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Tickfaw River, Tickfaw State Park

This paddle trail starts at Tickfaw State Park north of New Orleans and Lake Maurepas. From the launch there is a small channel, labeled as Gum Bayou on the park map, that leads out to the main Tickfaw River channel. This channel was clear when I went but I don’t know if that is always the case. Once in the Tickfaw River the route goes upstream to the Highway 42 bridge, then back down to the state park. One could go downstream as well. The river was pretty low and there was only a slight current (Tickfaw at Holden 155 cfs, gage 1.1). An easy paddle, no obstructions, and since the Tickfaw River twists and turns so much you never know what’s coming around the bend. I saw 4-5 alligators sunning on the bank at various points, one was good sized. The park staff said that the forest surrounding the river has lost many trees due to wind several years ago, and as a result the undergrowth has boomed in the sun. The forest is in fact incredibly brushy and tangled with lots of downed tree trunks; it’s actually kind of interesting to see this stage of the recovery process. The layout of tent camping sites in Tickfaw SP is extremely well done compared to the more usual packed in arrangement. Some sites can flood in rainy weather.

Above: The Tickfaw State Park canoe launch, leading to the Tickfaw River.

Above: The woods to each side of the river are a tangle of brush along with those trees that withstood the storm winds.

Above: Tickfaw Winter…typical look along the river.

Above: There are quite a few sandbars around the corners. Sometimes there will be a gator.

Above: Taking a break, just downstream of Highway 42.

Above: Hunting blind along the Tickfaw River.

Above: Don’t want to miss the signs for the channel that leads back to the state park!