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| Home > Louisiana > Bonnet Carre |
Bonnet Carre Spillway
Saturday, December 23, 2023
| Other Names | St. Charles Parish, Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrain, Spillway Levee, Barbars Canal Road, Bonnie Carrie Spillway |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This offroad area has about 850 acres of motorized trails, play areas and a couple makeshift motocross tracks that are open to ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes. The trails mainly consists of sand and clay but can get very muddy during wet weather. Most of the trails are smooth and fast but there are some sections in the wooded area that are rough and rugged.
There is no fee charged to park or ride but the staging area is open for day use only. The staging area has a large flat gravel parking area and a few vault toilets but no shade or water. Camping is permitted across the street at St. Charles Parish Recreation Pavilion Area, but reservations are required. Due to the unique landscape, some scenes from True Detective starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson was filmed around here.
The trails are open daily year-round but is prone to flooding and may close temporarily on short notice. For current conditions check with the US Army Corps of Engineers before heading out.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | No | |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Unknown | |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (90 dB) | |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | No Restriction | |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
 Four Wheelers | Permitted | |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) Permitted at the St. Charles Parish Recreation Pavilion Area |
 Campfires | ||
| Night Riding | No | |
| Alcohol | Prohibited | |
| Rule Enforcement |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 850 acres (1 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 20 | |
| Climate Type | Swamp | |
| Elevation | 0 to 20 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Unknown | |
| Loose Dirt |  Little | |
| Hard Pack | Little | |
| Sand |  Some | |
| Mud |  Mostly | |
| Dust | Little | |
| Rocks | Little | |
| Trees |  Few | |
| Steep Hills |  None | |
| Water Crossings | Some | |
| Small Jumps | Few | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Some | |
 Amateur | Mostly | |
 Expert | Little |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails, MX Track |
| Land | Army Corps of Engineers |
| Features | Public |
| Max Engine Size | No Maximum |
| Min Engine Size | No Minimum |
| Features | Public |
| Max Engine Size | No Maximum |
| Min Engine Size | No Minimum |
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 1-5 Miles (SE) | Big River Food & Fuel (985) 764-0434 |
| Diesel | 1-5 Miles (SE) | Big River Food & Fuel (985) 764-0434 |
 Water | 1-5 Miles (W) | Nicholas RV Park (985) 783-6905 |
 RV Hookup | 1-5 Miles (W) | Nicholas RV Park (985) 783-6905 |
 RV Disposal | 1-5 Miles (W) | Nicholas RV Park (985) 783-6905 |
| Campground | On Site | St. Charles Parish Parks & Recreation (985) 783-5090 |
 Conv Store | 1-5 Miles (SE) | Big River Food & Fuel (985) 764-0434 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None)camping permit required |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Norco, LA | ||
| From: New Orleans, LA
1) Take I-10 West to Exit 220 2) Merge onto I-310, continue 2.9 miles to Exit 2 3) Merge onto US-61/Airline Highway, continue about 6 miles 4) Turn left (west) onto Spillway Levee Road then veer right at fork, follow toward staging area. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | US Army Corps of Engineers - New Orleans District 16302 River Road Norco, LA 70079 (985) 764-7484 (985) 764-0126 bonnetcarre@usace.army.mil www.mvn.usace.army.mil |
| Contact Info | St. Charles Parish Parks And Recreation (985) 783-5090 www.scpparksandrec.com |
| Comment | contact info for camping permit |
Bonnet Carre OHV Area Photo
Photo Submitted 12/14/2013 (Thanks!)
Bonnet Carre OHV Area Photo
Photo Submitted 12/14/2013 (Thanks!)
Bonnet Carre OHV Area Photo
Photo Submitted 12/14/2013 (Thanks!)
Bonnet Carre OHV Area Photo
Photo Submitted 7/29/2013 (Thanks!)
Bonnet Carre OHV Area Photo
Photo Submitted 12/14/2013 (Thanks!)
Bonnet Carre OHV Area Photo
Photo Submitted 11/15/2013 (Thanks!)
Bonnet Carre OHV Area Photo
Photo Submitted 3/20/2015 (Thanks!)
Bonnet Carre OHV Area Photo
Photo Submitted 11/12/2013 (Thanks!)
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS