Those of us lucky enough to call Louisiana home are well aware that our state is just overflowing with natural beauty. From the Kisatchie to Cocodrie, Louisiana is a nature lover’s paradise, offering everything from rolling hills to sleepy bayous. One particular spot stands out from the rest for its awe-inspiring beauty and attracts visitors from all over the world, and we are lucky enough to have it right in our own backyard. You’ve driven over it and you’ve seen countless photos of it, but how much do you really know about the Atchafalaya River Swamp? Let’s check out why it is one of the most interesting swamps in Louisiana!

Clocking in at almost one million acres...
Good Speed/Google
... the Atchafalaya Basin is the largest river swamp in the nation.
Beginning near Simmesport, the basin stretches 140 miles south.
Good Speed/Google
It goes all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, making its overall size larger than the Florida Everglades!
It's easily one of the most photographed natural areas in our state.
Felixmizionikov/Getty Images
This iconic "between the bridges" shot is one that circulates often by photographers.
Some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the state is found here in the Basin.
The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area/Facebook
With a mixture of bottomland hardwoods, swamps, bayous, and backwater lakes, it's easy to see why this natural oasis is a nature lover’s paradise. And there are plenty of animals that would agree!

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The Basin is home to countless critters of the land and air variety including about 65 species of reptiles, 250 species of birds, and more than 100 different species of fish.
Alex Aparicio/Google
The Basin is also home to the largest nesting concentration of bald eagles in the south, not to mention all the crawfish. The Basin harvests nearly 22 million pounds of crawfish annually.
There are plenty of ways to explore the Basin...
Amy/Google
...and a boat or a kayak is one of the best ways to see the Basin up close.
Just look at all of this spectacular beauty!
Sheila Crotwell/Google
It really is one of the most awesome natural wonders in Louisiana.
A swamp boat tour is one of the best ways to see the Basin.
Atchafalaya Basin Landing Airboat Swamp Tour/Google
There's nothing like soaring through the swamps on a high-speed airboat. Luckily, there are plenty of tour companies that would love to give you a tour of the Basin. Not only will you have a front-row seat to some truly stunning scenery, but you'll learn about the history and importance of these wetlands and how Louisianians have been living off the Basin for centuries.

For more information, check out the Atchafalaya National Heritage official website.

Have you ever been to the Atchafalaya Basin? If so, what was your favorite part? Would you agree that it is among the most beautiful places in Louisiana? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

More water adventures abound at the clearest lake in Louisiana.

If you’re still in the mood for more Louisiana adventures, take a look at this video:

 

 

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More to Explore

More Louisiana Adventures

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | May 08, 2023

Where can we find other swamps in Louisiana?

  • Spanning approximately 63,000 acres and mostly accessible by boat, the Maurepas Swamp just outside New Orleans is thought to be haunted by the ghost of a voodoo priestess.
  • The Barataria Preserve in Marrero has beautiful boardwalk trails that meander throughout the preserve’s 23,000-acre expanse.
  • Teeming with natural wildlife, the Honey Island Swamp in St. Tammany Parish is recognized as one of the least-altered river swamps in the U.S.

 

Read on to learn more about some of the many other beautiful swamps in Louisiana.

Where can we find lakes in Louisiana?

  • Lake Martin, which is part of the Cypress Island Nature Preserve, possesses one of the largest water bird nesting colonies in Louisiana.
  • Located near the town of Homer, Lake Claiborne offers plenty of opportunities for boating and fishing and a wealth of other recreational activities.
  • Located in Lake Charles, Prien Lake offers a wealth of great fishing spots and features a wide variety of natural wildlife.

 

Read on to learn more about some of the many other lakes in Louisiana.

Where can we find waterparks in Louisiana?

  • The Liberty Lagoon in Baton Rouge features water playgrounds, lots of slides, and lounge decks.
  • The Aqua PARDS in Denham Springs has a bucket bay, creek, super slides, and pavilion rentals.
  • The Audubon Cool Zoo in New Orleans has an alligator water slide, monkey soakers, a 750-foot lazy river, and more.

 

Read on to learn about some of the many other exciting waterparks in Louisiana.

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Atchafalaya River, Louisiana, USA