Best Places to Paddleboard in the United States – Louisiana 2021
1: Lake Salvador
Lake Salvador is one of the top paddleboarding destinations for those near New Orleans and also one of the friendliest. The lake is massive to explore, at 44,800 acres, but with an average depth of 6’, the water stays calm and easy to walk through, perfect for families or new paddlers training on their own.
If you want to practice yoga, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of nature, listening to the songs and chirps produced by over 300 unique bird species. The surrounding swamplands are great for photographers as well. The swamps are also home to large Catfish, Bass, and Red Drum. You’ll want to keep an eye out while you’re paddling closer to the ocean, as Bull Sharks have been spotted swimming in the lake these past few years.
If you paddle closer to the city, though, you’ll stay safe and have a ton of fun paddling around Lake Salvador while you visit Louisiana.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 216
Distance to Major Cities: Direct Access to New Orleans
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
2: Bayou Lafourche
Also known as the Chitimachas River, Bayou Lafourche is a 106-mile long river bayou that runs along the southern half of Louisiana and into the Gulf of Mexico. Many private and commercial boats float along this river, though many parts are just as popular with paddleboarders.
Speckled Trout and Redfish are abundant in the Bayou Lafourche for anglers. At the same time, sightseeing tourists can get close and personal to the many new and old river boats that float down the Bayou Lafourche. If you stop by in April, multiple paddleboarding races and multi-day guided tours happen throughout the Bayou Lafourche, which are not only fun but promote local environmental efforts.
If you have a touring board or are planning on renting one, the Bayou Lafourche is a river to navigate while you’re in Louisiana.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 216
Distance to Major Cities: Direct Access to New Orleans
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Limited
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
3: Lake Pontchartrain
If you are on the northside of St. Orleans or want to see some other cool sights while you’re in the city, you will want to check out Lake Pontchartrain. First, this is one of the largest lakes in the United States, with more than 400,000 square acres of water to explore, more than enough to last a lifetime. Lake Pontchartrain is also famous for supporting the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the longest continuous bridge over water in the entire world at nearly twenty-four miles long.
Anglers can catch Largemouth Bass, Sheepshead, Flounder, and plenty of other fish without drifting too far from shore. The further you drift from shore, though, the more you can get some sailing or wind foiling in. Many planes and boats have wrecked in this lake, and with debris and other treasures blown into the water from hurricanes and storms over the years, it’s a popular scuba diving spot as well.
With so many different activities available, Lake Pontchartrain is a popular paddleboarding destination in Louisiana for a reason.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 216
Distance to Major Cities: Direct Access to New Orleans
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
4: Lake Fausse Pointe
Lafayette is another major city many travelers pass through in Louisiana. While Lake Martin and Spanish Lake are easy to reach options, we suggest driving a bit farther to Lake Fausse Pointe. Part of the greater Lake Fausse Pointe State Park is a bit larger than the before mentioned lakes, with about 6,000 acres of water to explore.
The land was once home to Chitimacha Indians, with historical artifacts leftover from their time living in the area still present. If you prefer wildlife to history, you’ll be able to spot Black Bears, Bobcats, Alligators, and other exciting animals, large and small, prowling around the area. Some of the state’s most popular fishing tournaments are hosted on the lake due to the large size and quantity of Catfish, Gar, Bass, and other fish that live in the water.
Whether you’re in Lafayette or traveling North from New Orleans, it’s worth stopping by Lake Fausse Pointe for a day or two if you have a paddleboard.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 217
Distance to Major Cities: 1 Hour to Lafayette
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
5: Lake Buhlow
Lake Buhlow is the most popular lake for those in the Alexandria and Pineville area, but there are several reasons why paddlers from around the state like to visit as well. The Pineville Municipal Airport is located right on its shores, so paddlers enjoy watching as planes fly directly overhead as they come in for a landing.
Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Channel Catfish are easy to catch at the lake as well, though you’ll want to stay out of the way of the many races that go on throughout the year. Paddleboarding vendors litter the area and provide an excellent mixture of private lessons, tours, and gear you’ll need to have a great time.
If you’re in central Louisiana, make sure you stop by and paddle on Lake Buhlow before leaving the state.
Average Clear Weather Days per Year: 215
Distance to Major Cities: Direct Access to Alexandria
Motor Vehicles Allowed: Yes
Paddleboard Rentals Available: Yes
Conclusion: Plan Your Paddle Board Trip and Have Fun!
Thank you so much for visiting our top paddleboarding destinations for the state of Louisiana! While we’ve been able to paddle at a couple of these destinations, we haven’t yet had the chance to visit all of them and had to rely on the suggestions of other paddlers to make our list.
If you’ve been to one of the above-suggested locations or have your top paddleboarding spot you want paddlers to try out, be sure to let us know by leaving a comment below or sending us an email. We are hard at work developing our fifty state series so expect our suggestions for Maine soon!
While you’re here, be sure to check out our top fifteen paddleboarding destinations in the whole US, reviews for the latest paddleboard releases, and the in-depth video breakdowns published at our SUPBoardGuide.com Youtube channel.
With that in mind, thanks again for stopping by, and let us know what you think of paddleboarding in Louisiana!
SupBoardGuide
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