Creole Living

Sometimes life passes by too quickly. That’s why Louisiana’s Creole Natural Trail is the ideal road-trip destination for the always-on-the-go American.

Whether it’s a long vacation or a weekend getaway, self-proclaimed “Louisiana’s Outback” is one of America’s last greatest wildernesses with more than 180 miles of wild, rugged terrain and untamed wasteland and shores along the Gulf Coast.

In addition to the vast assortment of fishing locals, visitors can drive up and down the handful of trails that provide both tranquility and adventure.

One such tour, from Sulphur to Holly Beach, leads visitors to Brown’s Grocery store, a Dollar Store and Cameron State Bank and encompasses farmlands, fresh and brackish marshes and natural sand beaches. Additionally, the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge is open and accessible, complete with waterfowl hunting and roadside recreation activities.

Holly Beach to Oak Grove consists of a winding drive near the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. Travelers can overlook the commercial fishing and oil and gas industries or take a ferry trip across the Calcasieu Ship Channel. Visitors also can dine at Hurricane’s Restaurant, which is known for its pub-fare menu, eat at G&G Restaurant, which serves traditional American food, or swing by a pizza joint called Darla K’s. They also can gas up at L&L Docks. Unfortunately the Jetties Fishing Pier, off Davis Road in Cameron, is still off-limits as a result of Hurricane Ike.

Another trail, the Holly Beach to Texas Line, for instance, guides visitors along the coast and up a four-mile road to the Sabine Pass Lighthouse, which is a deserted 80-foot brick tower.

The Cameron Prairie to Lacassine NWR trail is enveloped in freshwater marsh, coastal plains and the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge, which offers bird watching, fishing and other recreational activities.

The Oak Grove to Lake Charles trail leads to hot food at Sha Sha’s, the wildlife refuge headquarters, East Cove Unit and restrooms. However Pintail Drive remains closed for re-surfacing.

The winding route of Oak Grove to Rockefeller Refuge includes Price Lake Nature Drive, which includes fishing areas and boat launches, along with an alligator research facility and access to fishing and crabbing.

While driving through the reserve, visitors can soak up the fauna, which is the pairing of prairies and marshes with wildlife. For example, travelers can see 14-ft-long alligators or come in contact with the more than 300 bird species. Hunters can obtain licenses and set traps for beaver, bobcat, coyote, grey fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, river otter, red fox, raccoon and skunk. Or they can retrieve fishing licenses for the six beaches, which contains a range of fish, such as 10.13-lb. speckled trout to a 60- to 70-lb. black drum. Other popular side-of-the-road activities include shrimping, crabbing and oystering.

Louisiana’s lush landscape also provides for more intimate activities, such as shelling, sunbathing, surf fishing, swimming, tubing or a chance to overlook the Chenier Plain, which is filled with nearly 10-ft tall oak trees, and a sea of sunflowers.

Travelers who wish to acquire travel insurance should do so at least 15 days prior their trip. This can include emergency medical treatment or evacuation, trip cancellation or additional cheap auto insurance protection for the vehicle. Quotes vary depending on date, make/model/year of car, number of people and time of year.

Interested visitors can go to CreoleNatureTrail.org to receive additional information, directions to the trail or download MP3 files of each tour to guide you along the way.

Happy trails.