We found Lost Lands through Reddit while searching for an ethical, unique, and intimate swamp tour…read more My friend and I booked months in advance, and Marie was an excellent communicator from start to finish. She let us know when two others joined our tour so we'd qualify for the 4+ group rate ($120/person instead of $200), and payment was easy via Venmo the day of. Marie and team even provided PB&J sandwiches and granola bars, thoughtfully accommodating allergies and dietary preferences. The tour began with an engaging, inspiring 1-hour presentation by Bob about Louisiana's environmental history. It was interactive, informative, and a university-lecture quality. As someone not from the area, I left with a deep understanding of both the region's history and the ongoing ecological challenges. It set a meaningful tone for the rest of the day. Since we didn't have a rental car, we appreciated being able to arrange a ride to the kayak launch (about 45 minutes west of New Orleans). There's also the option to request either a single or double kayak. Our guide, Trenton, was a top-quality guide. He was enthusiastic, deeply knowledgeable, and passionate about the environment. He shared intricate scientific details about the local flora and fauna while also giving our group the freedom to explore at our own pace. We saw countless bird species, plants (native and invasive), insects, turtles, and even an alligator. Highly recommend bringing binoculars and a camera (with splash protection). The excursion starting from presentation to finish was roughly 7 hours from 9am - 4pm. Huge thanks to the Lost Lands team for making this the highlight of our NOLA trip. Truly unforgettable, educational, and special. Could not recommend this experience more to others!

One of the most transformative experiences of my life. Have you seen the scene in the Bayou in the…read moreNotebook? That was staged. This is real and better. Kayaking through heaven with wonderful guides and an educational explanation ahead of time.

The end of the Earth is two and a half hours south of Hopedale, by car, but you can get there…read morequicker if you launch from Hopedale Marina. Hopedale is set alongside Bayou La Loutre, an earlier course of the Mississippi River, and, following the bayou across the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), fishermen easily reach Stump Lagoon, Muscle Bay and other hot spots in the Biloxi State Wildlife Management Area. A note about MRGO: the artificial waterway was always an environmental and financial failure, and thankfully, it was "de-authorized" and dammed in 2009 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. But access to the southeast side of the channel from Hopedale is missed, as it provided quick and easy access for boaters headed into Lake Athanasio, Eloi or Black Bays, and of course, Breton Sound. The boat ride to get outside is a bitch, and these days, we're just as likely to fish Lake Jean Louis Robin, Lake Coquille or Grand Pass as we are to wend our way to those other spots. A final note: don't try to launch on Opening Day of duck season if you're not hunting ducks. My buddy Keith and I fished out of a private camp near Hopedale Marina one November, without having checked the calendar, and we found the pre-dawn road to Hopedale choked with boat-towing pickups, each full of heavily armed men who'd been awake for hours and who were anxious to shoot stuff. Better to wait a day or two.

When it comes to cycling in Nola this half of the River Trail is my favorite. "The Mississippi…read moreRiver Trail-St.Rose", to me means from Rivertown al the way to the Valero/Motiva refinery. This is I believe a 12 mile stretch. This stretch is great for those who really want to do some serious cycling. There are less people than the strech that starts at the Fly. You are less likely to run into walkers, roller bladers, and jackholes who take up the whole path while walking and refusing to move. I'm no Lance Armstrong (I am slightly heavier and have both testicles) but I always have my fastest rides here. There is also some good scenery along the way. There are several great views of the river along this stretch. You will see various tugboats, barges, and crude oil tankers float by as you pedal away. There is also the Destrahan plantation about 8 miles after leaving Rivertown, followed by the Luling Bridge and the monsterous house that Jesse Duplantis built from his televangilism. I'm sure Jesus wants him to live there. If you get thirsty along the way, the St. Rose Tavern is a great place to hydrate. Overall a pretty smooth ride with only a few bumpy spots along the way. So put on your spandex and pedal on over the St Charles parish.

Also known as "Chevron Boardwalk"…read more This area is little more than a rest area on the old Hwy 90/Hwy190 highway system junction. It used to have a pond along with a well, believe it or not, right near the entrance from Hwy 90. All that was destroyed during Katrina. Back in those days, this entire area was actually quite a popular attraction for Sunday picnics and things of that nature. The pond would often have small gators, turtles and yes, lots of fish and the occasional water snake! Katrina took out a lot of the hardwood trees and the grasses and tallow trees took over. In those swampy areas 16 years ago is where I laid eyes on my first wild Eastern Coral snake! (Louisiana two step) It was very small, though, and I let it alone under the log where I found it. Ahhh, memories. Now, it is significantly less than that, but it does have a sweet boardwalk that ventures out into the marsh with a beautiful view of a small lake. The area also features a small boat launch for smaller craft; the lake isn't very big, but I hear it's good fishing. If you go out there, be prepared to see a few alligators up close and personal near the boat launch and in the waters beyond the boardwalk. Do NOT feed those gators. Also, you will see a population of feral cats and possibly some raccoons. Local farmers often use this rest area to sell veggies and honey or homemade craft items to passersby on the highway because the swamp tours are just down the road. I give this place 4 stars because it is one of my favorite night-time sky viewing areas. There's something lots of people don't even really think about. That boardwalk on a clear night sky will show you stars you've never seen before, and there is NO better place to watch a meteor shower. Also worthy of 4 stars is the small lake where if you have access to a boat, is a really nice place to spend the day in the middle of the marshy water. I would give this place 5 stars if those bald eagles still nested across the lake. That's right. Before Katrina, there was a well established bald eagle nest located just across the lake. You could see it with binoculars and MANY times have I gone out there to see those eagles flying around the lake and even directly above me from the boardwalk. Since Katrina, though, I have not seen any eagles. It is still worth a stop, though. As a rest area, to stretch your legs AND as a small nature reserve where you may see a gator or two, lots of turtles and possibly even a few bullfrogs.

Sadly it doesn't look like it's been kept it with. We saw this nature preserve on the maps and…read morestopped here since we had a plenty of time before I swamp tour. It said a good 20-40 minute walk out. You can tell that the boardwalk is gone by the way it just ends. And there were holes (small ones) throughout the short walk out. Looks like someone puts out cat food for the raccoons ‍‍ not sure. This looks more like a place teenagers/young adults would hang out at night telling ghost stories and drinking.

This was the best part of our trip!! So much fun!! Jaci and…read moreBrodey were the best guides! Also both so gorgeous humans good lord! Thank you so much for these memories!!

Cheyenne and Tiffany were amazing guides Hamming it up and making everybody smiled the entire time…read moreI will come back and finish this review when I'm not exhausted from the Run

After looking at many ads and reviews on fishing guides in Louisiana, I was impressed the most by…read moreLouisiana Fishing Charters. After talking with Randall, I knew he would be a great fit for how I wanted to fish. I fish for redfish quite often and never use live bait. Randall was very pleased to hear that. We agreed on a price and planned the trip for the next morning. The dock and accommodations offered nearby at Pelicans Roost Resort are absolutely fantastic. Although they are extremely nice, we were in our motorhome and they actually had a spot for us to hook up our water and electricity. The next morning I literally stepped out of the motorhome and walked thirty yards to the dock and met Randall for our trip- and what a trip it was. I don't know how many we caught, but it was certainly more redfish than I had ever caught on any redfishing trip. It had to be over 25. Most were in the four to five pound range-perfect size. Randall certainly knows his way around the swamps and bayous in the area. We caught fish at every stop. What a day. Make the call. You will not regret it.

"Captain" RANDALL SHAW IS A LIAR AND A SCAM!! BEWARE and SAVE YOURSELF THE HEADACHE…read more Randall said he would be taking us out to fish personally. The day we arrived in Louisiana he suddenly had a "last minute fishing tournament" in Florida, farming us out to another "captain" who turned out to be an 80 year old man named Jim. Jim not only lives 150 miles from the bayou and does not know how or where to fish it, but fell asleep during our charter, leaving us to bait our own hooks and figure out if we needed to switch spots and then prompt him to move the boat. After catching 1 small red ALL day and seeing others with loads of fish when we returned to the marina, I took it upon myself to talk with other captains and figure out what was going on with our guide and this so called "Captain Randall" It turns out Randall is not welcome by the captains at the bayou in Louisiana because he does the bait and switch on customers and has scammed some of the locals personally. His nick name in the area is SCANDAL RANDALL!!! We were told he stays in Florida because he knows not to show his face in Louisiana, but sells fishing packages like he is there in person and working the charters. He will make it sound like he is hosting you himself with a bonfire and fish fry onsite and that the lodging is top notch. NO!! NONE OF THIS IS TRUE!! He was nowhere to be found, no bonfire, we had to figure out our own fish fry and the lodges bed was no more than a pad you would get in jail. Randall then would not pay the lodge owner for our 1 night stay after we decided to go a different direction the 2nd night. He continued to send us bills after we left the lodge, finding our own accommodations and a new captain. The $300.00 deposit we gave Randall in the beginning should have gone to lodging for the first night. He denied getting any money from us, even with a paid invoice. We paid "Captain Jim" $600.00 directly for his time with us and cancelled the second day fishing with him. We were fortunate enough to locate the king of the bayou and catch loads of bull reds, spotted trout etc. the second day! Randall has many scams going according to the locals in Delacroix.. another we heard about was a shudder business. He tells customers to install his shudders on their homes so the structure can withstand hurricane damage. BULLSHIT!! Please be careful out there! This is not the guy to deal with.

Captain Pip was great We had 4 people on a bird tour. Got…read moregreat information about the local environment as well Tour lasted over two hours and covered many different locations based on what we saw and asked about. This is new operation so the name is not fixed in some searches. We had found it as New Orleans wings of the wetlands and also Beyond the French Quarter boat tours. No matter how you find them getting Captain Pip is worth it. Of course what you see will depend on the time of year and weather but the overall discussions are worth the ride. Also try the restaurant on site. It was good.

Captain Pip took us on a couple hour bird watching trip. Saw lots of birds but also heard a lot…read moreabout local conservation efforts and history. Definitely recommended

Great find. Had a couple hrs to kill between hotel check out…read moreand our swamp tour. I asked the swamp tour folks about a local park and they sent us here. Turn in at the Library. Initially the playground area was kinda lame. Tiny. Little kid centered with not much variety. Upon further inspection the park has a dog park, concrete walking trails and a small water play area. The water play area was great. It was tiny as well but a lot of fun for the kids on a hot day. I found their suits but had to sacrifice a shirt as a towel. Great little spot. Looks to be brand new and the first phase of development. I would expect this park to grow exponentially in the upcoming years. Great spot to burn a couple yrs.

The park is always kept in good condition and is in an amazing area. A real staple of the…read morecommunity. Plus they have a dog park for both large and small dogs!