Bogue Chitto Natl. Wildlife Reserve in Louisiana

Trip Overview

This trip is a branch of the Pearl River, no gators on this trip but lots of birds and other wildlife. The river stage is critical to this paddle, the reserve closes when the river stage is at 15.5ft or above, this is usually in early spring. Yesterdays trip was ideal, water was just deep enough to paddle and/or pole and only had to drag twice, about 30ft each time, through ankle deep water.

Going upstream is a workout at times where the river chutes through narrow areas and over sandbars, but no more than 5 minutes of moderate paddling at a time. The ride back is especially fun, on those same chutes you have to give some effort you canoe/kayak can get to about 5mph with no paddling.

Be aware of submerged logs, the Pearl and its tributaries can be very dangerous.

Accommodations:

None. Rough gravel put in.
Town of Pearl River and Picayune nearest facilities.

Fees:

All wildlife reserves in LA require one of the following to be legal, Hunting or fishing license, or a wild Louisiana stamp, which is the cheaper option.

Directions:

On I-59 north from Slidell go to exit 11, the Pearl River Turnaround exit, make a left go around curve and turn off road directly after to the right, park under the overpass for a nice cool car when you get back. Choose your direction once on the water Ive been left, upstream and it was excellent, will report on downstream next time I go.