Slidell, Louisiana, is in Cajun Country and has enough New Orleans flavor to offer a complete vacation with its own brand of adventure. The town is on Lake Pontchartrain about 40 miles from New Orleans. The big lake is a major attraction, along with swamps, bayous and rivers. Ample hiking and biking opportunities are available as well on an old railroad bed.
Bike Riding
The Tammany Trace is a 31-mile stretch of trail that was once a railroad bed. The trace begins in Covington and ends in Slidell, and along the way are moss-draped cypress trees, bayous, swamps and wetlands. The trace goes through five communities so there is a touch of urban trail along with the countryside.
Bike rentals are available at both ends and at towns along the way. Each town it passes through has a visitors center, restrooms and water fountains.
At Covington there is a green caboose that serves as an office. At the end in Slidell there are restrooms and an information center, and downtown shops and restaurants are nearby.
Eco-Tours
Learn about the swamp ecosystem with a tour of Honey Island Swamp, which is one of the least altered river swamps in the nation, local wildlife officials say.
Ride on the black water through a canopy of cypress, tupelo and gum trees. Look for alligators, Louisiana black bear, deer, herons and owls.
You may also hear stories from your guide about a legendary man-like creature which resembles Sasquatch. Night tours are also available, which provides a much different view, and a great setting for some stories of Sasquatch.
You may also see an authentic Cajun village accessible only by boat. Plantation tours of the Old South are also available, as well as walking tours of Slidell and New Orleans.
Exploring State Parks
Three state parks in the area have a lot of nature to explore as well as recreational opportunities.
Fairview Riverside State Park is a 98-acre park on the banks of the Tchefuncle River, which has a boat launch, campground, fishing pier and canoe trail.
Fontainbleau State Park is the home of a former sugar mill plantation built in 1829 in Mandeville. The park is on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain and remains of the sugar mill are still visible. Camping is year round and the swimming pool is open in summer.
Bogue Falaya park is on the Bogue Falaya River near Covington and has a beach house, picnic area, nature trails and fishing.
Tubing and Canoeing
You can go canoeing and tubing on many nearby lakes and swamps. You can have a more organized float on the Bogue Chitto River. A few outfitters there can get you set up to go on the river. One-, four- and eight-hour trips are available, along with overnight canoe trips. Tubing is very relaxed with no set schedule.
Area parks have some canoe trails. Ask for a map at the visitors' center. Canoe and kayak launch sites are also available at various spots along rivers in the area.
Exploring Wildlife Refuges
Three of the eight National Wildlife Refuges in South Louisiana are in the Slidell area.
The closest one is the Bogue Chitto National Refuge. It covers 36,000 acres of the Pearl River Basin. Hiking trails are throughout the area, as well as canoe trials. Birding and photography are popular here. Primitive camping is allowed in designated areas. Hunting and fishing is allowed at certain times.
Nearby preserves include the White Kitchen Preserve and the Pearl River Wildlife Management area.
Sailing
A company in Madisonville, near Slidell, offers sailing adventures. It offers sailboat rentals and instruction. Most sailing is on Lake Ponchartrain and other area lakes.
Advanced sailors would do well on the Gulf waters which are accessible from Slidell.
Fishing
Several companies offer fishing charters out of Slidell and starting out on Lake Pontchartrain. Freshwater and saltwater fishing trips are available.
Member Comments