Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
15.00 ft (4.57 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
4.60 mi (7.40 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

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.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Park entrance fee

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Easy terrain. Wildlife viewing corridor.

Cons

Can be muddy.

Trailhead Elevation

38.00 ft (11.58 m)

Highest point

45.00 ft (13.72 m)

Features

Family friendly
Near lake or river
Bird watching
Wildlife

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Biking

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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