Old Fort Bayou Paddle - North From The Shed BBQ (Ocean Springs, MS)

It's probably safe to say that most paddlers around here know of Old Fort Bayou because of the annual Battle on the Bayou paddle race. This is a race based in the Gulf Hills area of Ocean Springs, and its route feels like a typical coastal bayou, with marsh grass on both sides, and a lot of exposure to the wind. And, it is very much affected by the tides. This is also what people see as they cross over Old Fort Bayou in the residential and commercial areas of Ocean Springs.

However, north of I-10 Old Fort Bayou starts to narrow, and then gets more and more wooded and sheltered. This post is about paddling this northern section of Old Fort Bayou and Fort Bayou Creek, starting and finishing at The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint. This route goes north from The Shed, and is an out-and-back.

Here's a link to The Shed:

The Shed Launch

The actual route, as recorded by my Garmin.

Yes, The Shed is a part of the plan: We get to eat really good BBQ within minutes of finishing our trip. And, they do have really good beer too, by the way. 

It's really quite stark how much more wooded this route is than the southern part of the bayou, with beautiful blooming magnolias, wisteria, wild roses, amazing azaleas, and more(March and April are beautiful here) draping over the water's edge. Again, because the lower two-thirds of Old Fort Bayou is marsh grass and power boats, and home to one of the largest kayaking events in the area, I don't think many people realize how beautiful the northern end of the bayou/creek is. I don't think we've ever passed another paddler out here.

Just a slight current as we headed out

There are a lot of sandy landing spots along the way, some clearly private property, and some unmarked.

It narrows as you head north, and becomes much more sheltered. We may pass one or two fisherman within the first  mile or two. 

Our trips are usually just over 8 miles, and we basically turn around when the overhanging branches get a little too thick, and when our long sea kayaks become too long for the obstacles: logs, overhangs, curves, narrow spots...

This is a very pleasant paddle, which at times feels like an easy river, and at others like a very still bayou. Almost any decent 12'-17' kayak or good canoe would be appropriate for this trip.

Old Fort Bayou is affected by the tides, and I've definitely felt the current when I've paddled south of The Shed. On this northern stretch, however, the slight current, if any, disappears before too long. Really, the wind is as likely to be a factor as tidal flow. As the bayou turns and winds north, it becomes more and more still and coffee-colored. 

Since this is an out-and-back, this route is pretty simple to follow. There are some detours you could explore along the way, but really, there are only two real forks, or decisions to make regarding your route: Right around the first 1/2 mile, there's a pretty distinct fork, but the right-hand option is just a short cul de sac--perhaps a tenth of a mile. Then, between 3 and 3 1/2 miles,   there will be a left or right option, with the right option being a good bit narrower. On the maps, this right option is actually listed as Old Fort Bayou, and the left option is listed as Fort Bayou Creek.

There is usually distinctly orange or caramel color to the water on this little section to the right:

Same spot, but on the return trip (so it's on the left):

The right hand option at the fork

In the picture below, the water was a little low, and this little stretch of Old Fort Bayou to the right was beautiful, but shallow, and not really the right place for a 17' sea kayak. But, this would make an excellent lunch spot with lots of sand, shade, and clear, cool water:

The Fort Bayou Creek option to the left has always been clear for another mile or so before we turn around.

Continuing along Fort Bayou Creek, after the fork.

After the fork, Fort Bayou Creek gets even prettier, with more trees leaning across the water, much more shade, and (at least in spring) the smell of flowers and the sound of birds is constant. I believe sweet olive was the smell of the day on our March 2020 trip, and the surface of the water was lightly coated with tiny white flower petals: 

But, 4 miles seems to be about as far as we ever get before deciding to turn around:

We certainly could've gotten out and gone past the log in the above picture, but 8 miles was perfect for us on this day.

Launch info:

There is a public boat launch right behind The Shed, but just beyond the large parking area, to the north and west, is a nice dirt kayak/canoe launch. It's at the end of the long wooden dock that extends from the end of the restaurant, upstream a bit. I actually didn't know about this dirt launch until someone from The Shed came over and told us, right before we launched from the concrete launch. Here's a snip of a Google satellite view of this area:

https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4483774,-88.7203801,137m/data=!3m1!1e3

***NOTE***In March of 2020, we came back to do this paddle for the first time in 2 or 3 years, and a small boathouse belonging to The Shed was moored to the end of their dock, partially blocking this dirt launch.  We were still able to launch and go around it, but it did make the launch spot less obvious. Update to this update: A few weeks later, this launch spot was overgrown, still blocked by the boat house, and inaccessible. We launched from the main, concrete launch alongside the restaurant. 2020, of course, was a year like no other, with the pandemic and shutdowns, and I'm hopeful this launch gets re-established in the future. I'll keep this post updated as I can. Meanwhile, the main concrete launch is still good.

 

That's about it. I'll finish by saying this really is a peaceful paddle that's very beautiful when spring flowers are blooming--March through May.  Enjoy the paddle, then the BBQ afterwards!