Bayou Cane Hike

The Bayou Cane Trail is a 4.6-mile out-and-back hike that leaves the trailhead and heads through medium-dense forest to the edge of Bayou Cane. The trail is generally flat, though its low, flat profile means that it can be muddy or have large puddles to contend with following wet weather. It shares a trailhead and the first quarter mile of trail with the Sugar Mill Nature Trail, though a sign marks the point where the Bayou Cane Trail splits off and leaves the shorter trail for a trek deep into the Louisiana wetland woods. Along the route, yaupon, loblolly pines, wild grape and sweet gum trees line the trail, along with poison ivy which, combined with ticks, are two things hikers should be aware of possibly being present. As the trail progresses, the feeling of getting deeper and deeper into the swamp begins to take hold. Numerous birds flutter and dart among the tree's at trail's edge. At about 1.3 miles into the hike a fork appears; however, both forks eventually meet a service road a little over a half mile down, so it doesn't matter which fork one chooses. At the service road, a right turn will lead hikers down a grassy wide doubletrack just under another half mile to Bayou Cane. From there, retrace the trail back into the core area of Fontainebleau State Park. There is no water along the way, though there are benches beneath the forest canopy at a couple of points that offer some shade.