The Lower Mississippi River Water Trail
270 LBD Double Silo Hunting Club “Cajun Condo”
Known by the tow pilots as “Cajun Condo,” these twin grain silos silo have been rebuilt from the inside as a fancy dormitory, and are in fact a high end hunting club. You probably won’t want to camp here, especially during hunting season, but there is a decent dune located within the bankside alcove directly below the silos that would be good protection from the north wind in an emergency. Otherwise continue on downstream to find equally good shelter near the mouth of Bayou Sara.
268.5 – 268 RBD Graveyard Landing
There are two landings located about a half mile apart from each other on either side of the Graveyard Light (RBD 268.5). The first is an open grassy area with trees scattered throughout, and is an asphalt landing. The second is a small sandy dune good up to 35NG, but there is a hunting camp behind it. Both would be good south wind protection.
266.2 LBD Bayou Sara
Bayou Sara enters the Mississippi just above the old ferry boat landing, surrounded by low/med water sandbars that climb in elevation as you proceed up the bayou and eventually rise to become tall steep muddy banks typical to the Lower Miss and its tributaries. The Oyster Bar is located around the first bend of the Bayou, a lively party place at night time, but closed during the day. Paddlers overnighting in St. Francisville could paddle up Bayou Sara a ways and find a ravine, or side ditch, or some other good place to hide their vessel before entering town.
Local kayak fishing guide Andy Green says: “Camping on Bayou Sara is fine weather permitting. Be aware of the potential for flash flooding. Any substantial rain will flood the creek turn it into a torrent. Those nice sand bars will have white water style current that’s full of debris running over them in a matter of hours.”
“Bayou Sara is one of only two tributaries that enter the Mississippi River in Louisiana from the east, the other being Thompson Creek. The bayou’s swift moving waters differ greatly from the typical cypress-laden swamps of South Louisiana, and are frequently clear enough at its upper end to see the stream’s sand and clay bottom. As it widens to meet the river, the bayou becomes more turbid, and supports an abundance of alligators, river otters, water birds, and beavers, as well as several species of game fish. Whether you prefer fishing the fall run of white and striped bass, or spending a spring afternoon bird watching and exploring flooded forests, kayaking Bayou Sara provides a glimpse of Louisiana’s natural beauty that you will never forget.” (Andy Green, Bayou Sara Kayak Rental)
Andy Green specializes in kayak fishing Bayou Sarah and its tributaries. Andy can also provide support for big river expeditions, such as shuttles, resupply and logistics. For kayak fishing, guiding, outfitting, and rentals on this picturesque bayou, call Andy at Bayou Sara Kayak Rental, 225-202-8822, or email andrew_green83@yahoo.com.
266 LBD Old St. Francisville Ferry Landing
A ferry here was first commissioned by an act of the Legislature in 1830, and for a long time was the only ferry service between Plaquemine, LA, and Hickman, KY. The ferry only recently ended its long service shuttling vehicle across the river after the opening of the new Audubon Bridge (261.8) in 2011. Sadly it was discontinued after the construction of the New Roads Bridge (Audubon Bridge — mile 261.8) in 2011.
The old ferry landing now makes for one of the best access points to the Mississippi River in Louisiana. This is also your best access into St. Francisville, a great town for resupplies of water and groceries, and good place to either end or begin your adventure. If you tell someone to pick you up in St. Franny, this is the place you’ll want to meet. The other choice would be the public boat launch a mile downstream. But it’s not as well kept, and tends to attract more riff-raff. Keep reading below for more about St. Francisville and its many offerings.
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