Shangri La’s southwest boundary is formed by Adams Bayou. The headwaters of the bayou are northwest of Orange in Mauriceville. The bayou twists and turns for approximately 15 miles before flowing into the Sabine River. It has been used to provide water for irrigation and power for sawmills. Adams Bayou is crossed by several highways and railroads, including Interstate 10, Highway 90, and the Sabine River and Northern Railroad. The Adams Bayou watershed covers approximately 51 square miles and includes portions of the cities of Orange, West Orange, Pinehurst, and Mauriceville.
Adams Bayou is an ecosystem teeming with wildlife. Beneath the water you will find several species of gar, mullet, shad, catfish, bass, bluegill, and many more. Flying over the water are osprey, belted kingfishers, several species of egrets and herons, white ibises, cormorants, an occasional bald eagle, and so much more. Turtles are regularly seen sunning on logs at the bayou’s edge and snakes can be spied crossing the slow-moving bayou. The occasional alligator, beaver, or otter can also be spotted if you’re lucky.
With an average depth of 10-15 feet, Adams Bayou is a public waterway that is open to small boats for fishing and other low-speed recreational activities. Even so, the best way to take in the sights and sounds of this enticing waterway is by taking one of Shangri La’s guided Outpost Tours.