Lafayette Travel and the Bayou Vermilion District have partnered to create the Vermilion Voyage on March 22-25, a three-day overnight paddle down the Bayou Vermilion launching from the Acadiana Park Nature Station to Palmetto Island State Park.
Fifty participants will have the rare opportunity to consecutively paddle just over 50 miles through Lafayette and Vermilion Parishes. The itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 – Nature Station to Southside Park | 21.52 miles
The event will launch from the Acadiana Park Nature Station on March 22. Participants will park their cars at Vermilionville at 7 a.m. and will be transported in groups by shuttle to the Nature Station. Paddlers will launch from the Nature Station around 8 a.m. and will stop for lunch at Vermilionville. There will also be an opportunity for a brief guided tour of the village and watershed exhibit. Overnight will be at Southside Park where primitive camping will be available with access to electricity, bathrooms and water. There will be an outdoor movie screening as well as dinner.
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 mid-way point where we also take an extended break to explore. Overnight will be at the Richard’s Sale Barn where primitive camping will be made available with minimal access to electricity. There will be live music in a historic cattle auction barn as well as dinner.
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 8 a.m. Paddlers will break for lunch around the mid-way point where we also take an extended break to explore. Overnight will be at Palmetto Island State Park where primitive camping will be made available with access to electricity, bathrooms and water. There will be live music as well as dinner. There will also be an optional paddle through Palmetto’s canoe trail.
Day 4 – Return to Bayou Vermilion District
Paddlers will be picked up on the fourth day at Palmetto Island and transported back to their car at Vermilionville along with their gear. Paddlers wishing to leave Saturday night must make their own arrangements.
Registration for the event is $300 and includes paddle craft, life jacket, guide, shuttle service, insurance costs, breakfast, lunch and dinner with some beverages as well as evening entertainment. For registration and further information please visit VermilionVoyage.Eventbrite.com.
For questions or to register by phone, contact Jesse Guidry at jesse@lafayettetravel.com or call 337-769.3816.
