Shelling/Beaches

The Creole Nature Trail’s 26 miles of natural beaches are easily accessible offering a wide range of water activities. You can swim, tube, surf fish, observe shore birds, sunbath and go shelling.

They are particularly excellent for shelling. Located west of the Mississippi Delta, they are constantly replenished by the "muddy river's" southeast tidal flow which carries rich deposits of driftwood and a wide variety of shells including welks, cockles, angelwings, cateyes, olives, wentletraps, coquinas and periwinkles.

Low tide following a storm system offers prime shelling. With a little luck, you'll find a "Sea Bean" — a pod carried all the way from Central and South American forests.

For a copy of the Creole Nature Trail Shelling Guide stop by the Lake Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive in Lake Charles. The guide can also be found at various businesses along the trail or you can view it online here.