New Vermilion Voyage: Paddle 50 Miles of Vermilion River

LAFAYETTE, La – Lafayette Travel and the Bayou Vermilion District partnered to host the Vermilion Voyage, a three-day overnight paddle down the Bayou Vermilion, from March 20-22. 

The voyage will begin at the Acadiana Park Nature Station and end at Palmetto Island State Park.

Participants will have the opportunity to paddle consecutively just over 50 miles of the Vermilion River through Lafayette and Vermilion Parishes.

Registration for the event is $400 and includes paddle craft, life jacket, guide, shuttle service, insurance costs, gear transport, breakfast, lunch and dinner with some beverages and evening entertainment.

Please note that while this voyage is considered a Class I (paddler is familiar with basic strokes and can handle a tandem canoe competently in flat water), please take into consideration the daily mileage.

Vermilion Voyage Itinerary

Day 1 – Nature Station to Southside Park | 21.52 miles

• The event will launch from the Acadiana Park Nature Station on Friday, March 20. Participants will park their cars at Vermilionville at 7 a.m., where they will be provided breakfast before being transported by shuttle to the Nature Station.
• Paddlers will launch from the Nature Station around 8 a.m. and stop for lunch at Vermilionville’s La Cuisine de Maman. There will also be an opportunity for a brief guided tour of the historic village and watershed exhibit.
• Overnight will be at Southside Park, where primitive camping will be available with access to electricity, bathrooms and water. Dinner will be provided.

Day 2 – Southside Park to Richards Sales Barn | 17.38 miles

• The second day will start with a grab-and-go breakfast launching from Southside Park at 8 a.m.
• Paddlers will break for lunch around the midway point with an extended break to explore.
• The overnight will be at the Richard Sale Barn, where primitive camping will be made available with minimal access to electricity. Dinner will be provided. 

Day 3 – Richard’s Sales Barn to Palmetto Island State Park | 11.68 miles

• The third day will start with a grab-and-go breakfast launching from Richard’s Sale Barn at 7 a.m.
• Paddlers will break for lunch around the midway point with an extended break to explore.
• Paddlers will finish at Palmetto Island State Park with access to electricity, bathrooms and water. Dinner will be provided while the gear is being loaded

Registration details and more information available online.