New Orleans Swamp Country offers a plethora of outdoor activities for thrill-seekers

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 5, 2020

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Known for its historic plantations and Creole culture, Louisiana’s River Parishes now invites visitors to take a walk on the wild side by visiting New Orleans Swamp Country. Home to some of the region’s most captivating landscapes and geography, New Orleans Swamp Country boasts numerous opportunities to immerse oneself in nature with swamp tours, biking trails and world-class fishing from over 34 attractions.

“We’re proud to continue to expand and showcase all that Louisiana’s River Parishes has to offer,” said Buddy Boe, executive director of Louisiana’s River Parishes Tourist Commission. “There are so many unique experiences from our rich culture, food and history to our thrill-seeking adventures in the wildlife. New Orleans Swamp Country is the ideal vacation destination for those looking to get involved in the great outdoors.”

Cycle enthusiasts can ride along the 40 miles of paved bike paths, including on top of the Mississippi River Levee. The Bonnet Carre Spillway also offers an exhilarating ride through 850 acres on ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes. The majestic wetlands offer a change of scenery at Wetland Watchers Park, providing a mile of boardwalk nature trails and a ten-foot marsh overlook.

Coming soon to New Orleans Swamp Country is Zip NOLA, the area’s first and only swamp zip line. On the shore of Lake Pontchartrain, the zip line experience will provide guests a first look at wild boar, waterfowl, turtles, whitetail deer and more. Zip NOLA will have five zip lines and two suspension bridges along with a spiral tree staircase. The course is tentatively scheduled to open in early 2021.

“What’s unique about the River Parishes and the Maurepas Swamp is that we offer so much to explore all in one place,” says Josh Reppel, head guide at Wild Louisiana Tours. “In our region, we have one of the most scenic swamps in the state, right next to the Mississippi River and River Road plantations where you’ll also find the most unique cuisine and vivacious wildlife.”

New Orleans Swamp Country has so much to offer, from casting a line at Precision Fishing Charters to touring Manchac Greenway, visitors can enjoy the natural sights in tandem with educational displays explaining the area’s natural history. Lousiana’s swamps can also be experienced via kayak, airboat or pontoon with Louisiana’s River Parishes partners’ Wild Louisiana Tours, New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours,Cajun Pride Swamp Tours and Ragin Cajun Airboat Tours, who provide an up close and personal look at alligators, egrets and some of the country’s most diverse vegetation.

To learn more about New Orleans Swamp Country and plan your next getaway visit nolaswampcountry.com.

Download the New Orleans Swamp Country Map here.

 

 

Louisiana’s River Parishes Tourist Commission is the official destination and marketing organization and driving force for tourism in St. Charles, St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes. The organization offers assistance to visitors, advocates for its stakeholders and stimulates the region’s economic growth.