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. Read on to learn why we think you'll enjoy exploring the Bonnet Carré Spillway Trail in Louisiana in spring.

The Bonnet Carré Spillway Trail, also known as the Nomambo Mountain Bike Trail, is a 5-mile trail that runs along the spillway in Louisiana.

With several ramps, bridges, twists, and turns, it's no wonder why it's one of the best trails in Louisiana for mountain bikers to tackle.

But even though it's primarily used by bikers, hikers can use it too.

Typically, bikers tackle the trail in a clockwise direction, and hikers walk counter-clockwise on this popular destination during the spring in Louisiana.

Whether you're on a bike or foot, the trail lends itself to adventurers of all skill levels.

You'll have several options along what is known as one of the best spring hikes in Louisiana where you can assess the difficulty and challenge yourself.

If you time it right, you'll be surrounded by beautiful wildflowers!

Typically, you'll see these lovely flowers bloom from March through May, and they certainly add a splash of color to an already beautiful hike!

Known as one of the best spring hikes in Louisiana, the trail will lead you through the canopies of trees ...

... and wide-open areas where you can marvel at the scenery and do some birdwatching.

And the views? Simply mesmerizing.

As you can see, you'll get to take in stunning scenery as you hike along the Bonnet Carré Spillway Trail.

Have you ever hiked the Nomambo Mountain Bike Trail? If so, let us know what you enjoyed most about your outing in the following comments section.

To help you prepare for one of the best spring hikes in Louisiana, we suggest checking out our ultimate hiking guide for suggestions about what to bring on your outdoor adventure. And, if you'd like to explore some more, we recommend looking at these ideas of what to do during the spring in Louisiana.