Summary
Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge is a vast wetland with a unique ecosystem that is home to a variety of wildlife species, including alligators, black bears, and migratory birds. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, hiking, fishing, and hunting activities. Specific points of interest include the Lacassine Pool Boardwalk, the Blue Goose Trail, and the Willow Island Observation Deck.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was established in 1937 as a refuge for migratory birds and has since expanded to include protecting other wildlife species. The refuge is also part of the Chenier Plain Coastal Prairie, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the United States.
The best time of year to visit the refuge is during the fall and winter months when migratory birds are present, and the weather is milder. However, visitors should also be aware that the area is subject to hurricane season, which runs from June to November.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References