This 5-Mile Spillway Trail In Louisiana Is The Perfect Springtime Hike
By Jackie Ann|Published March 19, 2021
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
Built in response to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, the Bonnet Carré Spillway serves to redirect water from the Mississippi River to flow into Lake Pontchartrain, which then makes its way down to the Gulf. It’s only been opened a handful of times since it was constructed, including twice in 2019, and most recently in April of 2020. In addition to flood management, the area is also a protected wildlife management area, home to countless creatures both on land and in the water.
While fishing and crabbing is certainly a popular pastime along the spillway, there’s a beautiful bike trail that’s perfect for a springtime hike, and you’ll want to tackle it as soon as you can.
The Bonnet Carré Spillway Trail, also known as the Nomambo Mountain Bike Trail, is a 5-mile trail that runs along the spillway.