Top 5 alligator watching spots in Louisiana
Do you dream of seeing alligators during a Louisiana road trip? Louisiana and neighbouring Florida—with its famous Everglades—have the largest alligator populations in the world. Discover the top 5 spots to see alligators in Louisiana.
With its marshes, airboats and Cajun music, this southern US state has earned its nickname of the "Bayou State". Pack your camera and a good insect repellent, I'm taking you to Louisiana to see the alligators… Excitement guaranteed!
#1. Houma, one of top 5 alligator spots in Louisiana
It's no surprise that this small southern town is one of the best places to see alligators in Louisiana: it's right in the heart of bayou country. Founded in 1834, Houma is crisscrossed by rivers, swamps and marshes.
Houma is a must-see Louisiana destination for anyone wanting to experience and be fully immersed in Cajun culture. We bet it won't take you long to appreciate the food, music and legendary hospitality! Let yourself be swept away by the atmosphere of the bayou…
Historically, Houma was central to the cultivation of sugar cane. Some 19th-century plantations are now open to visitors. This is a great chance to learn more about what life was like in Southern Louisiana at the time.
While in Houma, take the opportunity to meet the locals… the alligators. Like everywhere else in Louisiana, these large aquatic reptiles are at home here. To observe them safely and up close, treat yourself to a boat tour through the bayou aboard the famous airboats. These flat-bottomed boats powered by a large propeller are perfect for cruising through the swamps. A must-do activity in Louisiana!
I particularly recommend Cajun Man’s Swamp Tours & Adventures and Bayou Black Airboat Swamp Tours, departing from Gibson near Houma. Your captain will share many fascinating tales about alligators, but also about the local flora and fauna. The best time to see alligators is from February to early November (with a peak in early May after the mating season).
Greenwood Gator Farm and Tours also offers tours through the back swamps of Houma, where many surprises await. If you feel like it, you can visit the alligator farm when you get back from the tour.
And don't hesitate to visit the Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge. Nature lovers will love this nature reserve, which offers a variety of activities such as:
- A walking trail
- Bird watching and alligator watching
- Photography
- Sailing
- Fishing, and more...
#2. Lake Martin
East of Lafayette and south of Breaux Bridge is Lake Martin, a great place to watch alligators in Louisiana! In fact, it's one of the lakes with the most alligators in Louisiana. Superb at any time of the day and even more so at sunset, this lake is partly covered with duckweed, which offers an ideal camouflage to the many alligators that live here…
There's no doubt, you're sure to encounter alligators if you visit Lake Martin. When they're not swimming, these large reptiles roam the roads and trails, so watch where you put your feet! The signs are clear: beware of alligators and do not feed them!
Frequented by both locals and nature-loving tourists alike, this beautiful place has trees that are centuries old. It is also home to over 200 species of birds that nest in this unique ecosystem.
As Lake Martin is part of the Cypress Island Preserve, you will have the opportunity to see other wildlife species. Indeed, "gators" as the Americans call them are not the only inhabitants here. The preserve is also home to nutria (or copyu), frogs, turtles and many types of fish. These species are an important part of the alligators' diet. The gators wait patiently in the water for their next feast before attacking and swallowing their prey.
The area can be explored on foot, or by canoe for the more adventurous. You'll see alligators swimming with only their eyes showing above the water, or basking in the sun on the shore.
Around the lake, you'll find tourist attractions like Louisiana Swamp Tours, Swamp Tours of Acadiana and Champagne’s Cajun Swamp Tours, which offer boat rides on the old branches and meanders of the Mississippi as well as kayak rentals. It's the perfect way to get a closer look at the diverse wildlife inhabiting Lake Martin!
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CROCODILE AND AN ALLIGATOR?
Although we sometimes tend to confuse them, crocodiles and alligators are actually very different. Alligators and caimans belong to the Alligatoridae family, while crocodiles belong to the Crocodylidae family. Crocodiles are more aggressive than their cousins and have a more pointed, V-shaped snout.
Also, if you encounter a large aquatic reptile with teeth protruding from its mouth, chances are you are looking at a crocodile. Alligators have almost no teeth exposed when their mouth is closed, and they have a wider, more rounded snout.
Crocodiles live in both freshwater and saltwater, whereas alligators prefer freshwater environments (swamps, ponds, rivers, lakes). They can also sometimes be found in brackish (slightly salty) water.
One thing crocodiles and alligators have in common is that these excellent swimmers spend part of their day in the water and the rest of the time on land.
#3. Jungle Gardens
During your Louisiana road trip, be sure to visit Jungle Gardens. Located at the heart of the bayou on Avery Island, this garden houses a Buddhist temple and a bird sanctuary.
Created in the 1920s by the explorer Edward Avery McIlhenny, son of the Tabasco hot sauce inventor, today these gardens are a must-see Louisiana destination. Incidentally, don't hesitate to visit the Tabasco factory next door. You probably won't encounter any alligators (although…), but it's worth the detour.
This beautiful park with its many species of trees, plants and flowers is a lovely place to walk around. The paths are well laid out and well signposted. You can explore the garden on your own or book a guided botanical or historical tour. You can also drive a 10km loop along Bayou Petite Anse.
This relaxing place is perfect for a nice family walk. Known as a sanctuary for snowy egrets and many other bird species, Jungle Gardens is also home to many other types of wildlife. On your walk, you're likely to come across deer, raccoons, turtles and... lots of alligators!
Alligators are at home here and live freely in their natural environment. They are particularly fond of this green haven of peace surrounded by swampy water. So open your eyes and keep your distance!
A visit to Jungle Gardens will take you between 1 and 1.5 hours. However, the peacefulness of the place and its rich flora and fauna will certainly make you want to stay longer. Feel free to take a picnic lunch, and don't forget your camera!
#4. Creole Nature Trail
The Creole Nature Trail is a beautiful scenic drive that begins at the Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point near Lake Charles and leads all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. This untamed route is a great place to see turtles, blue crabs, wild geese, more than 400 species of migratory birds, and… alligators!
The best time to see them is from April to October. The Creole Nature Trail offers a journey through one of the most beautiful regions in the USA, so don't forget your binoculars.
If you want to see alligators in Louisiana, you've come to the right place. More than 15,000 American alligators live in the wetlands along the Creole Nature Trail. A free application is available to guide you along your adventure. Don't forget to download it!
This route allows you to explore unspoiled places such as the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. I particularly recommend the following two trails:
- Blue Goose Trail
- Wetland Walkway
These trails are a great place to see many alligators, turtles and birds amidst breathtaking scenery.
#5. Caddo Lake
Now let's head for Caddo Lake in northwestern Louisiana. Half of the lake is in Louisiana and the other half in Texas. This lake has one of the densest alligator populations in the entire state… These large reptiles measure more than 3.5 m and can weigh up to 450 kg.
If you want to see them up close (but keep a safe distance), you can rent an kayak or canoe or take a boat ride (go to Uncertain). As you paddle along the shoreline, you may well come across a few…
Although Caddo Lake State Park is in the State of Texas, don't expect to find an ambiance of cowboys, ranches and desert. Here, it's more bayou, mosquitoes and alligators!
These swamps of bald cypress trees, their branches draped with Spanish moss, offer breathtaking scenery. Caddo Lake is a wild and protected place, and the locals will tell you that you have to be born there to know how to navigate the lake and not get lost in the bayou...
Today, rumours about Bigfoot (also known as Sasquatch) abound… Keep your eyes peeled, you might just spot the legendary creature in the middle of the swamp…!
One thing is certain, while Caddo Lake may not be the best place for swimming, its swamps are sublime. If you can stay for the sunset, I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Incidentally, alligators are often most active at dawn and at dusk...
For safety's sake, always keep a distance of 10 m from an alligator. If you get too close, back away slowly. Don't think that these big beasts are slow... Alligators are particularly quick and agile and won't hesitate to defend themselves if they feel threatened.
Map of the top 5 alligator watching spots in Louisiana
Now you know the 5 best spots to see alligators in Louisiana. So channel your inner Crocodile Dundee and set out to discover these impressive aquatic reptiles…
What about you: have you ever crossed paths with an alligator during a trip to the US? Share your experience with us in the comments!
An enthusiast of both our vibrant cities & great oudoors, my life revolves around travel & adventure. It's a no brainer that I have to share the wonders & secrets of my neck of the woods with other travelling souls. Enjoy the journey!
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