Tickfaw State Park

Tickfaw State Park, located near the town of Springfield in southeastern Louisiana, is a quiet retreat for those seeking to immerse themselves in the scenery and wildlife of a Louisiana swamp. Whether paddling through the bayous or walking the park’s extensive boardwalks, visitors are treated to a landscape that feels both ancient and alive.

a kayaker seen under leaning trunk of a large cypress tree with cypress knees in water — Kayaking through the bayou swamp at Tickfaw State Park

a paddle through the tickfaw state park swamp

Guided kayak tours through the park offer a tranquil and intimate view of the swamp. As you glide past towering cypress and tupelo trees—some of them centuries old—the forest reveals a natural beauty that few places can match.

Steve Lawless, who leads these guided trips, describes the experience as humbling. “We see some of these big trees that never got cut because they were hollow or got passed over for some reason,” he explains. The twists and turns of the shallow bayou are framed by clusters of cypress knees and a few massive old-growth trees.

man in orange kayak near a very large cypress tree with cypress knees in water

Steve Lawless paddles to one of the cypress giants

Lawless refers to the area as a “natural sculpture garden” and often pauses his tour beside one of the ancient giants. “I’m here for this little bit of time, just a splinter of time compared to what this tree has been here,” he reflects. Lawless operates the Merry Green Marvel tour company. For more information on guided kayak tours, visit the organization’s website – CLICK HERE.

seeing the swamp by boardwalk

For those without a kayak, Tickfaw offers another way to experience its swamps. Park manager Joel Davis highlights the park’s six miles of elevated boardwalks: “We try to let Mother Nature run its course,” Davis says. “You can see all the various park life animals and reptiles.”

a wooden pedestrian suspension bridge in the forest — A boardwalk leads to a suspension bridge over the Tickfaw River in the state park

kayaking in tickfaw state park featured on tv

Watch this Heart of Louisiana story on Tickfaw State Park

Tickfaw State Park took a beating from Hurricane Ida nearly four years ago. The boardwalks had to be patched and rebuilt and reopened in late 2024. There is a large fishing pond and pier near the campground. The pond is also home to a few alligators. I spotted some baby gators swimming to mama gator. Davis says that people need to keep their distance and not feed the alligators. He points out that feeding the gators is prohibited by state law.

alligator floating near edge of pond — Large alligator in the fishing pond.

staying at tickfaw state park

The park’s campground has 30 sites with complete hookups, including water, electricity and sewerage. And if you prefer a cabin, Tickfaw has fourteen cabins located along the edge of the woods. The park also has a nature center with exhibits on the types of wildlife that live in the local swamp.

yellow wild flowers — Springtime wildflowers near the boardwalk

white wildflowers — Blooming wild blackberry plants.

a place to enjoy nature

“I would say if you love nature, this is the place to come for it,” says Davis. Tickfaw State Park is a place where you can slow down and travel deep into a swamp and experience the wildlife, the unique shapes and sounds of nature.

a large bent cypress tree in a swamp — A large bent cypress tree in the swamp.

a cluster of 3 tupelo trees in a swamp forest — These tupelo trees are nicknamed the “Three Sisters”

getting to tickfaw state park

Tickfaw State Park is located at 27255 Patterson Road, Springfield, Louisiana. For more information, you can call the park at (225) 294-5020. For camping and cabin reservations, go to the state park’s official website – CLICK HERE.

supension bridge over small river in the woods — Boardwalk suspension bridge over the Tickfaw River.

27225 Patterson Rd, Springfield, LA 70462