Be it canoe paddles, golf clubs, or birding binoculars, be sure to bring your gear when setting out for St. Mary Parish. Blessed with the bounty of the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp, there’s nowhere else quite like this in Louisiana. From the diverse habitats preserved within Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge, to the carefully-tended fairways of The Atchafalaya at Idlewild Golf Course, the Cajun Coast is a destination designed for adventure. So, come prepared.
Birding Bayou Teche NWR
At the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge, outdoor lovers will find hiking, fishing, hunting, bird watching, and nature photography opportunities in abundance. Approximately ten miles of trails wind through bottomland hardwood forests and cypress-tupelo swamps (and provide access to numerous waterways ideal for canoeing and kayaking). The Refuge also boasts a boardwalk perfect for spotting birds fresh from their cross-Gulf migration, and colorful with irises in bloom throughout March and April (including the rare Abbeville Red variety). For those looking for more hands-on sporting activities, over 9,000 acres are available for hunting during deer and duck seasons.
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Kayaking Bayou Teche
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Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild
The parish’s wooded swampy areas also offer excellent birding habitat throughout the spring months—and not just in the Wildlife Refuge, but in places like Brownell Memorial Park & Carillon Tower in Morgan City, too. Neotropical songbirds and buntings are frequent visitors, so keep your eyes peeled for the telltale gold of a prothonotary warbler, or the kaleidoscopic flash of color that heralds the approach of a painted bunting. Songbirds, wading birds, and shore birds all flock to St. Mary Parish, particularly in the spring months; eager birders are also drawn by the promise of seeing young bald eagles soaring alongside their parents, brown pelicans hanging around just about every boat landing, or a swallow-tailed kite soaring over Bayou Teche.
Golfing the Atchafalaya
Closer to civilization, the Atchafalaya at Idlewild Golf Course offers avid golfers the opportunity to experience the raw beauty of the Atchafalaya Basin from the meticulously groomed vantage point of a golf course ranked fifth in the nation by Golf Digest’s roundup of best public courses under $75, and among the top 50 in the U.S. by Golfweek. With water features, stands of mature trees, and abundant wildlife, the course challenges golfers to take on a challenging course in a beautiful setting. The Atchafalaya also offers a driving range, golf carts equipped with GPS, and a restaurant serving local Cajun fare. https://cajuncoast.com/golf/
Fishing Hotspots and Boat Launches
And for those itching to get out on the water to fish, look no further. Head to Lake Verret, canals throughout the Garden City area, or any of the marshes in the region for exciting bass fishing from early spring into the summer months. For saltwater fishing, check out Old Oyster Bayou, Locust Bayou, or anywhere south of Four League Bay in the Point au Fer area. Some sought-after species in these areas include redfish, black drum, and speckled trout, among others. For resources, links to guiding services, and a downloadable list of area boat launches, visit cajuncoast.com/activities/.
