Boating in Bastrop Louisiana

Throughout Louisiana, water is abundant. Rent a boat or kayak for a great way to explore the depths of a cajun swamp, charter a boat to go deep sea fishing or climb aboard for a guided tour up the river. The majority of the state parks offer bodies of water like lakes with easily accessible boat ramps, canoe and kayak rentals and dedicated swimming areas, while others offer wooded bayous and reservoirs that are perfect for fishing and enjoying a day out on the water.

Architecture and the outdoors are the big draws to the small town of Bastrop. City founder Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, was one of Louisiana's most colorful characters, who populated the town with 99 immigrants from northern states to run grain mills. Since then, Bastrop has become a hideout for Civil War soldiers, a refuge for refugees of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, and, more recently, the home to some of northern Louisiana's more interesting architecture. While cruising past the town's Craftsman and plantation-style homes, be sure to check out the Snyder Museum and Creative Arts Center -- ask about the historical tours of the region at the Bastrop Visitor Center. Outdoor adventure seekers will find plenty of paddling opportunitites in the area. Check out paddle trails in the area.