This Scenic Louisiana Loop Is One Of The Best Birdwatching Destinations In The South

New Orleans is rightfully considered one of the most unique, vibrant, and memorable cities in the United States. However, a hyperfocus on New Orleans may cause travelers to overlook the rest of Louisiana. Outside of the Big Easy, Louisiana has a plethora of charming small towns and gorgeous parks that aren't quite like anywhere else in the country. For outdoor lovers, Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin is one of America's unsung natural wonders. This one-of-a-kind ecoregion can be experienced on the epic Atchafalaya Loop, an informal network of trails and roads connecting many of the region's best parks and scenic spots. The entire circuit offers plenty of amazing outdoor activities, yet the Atchafalaya Loop may be most attractive to birdwatchers. With a diverse and rich wetland ecosystem and a year-round warm climate, it's one of the best birdwatching spots in the South. 

Not that the Atchafalaya Loop is a remote wilderness miles from civilization. Much of the loop and its various parklands center around Louisiana's underrated city of Lafayette and its marvelous Cajun culture. Located about two hours from New Orleans, Lafayette and its surrounding parishes are a prime gateway to the heart of Louisiana's Cajun culture. However, for birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts, Lafayette is perhaps best known as an embarking point for the epic Atchafalaya Loop and its extensive family of avian residents. Even if birdwatching is not your thing, the trail will take you to prime hiking spots, superb paddling routes on the water, and one of America's most underrated scenic drives.

The Atchafalaya Basin may be the greatest American natural wonder that you've never heard of. Measuring about 100 miles long and 15 miles wide at points, it's a massive wetland ecosystem formed by the convergence of the Atchafalaya River, the Lower Mississippi Basin, and the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, with nearly one million acres within its boundaries, the Atchafalaya Basin is both the country's largest river swamp and an extremely biologically diverse wetland habitat that will delight any wildlife lover. The basin contains magnificent hardwood forests, fertile marshes, and photogenic cypress groves, all of which house one of the most diverse collections of animal life in the United States.

Rich biodiversity in the water, land, and air usually attracts birds, and the Atchafalaya is no exception. The entire basin is a major "coastal fallout" for migratory birds — essentially a rest stop or safe house where thousands of migrating birds can take a break during inclement weather. As a result, the Atchafalaya Loop has a tremendous concentration of birds well within view of visitors. Around 270 species of birds can be found in the swamp, all flying through gorgeous canopies of cypresses, oaks, and other trees. The Atchafalaya is also home to animals like black bears and alligators.

The Atchafaya Loop passes by several prominent parks and preserves that maintain the delicate balance of this one-of-a-kind ecosystem. Most notably, the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge contains around 15,000 acres of federally protected land on the east side of the Atchafalaya River. Other notable parks along the loop are the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Indian Bayou Area, the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area, Evangeline Oak Park, and Lake Fausse Pointe State Park. 

Each of the parks along the Atchafalaya Loop provides great opportunities to see a variety of birds in diverse habitats like swamps, marshes, open water, forests, shrublands, and grassy fields. Among the hundreds of bird species found within the Atchafalaya Basin are wading birds like herons, egrets, ibises, and cranes, as well as owls, swallows, wrens, doves, hummingbirds, and much more. Perhaps more notably, the basin is also a major wintering destination for bald eagles. During the spring and fall, the Atchafalaya Loop becomes a temporary home to countless neotropical birds making their annual migrations, including scarce species like the swallow-tailed kite.

Even in the depths of winter, the Atchafalaya is abundant with waterfowl, songbirds, and plenty of other remarkable (and colorful) specimens. Many of the parks along the Atchafalaya Loop have birdwatching-friendly infrastructure you can take advantage of. For example, the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge features a historic bridge that's been converted into a scenic viewing area directly over the bayou, complete with benches, kiosks, and interpretive signs. 

Much of the Atchafalaya Loop route travels along I-10 and U.S. Route 190 near Lafayette. Parts of the loop even intersect with Louisiana's unforgettable Bayou Teche National Scenic Byway. The byway and the loop also provide access to many of Louisiana's best outdoor adventures, including some of the best paddling and hiking trails in the U.S. For visitors flying in from out of state, the nearby Lafayette Regional Airport offers commercial flights from American Airlines, United, and Delta to and from major airports like Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth. During your birding tour along the Atchafalaya Loop, you can also stop at beautiful small towns (and abundant lodging options) in the heart of Cajun country, like Louisiana's underrated 'Petit Paris' at St. Martinville.