Port Barre

The Port Barre boat ramp, located at 227 Bayou Drive in Port Barre, serves as the official trailhead for paddling Bayou Courtableau and Bayou Teche. This public launch provides convenient access for kayakers, canoeists, and small motorboats entering these scenic bayou systems. The facility includes handicapped-accessible boat launches, though assistance may be needed during low-water periods.

**Navigation Tips:** From the ramp, paddle right and travel approximately 0.25 miles before turning right into the head of Bayou Teche. Note that the ramp sits on Bayou Courtableau itself, so you'll paddle about 0.3 miles before reaching Bayou Teche proper. Be aware that water levels fluctuate seasonally—low water from June through December can present challenges including shallow depths, submerged obstacles, sandbars (particularly at the Courtableau-Atchafalaya junction), and debris. Smaller, shallow-draft vessels handle these conditions more reliably during drought periods. This location provides excellent access to the scenic Atchafalaya Basin and surrounding waterways within one of the largest bottomland hardwood forests in the United States.