When it comes to state parks near New Orleans, few can hold a candle to Fontainebleau State Park. Clocking in at 2,800 acres, this slice of paradise on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain is a picture-perfect park with beautiful trails weaving all throughout the park. The Sugar Mill Nature Trail is a quick and easy trail that’s less than 1.5 miles long, but it’s filled with stunning scenery and even a neat little history lesson.

Fontainebleau State Park has been a favorite spot for nature lovers since it opened in 1942.
Kelsey Moore/Google
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be met with stunning scenery. Just the drive in alone will make you think you’ve stumbled into Audubon Park as you make your way underneath the canopies of ancient oaks.
Andreas Marozsi/Google
The beach is always a popular spot for locals looking to beat that summer heat.
Sang Gi Seo/Google
Fontainebleau is a park with a past.
Shara Gremillion/All Trails
The area was once owned by Mandeville founder Bernard de Marigny who owned and operated a sugar mill on the property.
Cissy B./Google
And while Mother Nature is slowly reclaiming Her territory, you can still view what's left of the mill when you take the Sugar Mill Nature Trail.
Stephen K./Google
The trail is just shy of 1.5 miles, and it'll take you throughout the park's beautiful landscape, including around the sugar mill.
Sean Hurly/All Trails

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Keep your eyes peeled along the trail, you never know who (or what) else may be using it!
Nick Garrett/Google
The park is home to countless deer and hogs, so if you venture out early in the morning or in the evenings, you might just catch some wildlife.
As you wander along the trail, you'll have the opportunity to veer off onto the Alligator Marsh Boardwalk Trail...
Trent Hill/All Trails
...this boardwalk trail is a brief but beautiful march through the marsh.
Zivile JG/All Trails
At the end of the boardwalk, you'll have some sensational marsh views.
Lisa Thiel-Wood/All Trails
On a clear day, you can see for miles!
Fernada Kirk/All Trails
And you'll be surrounded by marsh views everywhere you look along the boardwalk.
Fontainebleau State Park/Facebook
You might even spot a gator or two lounging around.
Fontainebleau State Park/Facebook
This one has chosen a dragonfly as a hat, and we love it.
It's a great little spot to spend some time just watching the water and listening to the symphony of sounds from the surrounding swamps and marshes.
Zivile JG/All Trails

You may end up loving your time so much that you’d like to extend your stay! The waterfront cabins are a great spot for a weekend getaway. Be sure to check out their website and give them a follow on Facebook so you can stay up to date on the latest information!

Have you ever visited Fontainebleau State Park? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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Featured Addresses
Fontainebleau State Park, 62883 LA-1089, Mandeville, LA 70448, USA