Stay in the Louisiana bayou
Venturing deep into the Louisiana bayou…
Welcome to the mystical world of the Louisiana bayou!
If you're itching for a getaway that's anything but ordinary, stay with us in a fisherman's cabin nestled among the cypress trees, with alligators visiting in the twilight and the sounds of the bayou lulling you into a state of blissful relaxation.
But the fun's just getting started! Jump aboard a swamp tour led by the coolest guides this side of the Mississippi. They know the bayou like the back of their hand, and they'll take you on a wild ride through the hidden waterways. Get ready to spot gators, spy on sunbathing turtles, and maybe even catch a glimpse of Bigfoot's Cajun cousin (just kidding... or not).
So, if you're ready to swap your city shoes for a pair of swamp-ready boots, pack your sense of adventure and get ready for the ultimate Louisiana escape.
Welcome to the bayou – where every day is a new chance for adventure and every night is a celebration of Southern hospitality.
This article is part of our series: 5 things to do in Louisiana — off the beaten track.
Sleep in a fisherman’s cabin
As fun as New Orleans is, it can also be overwhelming, especially for me (Eli) who always need my nature fix! So, I booked a fishermen cabin at the end of an unpaved road, deep in the four mile bayou.
Obviously, like virtually anywhere outside large cities in the US, you’ll need to rent a car.
The road leading to the accommodation was spectacular, with the swamps on one side and the bayou on the other. At sunset, the light filtering between the trees is absolutely magical!
The cabin was very simple but with all the comforts you need, no phone coverage and a sweeping view of the Louisiana bayou. Our definition of paradise!
We saw a good dozen of alligators and hundreds of birds, from pink spoonbills to white iris and everything in between. We really felt like we were somewhere tropical. It even reminded us of Borneo!
At night, we could hear a thousand animals from the swamps and the bayou: frogs, toads, feral pigs, deer, owls…. The perfect lullaby to recover from jet lag!
And in the morning, the sunrise, with all birds awakening and fish jumping everywhere, was unforgettable. To us, this is more of a luxury than any fancy hotel!
While we understand that the cabin experience is not for everyone, we strongly encourage all nature-lovers to stay in the bayou. This is what Louisiana is all about!
Bayou, swamp, pond, marsh, wetlands, what’s the difference?
Bayous: Slow-moving streams with murky waters and lush vegetation, often found in flat, low-lying areas like Louisiana.
Swamps: Large, flooded forested wetlands, home to diverse plant and animal life such as cypress trees and alligators.
Ponds: Small, shallow bodies of still water, found in various environments and home to fish, frogs, and waterfowl.
Marshes: Wetlands dominated by grasses and reeds, typically found along coastlines or estuaries and important for habitat and flood protection.
Wetlands: Broad term encompassing all of these environments, characterized by saturated land and unique ecosystems supporting diverse wildlife.
Go on a swamp tour
You’ll find hundreds of swamp tour companies around New Orleans. These are fun, but some tours take place in alligator farms, and groups are usually big.
We were looking for something a bit more personal and wild, so we asked the owner of our accommodation for recommendations.
She advised us to contact Skell’s Outdoor Adventures, and we’re so happy we did! It was a private tour at an affordable price with a real bayou expert: Paul Blanchard.
Paul has lived all his life in Pierre Part, Louisiana. He hunts the nutria — an invasive species — to help preserve the ecosystem, and maintains crawfish nets. He can tell if a moccasin snake is at a safe distance or not. He jumps from a rope directly in the swamp. He hand-catches frogs. In a nutshell, he’s very impressive, and definitely the man to be with when in the Louisiana bayou!
Next time, we’ll do a night tour!
We had a lot of fun — especially when going at full speed in the middle of the vegetation — and spotted many animals, including gators, soft shell turtles, pink spoonbills… and the terrible Rougarou.
And just in case, remember to book a travel insurance — with a 5% discount for booking through us! Medical bills in the US can be very high compared to other countries, even for a simple visit!
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Alligators tend to be the most active at sunset. Try to hang out by the bayou or the swamps when the sun goes down, and you’re likely to spot many! You can also go on a sunset/night swamp tour.
Chase the rougarou
So, after spotting a zillion cool animals, Paul told us we might catch a glimpse of the rougarou. The what now?
Now, as a French person, I had heard of the Loup-Garou, of course (the French werewolf). But the rougarou? You mean, “rou” like the roux in Gumbo?
Very intrigued, we asked Paul to tell us more.
So, apparently, the Rougarou, also spelled Roux-Ga-Roux, is a legendary creature from Cajun folklore in Louisiana. It's often described as a werewolf-like creature or a shape-shifter, prowling the swamps and bayous under the cover of darkness. According to the legend, the Rougarou is said to be a cursed soul, typically a human who has broken a taboo or committed a sinful act.
The tale of the Rougarou serves as a cautionary story, warning against disobedience, dishonesty, or immoral behavior. Mmmm, after spending a night on Bourbon Street, we think there are many Rougaroux out there!
Some versions of the legend suggest that the Rougarou can only be transformed back into a human by a specific ritual or through acts of penance.
While sightings of the Rougarou are rare, its legend continues to captivate and intrigue locals and visitors alike.
And while we didn’t see the Rougarou, we’re pretty sure we heard it at night. Listen carefully at the end of the Instagram reel…
Go for a swim — or not
After talking to the locals who ensured us it was fine, I decided to go swimming in the bayou. “My wife is crazy, and definitely an honorary Cajun!” (Jake here).
The (brown) water was refreshing after a very hot day, and the surroundings were just so serene! Or so it seemed…
A few minutes later, I spotted a floating log right by the ladder… A log, really? We saw a good dozen alligators at the very same spot the next day!
While locals do swim in the Louisiana bayou and swamps, it’s entirely up to you and at your own risk!
Why alligators attack are rare in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, alligator attacks are rare. Firstly, alligators have become accustomed to the presence of humans and generally avoid interaction.
Strict conservation efforts, including regulations on hunting and habitat protection, help maintain balanced alligator populations.
Additionally, public education initiatives raise awareness about alligator behavior and safety precautions. Finally, alligators are naturally shy animals and attacks on humans are uncommon, usually stemming from mistaken identity or defensive behavior.
In other states, especially Florida, attacks are more common due to the loss of alligator’s natural habitat.
Mingle with the locals
To recover from our emotions, we went to the small marina next to our cabin rental. The owner had cooked a delicious jambalaya, and served us a big plate!
A live zydeco band was playing, gators were swimming, people were super welcoming, dancing, chatting and just enjoying the sun: a true Louisiana immersion!
We also got the opportunity to meet the team of GJ camping, a father and son filming their boat adventures. You can watch their awesome videos on their YouTube channel. We agreed to do a collaboration with Penguin Trampoline on our next trip to Louisiana, so stayed tuned!
Finally, here is a playlist to get you in the Louisiana bayou vibe:
So, while the Louisiana bayou may seem like a mysterious and untamed wilderness, the reality is that it's a place where humans and nature coexist in harmony.
Despite its dangerous reputation, alligator attacks in the bayou are rare — can’t guarantee you won’t have issues with the Rougarou, though! Thanks to a combination of habituation, conservation efforts, education, and the natural behavior of these fascinating creatures, you can explore the bayou with confidence and really soak in its serene atmosphere.
So, whether you're seeking an adrenaline-fueled swamp tour or a tranquil retreat in a fisherman's cabin, the beautiful and welcoming Louisiana bayou awaits with open arms.
Stay tuned for the next article of our series: 5 things to do in Louisiana — off the beaten track!
