Summary
It was established in 1992 to preserve the bottomland hardwood forest and provide habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Some good reasons to visit the refuge include hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. There are specific points of interest to see, such as the Observation Tower, which provides a bird's-eye view of the refuge, and the Bayou Cocodrie Paddle Trail, which allows visitors to explore the bayou by canoe or kayak. Interesting facts about the area include the fact that it is home to over 200 species of birds, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, and that it contains the largest contiguous tract of bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. The best time of year to visit is during the fall and winter months when migratory birds are present and the weather is cool and comfortable.
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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.
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