Black Bayou LA, Noah Tyson Park, Hwy 1
This kayak paddle trail route map is a second trip at Black Bayou in Northwest Louisiana (one of many ‘black bayous’ located here and there). It’s only half an hour from the Caddo WMA area. The best access is at the Noah Tyson Park boat ramp just south of Mira Mytis Road. But, because that launch was flooded due to high water this trip puts in where they bayou crosses Highway 1 just south of Rodessa. This Highway 1 launch seems relatively safe and lets you start at the northern end and work your way down to the lake. The bayou is easy to follow, there is a single main channel, but if the water is high enough, and if the surface vegetation, particularly alligator weed and salvinia, have not yet dominated like they will later in the summer, you can explore the lakes and woods to either side. I saw several beavers, lots of snakes, and on a previous trip, an alligator. Black Bayou doesn’t get the attention that Caddo does, but it actually has a unique, more lush, feel to it. For this route the turnaround point was at the watchtower in the lake. The lake would be an interesting place to explore more thoroughly as well.
Above: Signs at the junction of the bayou and the Noah Tyson launch.
Above: The turnaround, and lunch, stop.
Above: So nice.
