Directions for Manchac Swamp public launch
Don’t want to Drive? Contact Us about shuttle options from New Orleans.
If you are visiting the area please DO NOT rely on Uber/Lyft/Taxi services as this launch is remote and return trips are VERY hard to find.
Important Info - Restrooms (or lack of): There are no facilities at the launch site or anywhere along our paddling route. The last opportunity for modern plumbing is just after you exit I-10 at Laplace at a Shell station.
Directions to the Manchac Swamp launch
Using Google Maps - ONLY works in Google!! Search “Kayak Heaven” and there is a marker for the launch area. Zooming out should show the launch between two large lake, Lake Pontchartrain & Lake Maurepas
Coming From New Orleans take Interstate 10 west out of the city, to the LaPlace exit — #209. Turn right (north), stop at the Shell Station for restrooms and then proceed five miles north (turn right out of the Shell parking lot) on the two lane ground level blacktop highway. Ignore the elevated Interstate 55 and its up ramps, stay on the ground level highway after exiting I-10. You will see our trailer at the launch, it’s hard to miss.
If coming from north of the lake (Hammond, Mandeville, Covington etc), then take Interstate 55 south to the Ruddock exit (number 7) which is about six miles south of the Pass Manchac bridge. After descending to the ground, ignore the large boat ramp and parking lot but instead proceed another 2.2 miles south on the two lane black top highway. The launch site is on the west side of the two lane highway. Be sure to stop for a restroom break before arriving at the launch.
Parking at the launch site: Please park along the highway on the right hand (east) side with your vehicle well off the road in the grass. This will leave the modest parking lot on the west side open for fisherman and their trailers. BE VERY ALERT crossing the highway. Traffic zooms by at 60 mph.
Restrooms (or lack of): There are no facilities at the launch site or anywhere along our paddling route. The last opportunity for modern plumbing is just after you exit I-10 at Laplace at a Shell station.
Manchac Wetlands are located northwest of New Orleans. The wetlands are forested with a web of bayous and canals that provided limited access. Consisting of approximately 200 square miles, the wetlands surround Lake Maurepas and extend from Lake Pontchartrain on the east side and to I-10 on the south side. The wetlands are part of the Lake Pontchartrain basin with rivers flowing in from the west and the lake to the east.