Sherburne Wildlife Management Area in Louisiana

Trip Overview

This is a must do for any avid paddler. I was scouting for duck hunting and this is a gorgeous wild area. It is located at the end of Section 120 road in the WMA. You can launch to the left or to the right.

The launch to the left takes you into the swamp. Turn left through the gauntlet of cat tails. There is a 3' wide trail through the cat tails for about 200 yards. Then the swamp opens up and you paddle through a bayou that varies from 10 to 40 yards wide. This area is full of gorgeous cypress trees. It goes back about a mile and a half. You really feel like you are back in the swamp in this area it is very remote.

If you launch to the right paddle to your left down the bayou. About 100 yards down the bayou turn right into the cat tail trail. This goes about 400 yards and opens into a larger pond/lake. There is an observation pier there (this is the end of the nature trail off section 120 rd). Turn left past the observation pier and the pond/ lake goes about a mile back into the swamp and is 20 to 40 yards wide. Plenty of cypress. There are cat tail trails off to the left that are fun to venture down.

Accommodations:

None very remote - bring your own food & water.
There is a campground at the north end of the WMA by Krotz Springs. This is 17 miles away.

Fees:

No fees. You must check in and out at WMA self check station.

Directions:

From Baton Rouge take I 10 West past Ramah and take the Shereborne WMA exit Hwy 975. Head north and check in at the WMA station. Go a few miles and turn on gravel road that has brown sign for boat launch. Follow this road few miles it will take a hard right stay on this road and it will go about 2 to 3 miles and you will see Section 120 road turn left and go to the end of the road. You can launch to the left or launch to the right for two different excursions.

Resources:

WMA maps available from LA Dept of WMA web sight. You can print a pdf.