Louisiana is full of beautiful waterways just waiting for you to explore. From bayous to basins, chances are you grew up near a body of water. One of the largest tourist attractions in the state is the Atchafalaya River Basin, and it’s full of adventures. Let’s check it out.
The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest river swamp in the country.
Located in southwestern Louisiana, this massive river swamp contains almost one million acres of bottomland hardwoods, swamps, bayous, and backwater lakes.
Beginning near Simmesport, the Atchafalaya stretches roughly 140 miles south towards the Gulf of Mexico.
It’s larger than the Florida Everglades! Known for its beautiful cypress-tupelo swamps and scenic views, the Basin contains the largest contiguous bottomland hardwood forest in North America.
The Atchafalaya Basin is chock full of wildlife, too.
Roughly 65 species of reptiles and amphibians, more than 250 species of birds, and more than 100 different species of fish all call the area home. It’s also home to countless nutria, fox, beaver, raccoon, and even black bears. Not to mention, it’s also responsible for the commercial harvesting of more than 20 million pounds of crawfish every year.
It also happens to have the largest concentration of bald eagles in the south-central United States.
The next time you find yourself in the Basin, keep your eyes peeled for this majestic bird.
There are several tour companies that would love to take you out for a spin.
Check out our previous article here to learn more about swamp tours in the area.
Taking a swamp boat tour or an air boat tour will give you the opportunity to get up close and personal with what might just be the most beautiful natural scenery Louisiana has to offer.
These guides grew up on the water, they know their stuff and would love to teach you about the history and importance of this incredible river swamp.
If you’d like, you can rent a houseboat for a truly epic weekend full of adventures.
Houseboats are a wonderfully unique way to spend a few days. You'll be immersed in the swamp, enjoying your evenings listening to the symphony of sounds the swamps make while enjoying the company of your friends and family. Sounds delightful, right? Well you can learn more about renting a houseboat in the Atchafalaya in our previous article here.
The Atchafalaya Welcome Center is a great place to start your adventure.
You'll learn about all of the indigenous flora and fauna found in the Atchafalaya plus all about the Cajun culture. Their address is 2022 Atchafalaya River Hwy., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517.
Have you ever taken a swamp tour through the Atchafalaya River Basin? Share your experience in the comments below!
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