Birding Trail of America's Wetland Birding Trails
Hiking Trails
Can be found in Indian Bayou & Sherbune Wildlife Mangagement Area
Prairie Restoration in Eunice
The history of the area's Acadian people, who are called Cajun today, unfolds at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, part of the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, in downtown Eunice. The center not only contains exhibits and artifacts that have been meticulously assembled and documented, it also hosts music sessions and native craft and cooking demonstrations.
The prairies are touted as the best in the U.S. Plans are underway for walking trails and additional parking to be added to the site.
Horticulture
Magnolia Ridge Plantation, built in the early 1800's, played a vital role during the Civil War for both the Confederate and Union forces. Although the house is not open for tours, the lovely, landscaped extensive grounds and 3 miles of asphalt walkways surrounding this antebellum home are open to the public. Free Admission.
Hours: Oct-Mar 9 am-5 pm; Apr-Sept 7 am-6:30 pm.; Closed during bad weather.
Physical location: Hwy. 103 West, Washington,
Phone: (337) 826-3027
St. Landry Parish has several noted nurseries, with one of the oldest being Louisiana Nursery, recognized world wide for its work in the area of propagating day lilies. The nursery is located at 5853 Highway 182, Opelousas, LA 70570 (337) 948-3696
The following communities have oaks throughout the community registered with the Live Oaks Society:
Arnaudville
Grand Coteau
Washington
Melville
Opelousas
Port Barre
Prairie Rhonde
