Amazing wildlife viewing is waiting at Louisiana’s Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge

The Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge is located deep in southeastern Louisiana near Houma. The refuge is not visited by a ton of people, but those that make the trip are greeted with fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. It’s only a little over an hour from New Orleans and still an easy drive from Lafayette or Baton Rouge.

The far majority of the more than 4,000-acre refuge can only be accessed by boat.  The 0.75-mile Mandalay Nature Trail is an elevated boardwalk trail that is definitely worth your time. The trail takes hikers through a heavily vegetated wetland that is packed with wildlife on its way to an observation point at the end of the trail. When you get there, watch for alligators, shorebirds and waterfowl.

Birding at Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge

Bird watching is another reason folks visit the refuge. The refuge provides a variety of habitats for nearly 200 species of birds. The marshes are key feeding and resting places for waterfowl traveling the Mississippi Flyway.  Bald Eagles are often spotted foraging along refuge waterways and marshes from October through May.  Keep an eye peeled for eagle’s massive nests in large cypress trees. Lake Hatch is popular with anglers. You can catch bass, crappie, bream, and catfish.

A visit to Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge is a great way to spend a day getting away from the busy cities and connecting with the wild side of the Bayou State.