Paddling the Refuge
Bayou Sauvage NWR waterways are accessible from two public launch sites on the Refuge.
The Hwy 11 Boat Launch provides access to canals and shallow interior lakes. It is located on the west side of Hwy 11, approximately 2.5 miles south of the Hwy. 11/Irish Channel exit off of I-10.
From Slidell: Take I-10 west. At the end of the I-10 twin span bridge over Lake Ponchartrain, take Irish Bayou #254/Hwy 11 exit. Travel approximately 2.5 miles south on Hwy 11 to reach boat launch on the right.
From New Orleans: Take I-10 east to exit #246A (Chalmette, I-510); go about 2 miles south on I-510 to Highway 90 East exit; turn left onto Hwy 90, following it to the Hwy 11 intersection. Turn left from Hwy 90 onto Hwy 11 and travel 3 miles to reach the boat launch on the left.
GPS coordinates: 30° 7’ 7” N 89° 52’ 00” W
Joe Madere Marsh Canoe Launch site has a picnic pavilion and a short boardwalk that leads to a marsh overlook. This is a good place to look for shorebirds and waterfowl. This site is on U.S. Hwy 90/Chef Menteur Hwy, located 1.7 miles west of the Hwy 11/Hwy 90 junction. The Joe Madere Marsh access is becoming overgrown and shallow — a natural marsh process — so paddling opportunities at this site may be limited to high water times of year. Take a virtual Google Earth tour of the Joe Madere site at this link. GPS coordinates: 30° 3’ 13” N 89° 52’ 35” W
From Slidell: Take I-10 west. At the end of the I-10 twin span bridge over Lake Ponchartrain, take Irish Bayou #254/Hwy 11 exit. Turn left onto Highway 11. (The Refuge is on both sides of Highway 11 once you pass through the hurricane protection levee). At the Hwy 11 and Hwy 90/Chef Menteur Hwy intersection turn right and travel 1.7 miles to reach the entrance on the left.
From New Orleans: Take I-10 east to exit #246A (Chalmette, I-510); go about 2 miles south on I-510 to Highway 90 East exit; turn left onto Hwy 90, and go approximately 4.3 miles to reach entrance on your right.
Crabbing Bridge Rd. Paddlers may also launch from Lake Pontchartrain's shore near the south end of the Hwy 11 bridge. Or follow the unpaved 1.4 mile dirt frontage road that parallels I-10 and leads to a closed-to-traffic bridge over Little Irish Bayou. There is an unimproved launch at the end of the road. GPS coordinates: 30° 9’ 14.50” N 89° 51’ 25.9” W