<p>I am interested in the school for academic and geographic reasons but does it have any outdoor activities?</p>
<p>Well, yes of course, but I wonder if you are thinking of specific things. For example, it is not exactly in the middle of a national forest, so that kind of hiking is a few hours away. But biking is popular, and the area is flat as a pancake. There is a lovely road along the river that, if you are into long distance bike rides, will take you past old plantations and the like. On campus of course there is all the usual stuff, and it is very important to point out there is a huge, gorgeous park across the street from Tulane, Audubon Park. AP has a golf course but also is a place to throw frisbees around, walk, and just enjoy the great New Orleans weather many days during the term. Short drives away are many bayous and lakes for water recreation, as well as sailing on Lake Pontchartrain (north edge of city). Also as you get into those parts of the state as well as a bit further north in Louisiana, you do get into camping areas as well as more wooded country the further north you go. Kisatchie National Forest is about 3 hours away, maybe a little less. So if one left after class Friday or early Saturday morning, you could get in as much as a 2 night, almost 2 day camping trip, more for a holiday weekend. There are 2 national parks also, Cane River Creole which is about 2 hours away, past Baton Rouge, and Jean Lafitte, which I think has a few locations (odd as that sounds) but the main one is only about an hour south of New Orleans in the Mississippi Delta region. However you can get information about this park at its main office in the French Quarter.</p>
<p>Anyway, it depends on what you are looking for, not sure what kind of outdoor activities you meant. With the relatively mild winters in New Orleans (there are a few cold days, this is not like southern Florida, just so you know), there is a lot centered on outdoor activities during the school term. In fact, the time to stay indoors is the summer, when the heat and humidity are brutal.</p>
<p>Funny that your name is “Onthefly.” One of the most common activities for students on Fridays and Saturdays is to go and hang out on the levee, also known as “the fly.” </p>
<p>Whatever you want to do on in terms of fun recreation can happen on the fly. They are adding 4 new baseball fields and a soccer field. Of course, you can always do whatever you want on the fly’s areas near the water. Being a Tulane student, I can safely say most of the experiences on the fly have been more about relaxation than recreation, but to each their own.</p>
<p>Hmmm, I feared the attitude would be relaxation > recreation, but fallenchemist’s post is encouraging. Do you happen to know if any fly fishing is available near campus? I’ve heard of redfish in the bayous of New Orleans and the shallows of lake ponchartrain. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>There is an Adventure Club that goes on rock climbing trips, and Reily sponsors canoeing, hiking and camping trips over some weekends.</p>
<p>I am afraid I don’t know much about fishing, but I am sure there are avid fishermen there. If there is not already a fishing club at Tulane, the university will help you start one. I know there is great bass fishing in northern Louisiana, but that’s only from happening to see something about it on TV. There might be more near New Orleans, but I am ignorant on that subject.</p>
<p>I know there are tons of Red Fish around here. Actually, there are pretty much every species of fish in/around this area. I don’t fish so I can’t give specifics but here’s a site from a local tv guy who has a fishing and cooking show. I sail a tremendous amount though and see all sorts of things. Actually our main lake is not sealed off from the Gulf entirely and is brackish water so there are fresh and salt water fish in there. I know there’s sharks and dolphins and unfortunately a few jelly fish in the lake as well. Don’t ask how I know. </p>
<p>[Frank’s</a> list of places to fish from the banks | News for New Orleans, Louisiana | Fishing | News and Weather for New Orleans | wwltv.com](<a href=“http://www.wwltv.com/sports/fishing/stories/wwl072607jbbankfishing.b3b2ff45.html]Frank’s”>http://www.wwltv.com/sports/fishing/stories/wwl072607jbbankfishing.b3b2ff45.html)</p>
<p>Keep in mind that this list is slightly old so any talk of areas too affected to fish since the hurricane will most likely be better.</p>
<p>Is the main lake you are referring to lake ponchartrain?</p>
<p>A charter nearby but it has some great photos of what’s in some of these waters, including Gators. 
[Fishing</a> Reports | Fish with the Best - Captain Scott Poche - New Orleans Fishing at its Best](<a href=“http://lafittefishing.com/fish-lafitte-with-the-best/category/fishing-reports]Fishing”>http://lafittefishing.com/fish-lafitte-with-the-best/category/fishing-reports)</p>
<p>From a fishing store in New Orleans about Fly fishing around New Orleans.
[Saltwater</a> Fly Fishing Reports | Fly Fishing Redfish | Charter Fishing Louisiana](<a href=“http://www.uptownangler.com/saltwater-fly-fishing-blog/]Saltwater”>http://www.uptownangler.com/saltwater-fly-fishing-blog/)</p>
<p>I actually pass by this store everyday on my way to work, I’ll have to go in next time. It’s near the art district and sells Orvis stuff. <a href=“http://www.uptownangler.com/new-orleans-store.html[/url]”>http://www.uptownangler.com/new-orleans-store.html</a></p>
<p>Yes, Pontchartrain is the main lake.</p>
<p>Also, the gym, Reilly, offers a whole bunch of really fun and cheap outdoor trips throughout the year that are open to students. They have hiking trips, camping, canoe trips and stuff like that. Also, I know of a lot of classes that have outdoor-related field trips and service learning elements. The final for my Natural History of LA class was a canoe trip through the bayou.</p>