Atchafalaya Basin Kayaking Map
The largest river swamp in the United States, by kayak.
3-day Atchafalaya Basin kayaking itinerary from Henderson, Louisiana. Paddle the Big Cypress Loop, the marked Lake Fausse Pointe canoe trail, and a Butte La Rose basin route through the largest river swamp in the United States, with cypress-tupelo forest, Spanish moss, and alligators along the way.
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12 stops on a real mapEvery stop pinned in order→Atchafalaya Basin: every stop pinned in order.
Henderson · Lake Fausse Pointe · Butte La Rose · Louisiana
Every stop on this trip, in order, opens as one driving route in the Google Maps app. No copying addresses across one at a time.
Atchafalaya Basin in photos: 3 of the stops.
Plan and book your 3 days in Atchafalaya Basin, one step at a time
How 3 days in Atchafalaya Basin split up
Plan 3 days for Atchafalaya Basin. Distance: ~16 miles. Difficulty: Moderate. Permits: None. For a 3-day kayaking weekend in Louisiana, base your logistics out of Henderson, the gateway town on the western edge of the Atchafalaya Basin. This itinerary strings together three flatwater paddles, roughly 16 miles total, through cypress-tupelo forest, black-water bayous, and open swamp lakes draped in Spanish moss.
Day 1: Arrive in Henderson & the Big Cypress Loop
4 stops · Day one
Day 2: Lake Fausse Pointe State Park Canoe Trail
4 stops · Day two
Day 3: Butte La Rose Basin Paddle & Departure
4 stops · Day three
Arrive in Henderson & the Big Cypress Loop
Arrive in Henderson, the primary access point for the Atchafalaya Basin, about 30 minutes from Lafayette or an hour from Baton Rouge. Stock up on groceries and water in Lafayette on the way in, because Henderson itself has only limited services.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Drive from
~30 min to Henderson · car required · DriveBase your logistics out of Henderson, the gateway town on the western edge of the Atchafalaya Basin. It is about 30 minutes from Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) and an hour from Baton Rouge Metropolitan (BTR). Stock up on groceries, water, and fuel in Lafayette first, because Henderson has only limited services. From I-10, take Exit 115.
Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0McGee's Landing · Atchafalaya launch1337 Henderson Levee Rd · 2-hr canoe rental $25 per adult ($45 min per canoe) · ViewpointMcGee's Landing sits on a sliver of dry land against the basin levee and is the one spot in the Henderson swamp that rents canoes and offers unguided paddling. From here you have direct access to the Big Cypress Loop through the cypress forest.
Operator info →- Big Cypress Loop paddle
3.6 mi · cypress forest · easy warm-up · activityPaddle the 3.6-mile Big Cypress Loop through moss-draped cypress forest. It is a gentle first day that lets you dial in your gear and get a feel for the swamp before the longer paddles. Watch for egrets, herons, and roseate spoonbills, and give any alligators a wide berth.
Paul Lowry / CC BY 2.0Stay in Henderson or Breaux BridgeGateway lodging · Cajun food nearby · lodgeSpend the first night in Henderson or nearby Breaux Bridge, the Crawfish Capital of the World, both loaded with authentic Cajun restaurants. It keeps you close to the levee launches and sets you up for the drive south to Lake Fausse Pointe in the morning.
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park Canoe Trail
Drive about 40 minutes south to Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, a 6,000-acre park bound on the east by the basin levee and on the west by the natural levee of Bayou Teche. It protects one of the most isolated stretches of Louisiana swamp, with a labyrinth of waterways and some enormous old bald cypress.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Drive to Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
~40 min south of Henderson · DriveDrive about 40 minutes south to Lake Fausse Pointe State Park (5400 Levee Road, St. Martinville). The 6,000-acre park is bound on the east by the basin levee and on the west by the natural levee of Bayou Teche, protecting one of the most isolated swamps in Louisiana.
- Lago Mar / CC BY-SA 3.0Marked canoe trail (Green trail)
6–8 mi · park rents canoes $25/day, kayaks $35/day · activityPaddle the park's marked canoe trail, well signed with color-coordinated markers, so you can go deeper into the swamp without the navigation risk of the open basin. Kayaks rent for about $7 per hour or $35 per day, including two paddles and life jackets.
William L. Farr / CC BY-SA 4.0Old-growth bald cypress swampBoardwalks & huge cypress · birding · ViewpointBetween paddles, walk the park's boardwalks among some enormous old bald cypress and look for egrets, herons, and roseate spoonbills over the water. It is a good chance to rest your shoulders and take in the isolated swamp on foot.
LarryGrim / CC BY-SA 3.0Cabin or campsite at Lake Fausse PointeDeluxe cabins $175+ (sleep 8) · canoe sites $9+ pp · reserve via lastateparks.com · lodgeOvernight in a waterfront cabin or at a campsite so you are on the water at first light. The park has comfort stations with restrooms and showers, and a park entrance fee applies. Reserve 3 to 6 months ahead for cooler-season weekends through lastateparks.com.
Butte La Rose Basin Paddle & Departure
On your last morning, drive to the Butte La Rose boat landing and paddle a 4 to 6 mile loop into the main Atchafalaya, exploring bayous and side channels you have not seen yet. This is more open, wilder water than the park, so carry a GPS with pre-loaded maps and check the Butte La Rose gage for current levels before you launch.
Not the order you want? Drag a stop, or use the arrows beside it. Stops move between days too.
- Drive to Butte La Rose boat landing
~35 min north · bring your own boat, no rental verified here · DriveOn your last morning, drive to the Butte La Rose boat landing, a classic put-in for the main Atchafalaya. This is more open, wilder water than the state park, so check the USGS Butte La Rose gage for current levels before you launch.
Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0Butte La Rose basin paddle4–6 mi · open basin & side bayous · activityPaddle a 4 to 6 mile loop into the main basin, exploring bayous and side channels you have not seen yet, then take out at the landing. Carry a GPS with pre-loaded maps and a compass: the basin is a maze of look-alike channels and cell service is unreliable.
- No boat? Airboat tour from Henderson
Atchafalaya Basin Landing · 90-min airboat · ages 3+ · activityThere is no boat rental at Butte La Rose, so if you did not bring a kayak, see the main basin by airboat instead: a 90-minute tour with Atchafalaya Basin Landing on the Henderson levee, a family-run outfit since 1999. The covered boat idles through cypress and side bayous where alligators, egrets and herons are easy to spot, and your guide knows the channels. It is about 15 minutes from the Butte La Rose landing.
Book this → 
Maren / CC BY 2.0Depart via Breaux BridgeCrawfish Capital of the World · Cajun lunch · DriveLoad the boats and head home through Breaux Bridge, the self-proclaimed Crawfish Capital of the World, for an authentic Cajun lunch to cap the weekend. From there it is a short drive back to Lafayette or Baton Rouge and their airports.
Book the 2 nights
Beds near the trailheads are the one thing on this trip that genuinely runs out. Everything else can be decided later.
Tell us your dates and we will do the checking. We find what is still open near each trailhead and email you this plan back with a booking link for each night. Nothing is charged and you decide at the end.
Request to bookWhat to pack for Atchafalaya Basin
Built from this route, not a generic list. Every line says why it is here.
On every day of this trip
Because you are sleeping indoors
For the driving days
Essential swamp-paddling rules & planning.
Navigate with a GPS
The basin is a complex maze of waterways with little consistent signage. Carry a waterproof map, a compass, and a GPS device with pre-loaded routes (Gaia GPS or a Garmin InReach). Cell service is unreliable, so do not depend on your phone for navigation.
Alligators & wildlife
The Atchafalaya Basin has a large alligator population. Maintain a respectful distance, never feed them, and avoid paddling close to nests or young. Attacks on kayakers are rare but possible if provoked. Keep a whistle, first-aid kit, and headlamp on you.
Camping & Leave No Trace
Designated campsites at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park require reservations and fees. Primitive camping on public lands is generally allowed unless posted, but pack out everything you pack in and bury human waste at least 200 ft from water. Watch for changing water levels overnight.
Check water levels
Water levels in the basin fluctuate significantly with rainfall and river management. Consult the USGS Butte La Rose gage or a local outfitter before your trip, and be aware of currents on the more open stretches near the main channel.
Go October through April
The optimal window is October through April, when temperatures are cooler (roughly 50–70°F) and mosquitoes and gnats are far less active than in the hot, humid summer. Spring brings wildflowers; avoid June through August, when it is hot, buggy, and draining on the water.
Getting there needs a car
Henderson is about 30 minutes from Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) and an hour from Baton Rouge Metropolitan (BTR). From I-10, take Exit 115 at Henderson. There is no public transit to the launches, so you need a car (and a way to carry or rent boats).
Atchafalaya Basin: questions before you go
Atchafalaya Basin kayaking: the questions people ask most.
No permit is generally required for recreational kayaking in public waters within the Atchafalaya Basin. If you camp at a designated site in Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, reservations and fees are required. Primitive camping on public lands typically does not require a permit, but always check current local regulations.
Yes. The basin is home to a large alligator population. Maintain a respectful distance, do not feed them, and avoid paddling too close to nests or young. Attacks on kayakers are rare but possible if provoked, so give them space and stay calm on the water.
October through April is best, with cooler temperatures (roughly 50–70°F) and far fewer insects than summer. Spring brings blooming wildflowers and vibrant wildlife, while fall offers pleasant, dry weather. Avoid June through August, when heat, humidity, and mosquitoes are intense on the open water.
It is rated moderate. You need basic paddling skills, the ability to navigate independently in a wilderness setting, and self-sufficiency for multi-day trips. The Lake Fausse Pointe canoe trail is marked and beginner-friendly; the open basin near Butte La Rose is wilder and demands solid navigation.
A recreational or touring kayak in the 10 to 14 foot range is ideal. Stability matters more than speed for weaving through narrow bayous and watching wildlife. Sit-on-top kayaks are popular for their easy entry, exit, and stability. Lake Fausse Pointe and McGee's Landing both rent boats if you are not bringing your own.
Carry a waterproof map, a compass, and a GPS device with pre-loaded routes, since signage is limited and cell service is unreliable. Do not depend on your phone. Check the USGS Butte La Rose water gage before launching, and ask a local outfitter for current conditions and route suggestions.
The main launch is McGee's Landing, the commercial hub for the Henderson Swamp Loop, a beginner-friendly circuit through remnant cypress "cathedrals." Cypress Cove Landing is one of the few spots offering hourly kayak rentals, and Kern's Landing has a concrete ramp onto Henderson Lake for a small self-serve fee (around $2 to $4). For a step up, the West Dixie 7-Mile Loop north of Henderson follows Bayou Fusilier and Lake Fordoche at an intermediate level, and the Whiskey Bay Pilot Channel is the fastest but most advanced line through the basin, with significant current. Canoe and kayak rentals at McGee's start around $25 per adult with roughly a $45 minimum per boat.
Breaux Bridge, the self-styled Crawfish Capital of the World, is the natural basecamp and the place to soak up Cajun food and Zydeco music, especially at a weekend morning breakfast dance. On the water's edge, Pat's Fisherman's Wharf in Henderson is a local institution for seafood gumbo and blackened catfish, and you can often watch resident gators from the deck. Crawfish Town USA is the casual go-to for a boiled-crawfish feast, and Turtle's Bar and Grill at the basin landing serves homemade burgers and fried gator.
Yes. Tell us your dates and we check what is still open for the plan on this page, then send it back with a booking link for each night and the total. Nothing is charged and nothing is held, and you pay the normal rate.
Pick how you want to go.
Same 3-day route. Same 6 stops.
- 1 night, a campsite near Breaux Bridge
- $28
- 1 night, a campsite near Lake Fausse Pointe
- $28
- No boat? Airboat tour from Henderson
- Priced when you book
- Rental car, 3 days
- $180
- Gas, about 89 miles
- $10
- 1 night, a room in Breaux Bridge
- from $70
- 1 night, a room in Lake Fausse Pointe
- from $88
- No boat? Airboat tour from Henderson
- Priced when you book
- Rental car, 3 days
- $180
- Gas, about 89 miles
- $10
- A private local guide, rooms and campsites booked
- Included
- Airport pickup and every drive
- Included
- Park, permit and campsite fees paid
- Included
- All the gear and the trail meals
- Included
Written and walked by Yulia Vasilyeva · Co-founder · Lead planner and guide
Three years leading guided hikes in the Pacific Northwest, rated 5.0 by 20+ verified guests, and she builds every custom itinerary herself. Based in Seattle.
Last checked October 2026
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