Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is located in the state of Louisiana, not Wisconsin.


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Summary

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is the largest urban wildlife refuge in the United States, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The refuge serves as a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including alligators, turtles, migratory birds, and fish. It covers over 23,000 acres of marsh, swamp, and bottomland hardwood forest.

Visitors to the refuge can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and fishing. The refuge has several trails that allow visitors to explore the different ecosystems of the area. The Fishing Pier Trail offers visitors the opportunity to fish for catfish, bass, and sunfish. The Native Plant Trail features a walking path through a marsh and showcases the various native plants of the refuge.

One of the most interesting facts about Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is that it is home to the largest population of American alligators in the country. Visitors may encounter alligators while exploring the refuge, so caution is advised.

The best time to visit Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is during the fall and winter months when the weather is cooler and mosquito activity is low. However, visitors should be aware that hurricane season in Louisiana runs from June to November and may affect the refuge.

Overall, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is a unique and fascinating destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, offering a chance to explore the natural beauty and diverse wildlife of Louisiana's wetlands.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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