Mile 94.4 RBD — Algiers Sandbar & Beach

John Ruskey

26 Apr 2026 � 1 min read

Great camping at low or medium water, but goes underwater in higher water levels (above 10 NO gage). With majestic views of St. Louis Cathedral, Jax Brewery, the French Quarter and all of downtown New Orleans, this perennial beach is an ideal spot to recharge your soul after a long day’s paddle. You will find dry sand here up to 10 NO gage. When the river rises above 10 you can make camp on the grassy parkland below the Algiers levee. See above description. Easy walking distance access to downtown Algiers including the Canal Street Ferry, which runs daily from 6am to 9pm. See above for details. The Old Point Bar is directly over the levee opposite Algiers Beach. Old Point Bar is a designated "dog bar," so feel free to bring your loyal companion! This beach is fairly small but big enough for 10 to 15 small tents. Be sure to pull canoes or kayaks out of the water significantly to avoid big waves from ocean-liners, freighters, and towboats. Very limited selection of firewood, so bring your own, or use your cook stove. Dozens of eating selections over the levee, and thousands more across the river via the ferry! Don't be alarmed by the sounds of chanting and stampeding early in the morning, as the local Marine base recruits use an asphalt trail on the levee to train recruits. (Mark River)

The charm of the houses over the levee runs deeper than the cute colors. Many of these houses were built in the 1800's from the lumber of decommissioned rafts, floated from the north country by river rats like you. It was a rite of passage for good Minnesota boys, good Pennsylvania boys, and good Illinois boys (including one Abraham Lincoln), to float downriver on a raft loaded with north-country wares. When they arrived to New Orleans after weeks or months of floating, they sold their wares, sold their raft, and sewed their youthful seeds to celebrate. The old-growth poplar supports the walls of these creole cottages, all throughout New Orleans. And the offspring of the good boys-turned river rats live inside. (Wolf E. Staudinger)

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