Take A Boardwalk Trail Through The Wetlands Of Black Bayou Lake In Louisiana

Boardwalk trails offer a unique glimpse into Louisiana's wetlands. They allow us to get a front-row seat and become immersed in their beauty, and luckily for us, Louisiana has plenty of boardwalk trails to explore. One of our favorite boardwalk trails is over at the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Here, there's one of the most scenic boardwalk trails in Louisiana, perfect for both a solo stroll or a family outing. Let's check it out:

Monroe’s Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most underrated hiking spots in Louisiana. Especially if you want to wander through the cypress knobs and admire one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Louisiana. There's just something about a cypress-studded view that puts a smile on your face.

Start your adventure in the visitor center, which is actually a 19th-century planter’s house that was relocated here from its original location not too far away. Next to the visitor center is the Conservation Learning Center. Here, you’ll learn a little bit about the area and see live animal exhibits. If offers a great little run-down of what’s in store for you as you get ready to take on the trails. It's a perfect place to bring the youngest generation of nature lovers, too!

There are several trails that weave throughout the reserve, including an arboretum trail and a prairie trail. If you have the time, I recommend checking them out. They are all pretty short and sweet (less than three miles) and feature a whole new side of the refuge. The trail we're focusing on today is the Black Bayou Lake Nature Trail. It's the mile-long boardwalk nature trail will take you right over the lake.

The 1,700-acre lake is just beautiful on a clear day. You can also rent a canoe from the visitor center if you want to paddle around the lake.

My favorite section of the trail is the pier. The 400-foot pier extends even further onto the lake, and it’s a great spot to do a little wildlife viewing. The vegetation on the lake can get thick at times, so look closely! You never know what critters are looking back at you.

In the warmer months, you might see alligators and turtles sunbathing on the shoreline. Birds are a pretty common sighting, especially egrets, herons, and anhingas. Alligators and turtles are common, but if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of some of the land-loving swamp critters like coyotes, skunks, or white-tailed deer.

Visit the official website for the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge to learn more. For even more boardwalk trails, pay a visit to Barataria Preserve, where you can explore over 20,000 acres of marshes and swamps from several boardwalk trails that weave throughout the preserve. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.