Bonnet Carré Spillway Trail

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

The Spillway Trail offers a variety of terrain for mountain bikers and hikers of any experience level, from beginners looking for a scenic ride through the woods, to seasoned bikers looking for an aerobic and technical challenge.

Type of Ride:
This is a tight and twisty singletrack that runs over riverbed clay and has some sandy sections. The trail also has numerous features including bridges and berms. Despite all the technical features, the trail is very beginner friendly, and the features all have bypasses.

Length:
One complete loop is approximately six miles despite what the GPS track may show. The trail winds around a lot and the track does not necessarily show very much detail. Directional arrows, trail names, and mileage signage are posted for trail reference and is intended to direct the rider in a CLOCKWISE direction.

Trail Description:
Many of the names referred to here are not distinct trails, but rather section of the same trail. They will become obvious as you ride them.

Beginning at the trailhead bulletin board (to the right of the park entrance near the front pond) you'll ride through the "Headless Horse" into "Freesons" and the large pipeline right-of-way. These sections are smooth, straight, and easy riding. All of the bridges are wide and easy to cross and are made of wood and metal grating. Soon you'll enter the "Wookie Wiggle” a fun section of trail that twists around, taking advantage of the terrain. Into the "Zephr" and "G.A.Z.Z." you'll experience tight and twisty roller coaster riding. Cross a short wooden bridge to "Seinfeld" then "5 Minutes Alone”; these sections are relatively smooth, straight, and fast.

Pass the turn-around about 2.3 miles in, and as you head into 'Up-Chuck" the trail becomes more technical. Beware of Indiana Jones warning into "South Canada" where you'll find a series of berms in a section of fast and fun turns. After you spot the Spillway Trail gnome, head into "W.D.D.A.M.F." & "Rat Tail” which contain more twisty, rolling trail as well as berms and flowy sections. Soon you'll be in the spooky "Ghost Trail" where you may encounter the unknown... You'll finish in the short section of "Chu-Chut" to the "FF Connection" which will take you to the levee climb. Follow the limestone road back to the park and trailhead.

Events:
There are several events held here every year. NOMAMBO hosts the annual cross country race, the Spillway Scramble, which is sanctioned by USA Cycling and part of the Gulf South Regional Mountain Bike Series.

NOMAMBO also hosts the night time race affectionately called Race of the Dead. The Race of the Dead has become a Halloween tradition at the trail with sections of "haunted trail" where you never know what to expect.