Lock No. 1 Launch to West Pearl River

Lock No. 1 Launch provides access to the Pearl River, a major river system flowing through St. Tammany Parish toward the Gulf of Mexico. This site offers a concrete ramp for launching kayaks, canoes, and motorboats. A popular section runs 6 miles downstream to the ramp under Interstate 59 on the West Pearl River. Note that construction has recently been completed on facility upgrades, including new concrete ramps and improved parking.

The Pearl River is a substantial waterway with an average flow of over 13,000 cubic feet per second and moderate current speeds averaging 3.7 feet per second. Paddlers should expect a strong, navigable major river with a gentle gradient (0.9 ft/mile average). The area is situated near Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge, which straddles Louisiana and Mississippi along the Pearl River, offering scenic paddling through protected habitat. Basic amenities are available at the launch, though visitors should confirm current facilities before arriving.