Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
Encyclopedia
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park is located in Iberia Parish, Louisiana
. It is located about 18 miles (29 km) east of St. Martinville
adjacent to the Atchafalaya Basin
. The park is 6000 acres (2,428.1 ha) in size and was once the home of the Chitimacha Indians.
s, black bear
s, cottonmouth snakes (Agkistrodon piscivorus
), armadillos, alligators and bobcat
s. An interpretive center provides information and exhibits specific to the plants and animals found in the park. Also at the interpretive center is a boat launch and dock for canoes and other small boats. Dock typically houses rental boats, but generally will have space for canoe campers looking for a place to load up and ship out. All canoe campsite distances shown below are distances from the interpretive center.
There are three hiking trails that also allow biking:
There are also numerous canoe trails which follow well marked waterways and include access to several primitive canoe only campsites.
Note that BPS#5, 6 & 7 can be more quickly reached from the Cove Cabins (Cabins 9-18).
Iberia Parish, Louisiana
Iberia Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is New Iberia. As of 2000, the population was 73,266.Iberia Parish is part of the New Iberia Micropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Lafayette–Acadiana Combined Statistical Area.Iberia, along with...
. It is located about 18 miles (29 km) east of St. Martinville
St. Martinville, Louisiana
St. Martinville is a city in and the parish seat of St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on Bayou Teche, sixteen miles south of Breaux Bridge, eighteen miles southeast of Lafayette, and nine miles north of New Iberia. The population was 6,989 at the 2000 census. It is part of the...
adjacent to the Atchafalaya Basin
Atchafalaya Basin
The Atchafalaya Basin, or Atchafalaya Swamp, is the largest swamp in the United States. Located in south central Louisiana, it is a combination of wetlands and river delta area where the Atchafalaya River and the Gulf of Mexico converge. The river stretches from near Simmesport in the north...
. The park is 6000 acres (2,428.1 ha) in size and was once the home of the Chitimacha Indians.
Features
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park offers a boat launch, playground, splash park, picnic area and pavilions, restrooms, nature trails and canoe trails. Overnight facilities include primitive hike-to and canoe-to campsites, 50 RV campsites, and 18 furnished cabins (10 facing a cove, 8 facing a swamp). The park is home to a number of wild animal species, including whitetail deer, racoonRacoon
Racoon is a Dutch rock band, formed in 1997. Their first big appearance was at the 1999 Noorderslagfestival. First album Till Monkeys Fly appeared in January 2000, produced by Michael Schoots . The first single, Feel Like Flying, became a hit and got a lot of airplay on the Dutch radiostation 3FM...
s, black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
s, cottonmouth snakes (Agkistrodon piscivorus
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Agkistrodon piscivorus is a venomous snake, a species of pit viper, found in the southeastern United States. Adults are large and capable of delivering a painful and potentially fatal bite. When antagonized they will stand their ground by coiling their bodies and displaying their fangs...
), armadillos, alligators and bobcat
Bobcat
The bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
s. An interpretive center provides information and exhibits specific to the plants and animals found in the park. Also at the interpretive center is a boat launch and dock for canoes and other small boats. Dock typically houses rental boats, but generally will have space for canoe campers looking for a place to load up and ship out. All canoe campsite distances shown below are distances from the interpretive center.
There are three hiking trails that also allow biking:
- Trail A, Armadillo Ridge, is 0.75 miles (1.2 km) and takes about 15 minutes to hike. This hike is "easy strolling".
- Trail B, Cardinal Run, is 1.6 miles (2.6 km) and includes a scenic overlook onto Lake Fausse Pointe. It takes about 30 minutes to hike and has a footbridge along a slough and swamp.
- Trail C, Barred Owl Trek, is 3.3 miles (5.3 km) and follows the perimeter of the park. It takes about 2–2.5 hours to hike or 30 minutes to bicycle. This trail has many footbridges over the wettest areas.
There are also numerous canoe trails which follow well marked waterways and include access to several primitive canoe only campsites.
Backpack Campsites
The eight primitive campsites are all found along Trail C. Green markers lead to the backpack sites.- Backpack Site #1 (BPS#1): Near the main trail and next to a slough. Has a bench-table and fire ring. Approx. 0.3 mile (0.482802 km) from trail head.
- Backpack Site #2 (BPS#2): About 100 yds from the main trail. Under a group of hackberry trees. Has a bench-table and fire ring. Approx. 0.4 mile (0.643736 km) from trail head.
- Backpack Site #3 (BPS#3): About 300 yds from the main trail. Under a large elm tree next to a pretty black water slough. Has a bench-table and a fire ring. Trail B is on the opposite side of the slough. Paddling to this site is possible but often challenging due to seasonal aquatic growth (check with interpretive ranger before planning a canoe trip). Approx. 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) from trail head.
- Backpack Site #4 (BPS#4): About 50 yds from the main trail. Site is in the interior of the swamp and is 1.6 miles (2.6 km) down trail. Has a bench-table, primitive bench and fire ring. Approx. 1 miles (1.6 km) from trail head.
- Backpack Site #5 (BPS#5): About 300 yds from the main trail; on a canal. Can be reached by hiking, biking or canoe. Has primitive benches and a fire ring. Approx. 2.3 miles (3.7 km) from trail head. Note: this is NOT CANOE CAMPSITE #5 (Pack or Paddle).
- Backpack Site #6 (BPS#6): About 75 yds from the main trail. Can be reached by hiking, biking or canoe (see interpretive ranger for more information on canoeing). Has primitive bench and fire ring. Approx. 2 miles (3.2 km) from trail head.
- Backpack Site #7 (BPS#7): Half a mile from the main trail. Is in the interior of the swamp. Has 3 fire rings. FOR SERIOUS HIKERS who enjoy seclusion and rough trail. By permit only! Approx. 2.5 miles (4 km) from trail head.
Note that BPS#5, 6 & 7 can be more quickly reached from the Cove Cabins (Cabins 9-18).
Canoe Campsite
- Canoe Site #1, Twin Ponds (CCS#1): Has an open dock, table, tent pad and fire ring. It has a large pond on the front and a marsh on the back side. Off of the GREEN canoe trail - approx. 1.8 miles (2.9 km) from Interpretive Center to Site.
- Canoe Site #2, Ceabon Canal (CCS#2): Has a dock, table and fire ring. It is a small area. Off of the RED canoe trail - approx. 2.3 miles (3.7 km).
- Canoe Site #3, South Pass (CCS#3): Has a dock, table and fire ring. Near the intersection of ORANGE and RED canoe trails - approx. 3.3 miles (5.3 km). Note: Boats from the north (coon slough) should be aware of shallow water. Check with interpretive ranger for water levels & alternate routes.
- Canoe Site #4, Highland Waters (CCS#4): Has a large dock with two tables and two fire rings. Excellent site for campers who enjoy being on an island by the lake under large live oaks. Off of the ORANGE canoe trail - approx. 1 miles (1.6 km). Note: Boats coming from the north (coon slough) should be aware of shallow water. Check with interpretive ranger for water levels & alternate routes.
- Canoe Site #5, Pack or Paddle (CCS#5): Has a dock, table, tent pad and three fire rings. Off of the BLUE canoe trail - approx. 2.3 miles (3.7 km). Also, site can be accessed via Trail C - is approx. 1.3 miles (2.1 km) from trail head. Note: this is NOT BACKPACK SITE #5.