
A look at how the Tickfaw, Tchefuncte and Amite rivers got their names
Louisiana has one of the nation’s most active scenic river programs to protect streams that are particularly wild and beautiful. Today, 59 Louisiana rivers, creeks and bayous have been designated scenic rivers.
A number of those are in the Florida Parishes, and few are more scenic than the Tickfaw, Tchefuncte and Amite rivers. Each year, thousands of Louisianians flock there to swim, fish, ski, canoe and kayak.
Tickfaw
The Tickfaw is a fairly large river that begins in southwestern Mississippi and runs 113 miles southward to empty into Lake Maurepas. Traditionally, the name Tickfaw is said to be a corruption of the Choctaw Indian words “Tiak” (pine) and “foha” (rest or ease). This has been translated to mean “pine rest” or “rest among the pines,” which is supposedly a reference to the beautiful pine trees that line the stream.
Some researchers, however, believe Tickfaw comes from the Choctaw word “Pawticfaw,” which means “place where wild animals have shed their hair.”
Although not an official scenic river, the Natalbany River runs into the Tickfaw near its mouth at Lake Maurepas. It is another watery beauty, and its smaller size makes it especially popular for canoeing and kayaking because fewer large boats use it. Such small boats can access the stream at Springfield.
This 80-mile river also owes its name to the Choctaw Indians, although there is a difference of opinion as to its meaning. Most sources claim Natalbany derives from the Choctaw words “nita” (bear) and “abani” (to cook over a fire). But, it’s also possible that Natalbany simply means “lone bear.”
Tchefuncte
The Tchefuncte River is about 70 miles long and empties into Lake Pontchartrain. Researchers believe its name comes from the Choctaw word for chinquapin, or “Hachofakti.” Chinquapins are a type of chestnut that are native to Louisiana, although a 20th century blight nearly wiped out the trees.
Some people mistakenly believe the river is named for the Tchefuncte Indian tribe, when in fact there never was a tribe known by that name. A 2-3,000-year-old prehistoric Indian site was discovered on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain that provided a lot of information about Louisiana Indians who eked out a living hunting and fishing at that time.
Archaeologists refer to this time period as the Tchefuncte culture, but it was simply a lifestyle, not a tribe.
Amite
The Amite River begins in southwestern Mississippi and runs about 117 miles before emptying into Lake Maurepas. As with a lot of Louisiana streams, there is disagreement as to how the Amite got its name.
Some believe Amite is a corruption of the Choctaw word “hamitta,” which means “young,” while others claim it derives from the French word “amitié” or “friendship.”
Tickfaw State Park

This beautiful state park sits on the Tickfaw River and is conveniently located near the other scenic rivers. Visitors can enjoy the river in their own kayaks or canoes, or they can rent one of the park’s canoes for $25 a day. Guests can also splash in the Water Playground, walk or bicycle the park’s roadways or visit an 800-gallon aquarium filled with fish native to the Tickfaw River. For hikers, a boardwalk more than a mile long snakes through the cypress/tupelo swamp.
For those wishing to stay a few days, the park offers furnished cabins, improved campsites with water and electricity and primitive campsites with water.