Ready or not, spring has sprung! Personally, I love springtime. I get to put my gardening skills to the test, and I think we can all appreciate the lovely temperatures that spring brings. It’s just the perfect time of year to be outdoors and enjoying the season. Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge has some of the best wildflower trails in Louisiana, and now is the perfect time to jump in the car and explore the Boy Scout Road Trail.
You’ll find Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge in St. Tammany Parish, near Lacombe, Louisiana.
The refuge boasts 15,000 acres of bald cypress forests, long-leaf pine savannahs, bayous, and freshwater marsh.
It’s one of the best places to experience Louisiana’s natural landscape.
The trails are kid-friendly, so bring the whole krewe! Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to introduce the next generation to Louisiana's natural side.
The Boy Scout Road Trail is the most popular trail within the refuge, but there are other trails at Big Branch National Widlife Refuge that you may want to check out on another visit.
The trail begins with a short looping boardwalk trail before heading off into the pine savannah habitat.
At the end of the boardwalk, you have the option to take a left and head back to the parking lot or explore the four-mile path to Bayou Lacombe.
The Louisiana wild iris thrives here, and during springtime, they’ll pop up everywhere.
Especially at the beginning of the trail. These beauties usually bloom from March until April. Keep an eye out for camellias and azaleas, too!
The water lilies are my personal favorite.
These typically bloom in April.
In addition to all the beautiful blooms, it's very likely you'll spot some wildlife, too!
The refuge is home to countless critters, including hundreds of birds.
And since the temperatures are rising, alligators, turtles, and snakes will become more visible, too. Snakes tend to enjoy sunbathing on the trail, so watch your step!
The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker is often seen (or heard) here. If you're hiking the trail and hear a constant knocking, look up!
You might catch a glimpse of this woodpecker enjoying the pine savannah habitat.
And of course, where there are blooms, there are butterflies.
You'll see so many fluttering around!
Visit the official website of the Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge to learn more.
Get yourself an AllTrails + account and read on to discover some of our favorite wildflower trails in Louisiana:
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/louisiana/best-hikes-in-louisiana/
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