Motorcycle Trails

Celebrate 50 years of the iconic movie, Easy Rider© (1969) that starred Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson. This low budget counterculture film follows Billy (Dennis Hopper) and Wyatt (Peter Fonda) on a journey from California to Louisiana for Mardi Gras. The movie was a smash hit as social norms were changing. There are numerous scenes from St. Mary Parish. Interestingly, as Wyatt, Billy and George are on their way to New Orleans, the film was edited east to west instead of west to east which would have been the correct path to New Orleans.

See the locations below, download the complete trail map, cue up the soundtrack, and plan your trip Easy Ridin' on the Cajun Coast!

Film Locations

• FRANKLIN CEMETERY, 1202 Main Street, Franklin, Louisiana, 2948’01”N, 9130’04”W The Franklin Cemetery has been the final resting place for many Franklin residents since the 1830’s and includes two Louisiana governors, a US Senator, a professional wrestler, professional football player and over 30 confederate soldiers.
• FRANKLIN MAIN STREET, BEN FRANKLIN STORE (CHIC & SHABBY), 716 Main Street, Franklin, Louisiana, 29°47’35”N,91°30’03”W You’ll notice in the film that the American Flag was upside down. This was most likely intentional. An upside-down flag means dire distress. It was probably a commentary on America as a result of the changing social norms.
• ST. MARY PARISH COURTHOUSE, 500 Main Street, Franklin, Louisiana, 29°47’28”N, 91°30’01”W During the filming, the “new” courthouse was being built and can be seen in the background. The beautiful 1800 courthouse and jail were torn down in effort to be “progressive.” The demolition of the courthouse was the impetus for historic preservation in the City of Franklin.
• PALFREY HOUSE, 200 East Main Street, Franklin, Louisiana, 29°47’16”N, 91°29’55”W Featuring Temple of the Winds capitals on its fluted columns, Palfrey House was built in 1851 by Governor Joshua Baker for his daughter Frannie. (Private)
• ICE SIGN, Gates Drive, 29°47’38”N,91°29’58”W The Ice Sign was once on Franklin Main Street under a canopy of live oak trees. Notice it as Wyatt, Billy and George ride through town.
• ARLINGTON PLANTATION, 11532 Highway 182, Franklin, Louisiana, 29°46’46”N,91°28’38”W Arlington Plantation House and Gardens is a majestic neoclassical sugar cane plantation built in the 1830s by the Carlin family. Standing along the serene banks of the Bayou Teche, it has often been referred to as an architectural and structural masterpiece. (Public)
• ALICE C PLANTATION, 10736 Highway 182, Franklin, Louisiana, 29° 46.141”N, 091° 28’650”W Alice C reflects eastern seaboard influences and was built by Jotham Bedell. Named by John Calder, a subsequent owner, for his wife, Alice. (Private)
• THE GARDEN CITY POST OFFICE 10400 E Main Street, Garden City, Louisiana, 29°45’56”N, 91°27’44”W The Garden City Post Office was originally the Hanson Lumber Company Office and is now a private home. The building was placed on the National Register of historic places in 1993. (Private)
• THE MORGAN CITY BRIDGE, 29°41’ 47”N, 91°12’53”W, The Long-Allen Bridge crosses over the Atchafalaya River, the largest tributary of the Mississippi River. It would have been the only bridge over the Atchafalaya River at the time of the filming. The bridge is seen after Wyatt and Billy leave New Orleans.
• AMELIA BRIDGE 29°39’42” N, 91°5’59”W, The Amelia Bridge crosses Bayou Boeuf. You see Wyatt and Billy crossing the bridge during an industrial time for McDermott International. Industrial scenes of Amelia are interwoven including Greenwood Overpass

Easy Riding Soundtrack - Listen on Spotify

• The Pusher - Steppenwolf
• Born to Be Wild - Steppenwolf
• Wasn’t Born to Follow - The Byrds
• The Weight – The Band
• Flash, Bam, Pow – Electric Flag
• Kyrie Eleison – The Electric Prunes
• It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – Roger McGuinn
• If 6 Was 9 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
• Don’t Bogart Me – Fraternity of Man
• If You Want to be a Bird – The Holy Modal Rounders
• Ballad of Easy Rider – Roger McGuin