Joyce Wildlife Management Area

The Joyce Wildlife Management Area offers boat access to a vast 27,487-acre preserve of marshes and swamps south of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. The I-55 canal access point provides entry to this expansive ecosystem, though paddlers should note that outboard motor use is limited to the upper reaches of Middle and Black Bayous, the Tangipahoa River, and Bedico Creek. Additional nearby launch points include North Pass at U.S. Highway 51, Lee's Landing, and Traino Landing (south of LA Highway 22) for those exploring different sections of the WMA.

This is primarily a boat-accessible preserve, making it ideal for kayakers and canoeists seeking to explore Louisiana's natural wetland environment. The area is managed as a wildlife management area, so paddlers should be aware of hunting seasons and obtain necessary permits through self-clearing permit stations located throughout the WMA. Water conditions typical of coastal Louisiana marshes and bayous should be expected, with variable water levels and tidal influences. For those interested in a non-paddling experience, a scenic boardwalk at the northwestern corner of the preserve offers foot access to the landscape.