The great beyond – The 225 guide to outdoors fun not far from Baton Rouge

Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part Outdoors Guide for the Greater Baton Rouge area. For part one’s tips on hunting, fishing and kayaking regionally, first published in our October issue.

Louisiana’s miles of public waterways offer exceptional opportunities for water sports like skiing, wakeboarding, knee-boarding and tubing. Fortunately, there are several bodies of water nearby to make for a fun-filled summer outing.

The owner of Zachary-based Bennett Water Skiing and Wakeboarding School, Jay Bennett, suggests the Intercoastal Canal in Port Allen as a great location for all water sports. A public boat launch is situated under the bridge crossing the Intercoastal Canal, only minutes from downtown Baton Rouge. The canal is long and straight, offering miles of uninterrupted waterborne fun, though boaters should be aware of passing barges that frequent the canal.

Bennett also recommends False River in New Roads and the Amite and Tickfaw rivers. Those looking for seclusion can find it on the Tickfaw. False River is 10.5 miles in length and lacks many underwater obstructions that can be dangerous for boaters elsewhere, making the lake ideal for enjoying water sports with the family. Boat launches on the south and north end of the lake allow public access (some may have launch fees). Bennett’s school (skibennetts.com) is located next to three private man-made lakes, creating 30 acres of paradise for anyone who enjoys water sports. There is also a pro shop stocked with apparel and equipment used in many of these activities and, according to Bennett, the shop boasts a selection not found anywhere else in the South. Cabins on the private lakes are available for rent.

Baton Rougeans can enjoy well-maintained mountain biking trails around the city thanks to organizations like BREC and the Baton Rouge Area Mountain Bike Association. BRAMBA President Jeff Vaughn is an experienced trail rider, and one of his favorite local trails is the West Feliciana Sports Park Mountain Biking Trail in St. Francisville. Riders have nicknamed this particular trail “the beast” for its technical nature, involving extreme ascents and descents.

“It’s definitely the most challenging, where you can get the best workout,” Vaughn says. For an easier and more family-friendly ride, he recommends the Hooper Road Park Trail and Comite River Park Trail, both of which are maintained by BRAMBA and BREC.

Those looking for street rides within the city limits can join the outings hosted by the Baton Rouge Bike Club, which are open to riders of all ability levels. Club President Chris Clark recommends the levee trail bike bath from Farr Park to downtown during the evening to enjoy a scenic Louisiana sunset overlooking the Mississippi River.

Those looking for advice on bikes or local trails can visit a host of local shops: The Bicycle Shop (bicycleshop.com), Capitol Cyclery (capitolcyclery.com), The Bike Crossing of Baton Rouge (927-5005) or Mid-City Bikes (636-5776). More information on local trails and bike clubs can be found at bramba.org and batonrougebikeclub.com.

Baton Rouge has a strong running community that puts extensive effort into supporting and advancing the sport in the area. At the center of this close-knit community is Varsity Sports. Owner Jenni Peters has been running the city’s trails for years and knows some of the best spots around. One her of favorites is University Lake and City Lake, a 6.5-mile journey from campus end to City Park.

“[It’s] wonderfully scenic, and [you] get to see and visit with others in the fitness community,” Peters says. She also recommends the Garden District for a shady add-on to running the lakes.

University Acres (Fat Boy 5K Course) is another enjoyable running location, according to Peters, and a fantastic area for navigating through the hills that are prevalent in the area. Those who want an off-road experience can venture off the pavement at the Hooper Road Park Trail. Club South Runners President David Vincent says the trail is one of the best off-road running trails around.

“You’ve got everything from water obstacles to trees, and it’s shaded, so you’re not out in the sun the whole time—[and] it’s got a lot of distance options,” Vincent says. He recommends checking for races and running events taking place around the city, or joining an organization such as Club South Runners (clubsouthrunners.net) or Peters’ Varsity Running Club (varsityrunning.net) to network and exercise with others in the running community.

BREC walking paths and nature trails (brec.org/index.cfm/page/1973) are also good options for runners to get some quality, outdoor exercise time.

No place is better for a weekend camping trip in close proximity to Baton Rouge than Tickfaw State Park (crt.state.la.us/parks/itickfaw.aspx). The park is located around 40 miles outside of Baton Rouge, south of 1-12, surrounded by dense, swampy bottomland. Tickfaw State Park Curator Brad Lavigne says the site is perfect for tent or RV campers, and cabins are available as well. There are 30 RV sites with electric and water hookups, and 20 unimproved campsites with no running water or electricity.

“You can put a small RV on a tent site. You just won’t have electricity,” Lavigne says.

The park’s 14 cabins can sleep up to eight people each and are available for rent at prices that vary throughout the year. Tickfaw campers can also choose from activities like hiking on numerous trails, canoeing on the Tickfaw River, fishing in park ponds and bird-watching. The best time to visit the park is in January or February, when it’s cool and the bugs are less active.

Sherburne Wildlife Management Area in the Atchafalaya Basin offers camping opportunities at two locations. The WMA’s Vidrine recommends the south campground for primitive and secluded camping. That means no running water or electricity. Vidrine advises campers to be aware of hunting seasons throughout the year and to stay up to date with current regulations (wlf.louisiana.gov/wma/2763).

There are several mobile apps helpful for excursions through Louisiana’s backcountry, so you can not only track your progress, but share that scenic trip with others. Here are three of our favorites:

Backpacker GPS Trails enables users to record tracks, navigate with a digital compass, save waypoints, collect trip stats and sync data across multiple devices.

EveryTrail has a mobile app to map your route, add trip photos, share tips and follow friends’ trips online.

TrailBehind offers a mobile app that contains topographic maps, a waypoint search and accurate tracking.