Want to watch alligators cruise past cypress trees while the sun sets behind Spanish moss? Lake Martin near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana is where it happens.
This 200-acre cypress swamp sits just south of Breaux Bridge in Cajun country. It’s part of the Cypress Island Nature Preserve, managed by The Nature Conservancy. You can fish from a boat launch, walk the trails, or rent a kayak for ten bucks an hour from Champagne’s Swamp Tours.
The Gator Show
Lake Martin has one of the highest alligator populations in Louisiana. People count 15 to 24 gators on a single spring afternoon. They sun themselves on logs, float in the duckweed, and patrol the waterways like they own the place — because they do.
Sunset is when things get good. Alligators are most active at dusk. The light turns golden through the cypress branches, the water glows orange, and you’ll see gators splashing as they hunt or move to new spots.
The rookery brings in over 200 species of birds. Great blue herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, and anhinga nest here. Sometimes a bald eagle shows up. In spring, baby gators hatch and stick close to their mothers.
Where to Camp
Poche’s RV Park sits about five miles north of Breaux Bridge, which puts you 15 minutes from Lake Martin. The 93-acre campground has 85 full-hookup sites, most backing up to fishing ponds. Five rental cabins accommodate different group sizes. You get a pool, splash pad, playground, and paddle boats.
Camp Margaritaville RV Resort in nearby Henderson offers 513 sites with full hookups. It’s got that beach-resort vibe with multiple pools and organized activities.
Both campgrounds offer serious sunset views over the water. You can watch the sky change colors from your campsite fire pit, then drive to Lake Martin the next morning.
What to Know
Lake Martin is free to visit. The boat launch has portable toilets but no other facilities. Champagne’s Swamp Tours operates a small store with drinks, snacks, sandwiches, and the only real bathrooms.
You can paddle your own kayak or book a guided swamp tour. Tours run from sunrise to sunset, and some operators offer private sunset cruises. The guides know where gators hang out and which trees hold active nests.
Spring through early fall gives you the best gator sightings. They need temperatures above 65 degrees to be active. March, April, and May are peak months.
Stay ten meters back from any alligator you see. They’re fast when threatened. Watch where you step on trails — gators sometimes cross paths between water sources.
The lake is open from noon to sunset during duck hunting season. Water levels run high in winter and spring, lower in summer and fall.
Getting There
From Interstate 10, take the Breaux Bridge exit. Head south on Louisiana Highway 347, then follow signs to Lake Martin Road and Rookery Road. The main boat launch and parking area is at the intersection of those two roads.
Breaux Bridge is 45 minutes from Baton Rouge, under an hour from Lafayette. The town hosts the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival every May.
You can drive Rookery Road along the lake’s edge. Pull over anywhere to spot gators from your car. Look for stopped vehicles — that’s usually where someone spotted a big one.
Lake Martin delivers on the swamp campground experience. Gators in the water, birds in the trees, sunset through the cypress. It’s accessible, affordable, and as authentic as Louisiana gets.
