The state marks 30 primitive campsites around the Basin

The state Department of Natural Resources’ Atchafalaya Basin Program (ABP) has designated 30 primitive camping sites on state-owned property in the Atchafalaya Basin for use by the public.

Nearly half of the sites, 14, are in St. Martin Parish. Iberville has 10 and St. Mary six.

To help promote the use of the campsites, the department is offering a “I Went Wild in the Atchafalaya” souvenir cap to the first 12 campers to visit any one of the new sites. Participants should send a photo of their camping experience along with their contact information to Atchafalaya@la.gov or call 225-342-6437.

Each of the campsites is designated with a four-foot metal post marked “PC” for primitive camp along with the campsite’s number.

APB director Don Haydel said all of the location details, including a Google Earth view, can be found at www.dothewildthing.dnr.la.gov.

“These Atchafalaya Basin Camp Sites have been located on state land, however, if someone disputes the ownership of where you’re camping, it’s best to relocate and notify us of the problem,”cautions the web site.

“While these primitive campsites are located on state-owned property, much of the Atchafalaya Basin is privately owned.”

DNR Secretary Stephen Chustz said the project has come together with the help of local and state agencies answering the call for this type of naturalist experience in the Basin.

“The state’s Atchafalaya Basin program works in a collaborative way, planning and implementing projects so that our residents and visitors can come out and enjoy the Atchafalaya Experience,” Chustz said.

The Atchafalaya Basin is America’s largest river swamp, spanning eight parishes and over 800,000 acres.