Length of Byway: 180 miles
Beyond the interstate…beyond the excitement of Louisiana’s cities…Here lies a world of natural beauty and abundance whose people preserve the very heart of Louisiana’s cultures. This is a land that beckons to everyone, young and old, with a sense of adventure. This is Louisiana’s Outback. A place where prairie melts into the marsh, where the Gulf of Mexico laps against sandy beaches, where rare cheniers are shaped by salty winds. Here, birds and butterflies flock in the millions – as they have for thousands of years. In this world, Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole cultures took root and grew in harmony with abundant life – a life you can share on the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road.
The more than 180-mile Creole Nature Trail is a driving tour on one of America’s “Last Great Wildernesses,” and you have the chance to experience world-famous wildlife habitats and estuaries. See alligators and Louisiana’s “pink flamingo,” the roseate spoonbill. Fish, hunt, or crab along the way. The Creole Nature Trail is a journey through wild and rugged terrain unique to Louisiana, American, and the world…Louisiana’s Outback.
Driving the entire trail takes eight to ten hours. This allows for stops at wildlife refuges, sandy beaches, picnic sites, and mingling with the friendly Cajun locals. Download the free personal tour app (available in multiple languages – search “creole” in your app store.) Once on the trail, open the app and make sure your location is enabled. It’s like having a personal tour guide in the vehicle with you!