Paddle Virgin Cypress at Lake Fausse Pointe

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A paddle through virgin cypress is among—in our estimation—a list of thirty marvelous places, flavors, events, and experiences that anyone who loves our part of the world should experience at least once in his or her lifetime.

Pack & Paddle Outfitters’ founder and owner John Williams points his paddle towards the north shore of Lake Fausse Pointe near St. Martinville. There, canoeists who follow the shoreline of Lake Fausse will find themselves drifting through some of the very few uncut two-thousand-year-old cypress trees remaining in the entire Atchafalaya Basin. Paddle out-and-back for as far as you like, or make it a thirteen-mile all-day trip by shuttling a car to the Grand Avoille Cove Boat Launch for pickup.

Put in at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, which offers cabin rental, camping facilities, and canoe rentals, too. 5400 Levee Road, St. Martinville, La. (337) 229-6173 or lastateparks.com. packpaddle.com.