Lake Fausse Pointe State Park

This Atchafalaya Basin park has cypress-tupelo swamp right off its trails and boat launch, with gators a common sight in the lake and surrounding sloughs. Warmer months are most reliable, and canoe or kayak rental lets you get closer to the swamp than the trails alone. Keep boats and paddles a real distance from any gator on the water and never corner one in a channel. The park's cabins and campground make this a good base for a longer basin visit.