Swamps in Plaquemine Louisiana

Louisiana's swamp lands hold a special place in Louisiana culture. These marshlands are an extremely important ecosystem within the land and Cajun and Native American Indians have been living in harmony with these lands for centuries. From the lurking alligators to pristine lakes that wind through the state, you'll discover how special these swamps are to Louisiana. Take a guided swamp tour to see alligators, kayak through bayous and rivers or find that perfect cajun restaurant in between marshes to sample the local fare.

The Mississippi River runs alongside Plaquemine, the parish seat of Iberville Parish. The city is rich in small-town charm, with old plantation homes that recall its founding in 1775. Plaquemine (whose name is a Native American word for "persimmon") is a former logging town that gained notoriety for an engineering marvel known as the Plaquemine Lock. The lock system allowed for transport of boats between the Mississippi River and the wild inland waterways of the Atchafalaya Basin, and it was designed by the same man who later became chief engineer for the Panama Canal.

Learn more about the city's importance to the state's rivers and bayous at Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site, and make sure you see other nearby attractions such as the Iberville Museum (housed in the former 1849 parish courthouse), the historic homes of Turnerville, Nottoway Plantation and Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park. Cyclists should take advantage of the 22-mile-long Plaquemine to Grosse Tete biking trail.