Adventure’s Calling: This Trail Is Ideal for Beachcombing And Shell Hunting In Louisiana

There's nothing quite like walking along a beach in the summertime! The Gulf of Mexico is surrounded by beautiful beaches in all the states that surround it, but some of the very best, lesser-known beaches along this coast are in the great state of Louisiana. And, if you're someone who enjoys beach combing and looking for shells, then you know that the best place to do so is on barrier islands.

Grand Isle State Park in Louisiana is situated on a large barrier island and is ideal for those who enjoy these activities. The park spans 140 acres and was established in 1968. Only about 16,000 visitors make their way to it each year, so you're sure to have a quiet and serene time enjoying the sand and surf in this exceptional little park. Read on to learn more about it — and about the Grand Isle Beach Walk — a trail upon which you're sure to find lots of cool shells, and so much more.

Grand Isle State Park is wonderful, with so much to offer. As you might have guessed, due to its location on a barrier island on the Gulf, this state park has taken quite a beating in the past from hurricanes. It seems it is always trying to recover from one, but it still stands. It has survived Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav, Ike, and, most recently, Hurricane Ida in 2021. Beach restoration on this island is always ongoing, but despite that, it thrills visitors with options for camping, hiking, boating, swimming, crabbing, and more.

This park is also quite popular with people who love to fish! Over 300 species of fish have been caught at the park.

The Grand Isle Beach Walk is a seaside trail within the park that also extends beyond the park along the full length of the island. This trail is not well marked because it's simply the path along the shoreline. At full length, it's 13 miles long, and if you walk it end to end and back, it will take you about four hours to complete. Dogs are welcome, but must stay leashed at all times. There's no shade, so be sure to bring a sun hat and some sunscreen.

You'll love the ocean views along the way. It's like that you'll see lots of seabirds, and you may even be able to spot dolphins swimming off the coast. Don't be afraid to take off your shoes and wade a bit, or even go for a full-fledged swim.

No matter how much or how little of the Grand Isle Beach Walk you choose to conquer, you're also likely to find a wide variety of seashells along the way. This park and beach are well-known for beachcombers. You can expect to find sand dollars, whelks, olives, and angel wing shells as you walk along.

The vast range of colors and sizes of these shells, as well as the immense diversity, is sure to amaze anyone who marvels at the beauty of these small treasures from the sea.

Grand Isle Beach Walk is a true gem of a trail in Louisiana, and Grand Isle State Park is a fantastic place to spend a summer day. You'll love visiting this park and hiking on this exceptional trail. Have a fun time at the beach and in the adjacent small town of Grand Isle, Louisiana.