Complete Guide to the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi, including things to do, history, nearby lodging and camping, directions, and so much more.
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
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🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
A quick 45-minute drive North of New Orleans, Louisiana, lies Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.
Half the adventure is getting there when you drive the 23.83-mile-long Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the world's longest continuous bridge over water! We loved seeing all the pelicans flying around as we continued North towards the refuge!
The refuge itself is almost 19,000 acres, filled with numerous natural habitat types, including bald-tupelo forest, hardwood forest hammocks, lake shorelines, and longleaf pine savannahs.
This much diversity also provides opportunities to see numerous species of wildlife and birds, including the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
They have a top-notch visitor center that highlights the region's eight wildlife refuges. If that's not enough, the visitor center area is also home to a historic botanical garden with two miles of trails.
Things to know before you visit Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Entrance fee
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge does not charge an entrance fee! If you plan on visiting numerous sites on a National Park trip, you may consider buying an America the Beautiful/National Park Pass before your trip.
Duck Stamp - $25.00
Federal Duck Stamps are valid for 1 year, July 1 to June 30, at all National Wildlife Refuges.
The Federal Duck Stamp is so much more than just a hunting stamp. They cover the admittance fee to National Wildlife Refuges, as well as being required for Migratory Bird Hunters (primarily duck and goose hunters). They are also collectible works of art and an easy way for everyone to help support wetland conservation.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge Map
Refuge Information
Time Zone - Central Standard Time
Size - Over 18,000 acres
Date Established: 1994
Phone Number
(985)882-2000
Address
61389 Highway 434
Lacombe, LA 70445
Pets - Yes, pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under control.
Cell Service - We had cellular service with T-Mobile
Hours - Refuges are closed from legal sunset to legal sunrise, except as otherwise noted for fishing, hunting, or camping access.
With the exception of legal nighttime hunting activities, refuge hunting hours are ½ hour before legal sunrise to ½ hour after legal sunset.
Wi-Fi Available - NO
Food/Restaurants
There are no restaurants in the refuge; however, there are numerous restaurants in the surrounding area.
Gas
There are no gas stations in the refuge; however, there are several gas stations in the surrounding area.
May I fly a Drone on a National Wildlife Refuge?
No. Launching, landing, or disturbing wildlife by aircraft (drones) on National Wildlife Refuges is prohibited by law - Code of Federal Regulations Title 50 Part 27 Sections 34 and 51 (50 CFR 27.34/51).
Electric Vehicle Charging
There are no EV charging stations in the refuge, but there are three charging stations nearby. Click here for a map of EV charging locations.
Don't forget to Pack these Items
Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!
Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!
Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.
Getting to Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Estimated Distance from Major Cities
New Orleans, Louisiana - 48 miles, 46 minutes
Closest Airports
International Airports
Lewis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) - 45 miles, 55 minutes
Weather and Seasons
New Orleans, Louisiana, experiences long, hot, muggy summers and cold but short winters.
The hottest weather in New Orleans is from May 19th to September 22nd, when the average daily temperature is above 87 degrees.
The coldest weather is from November 29th to February 24th, when the average daily temperature is below 69 degrees.
Things to Do at Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Southeast Louisiana Refuges Visitor Center
This is perhaps the largest and most informative Visitor Center I have visited among all the National Wildlife Refuges I have visited. There were numerous displays, informative content, and a very helpful staff to assist you in planning your visit. I would highly recommend stopping here first to plan your visit to the refuge.
Birding/Wildlife Viewing
Big Branch Marsh is a great place to go birdwatching! There are several different habitats for a wide variety of birds and hosts more than 200 species of neotropical migrants (birds that spend their summers in North America and winter in Central or South America or the Caribbean) and supports over 5,000 wintering waterfowl.
There's even a possibility that you can see the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker along the Boy Scout Road Trail!
Click here for a Big Branch Marsh NWR Bird Checklist.
Hiking
The Camelia Trail is an easy half-mile trail that begins near the kiosk at the Southwest Louisiana Visitor Center. The trail winds its way past an artisanal spring and a small wetland, marked with yellow markers.
Boy Scout Road Boardwalk Trail is an easy 0.45-mile loop with interpretive signs that highlight the natural history and provide an overlook of the marsh.
Boy Scout Road Trail is either an easy 2.28-mile loop trail, including the Boy Scout Road Interpretative Trail, or a four-mile out-and-back trail that takes you through the Pine Savannah Habitat. Make sure to be on the lookout for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in the spring and fall!
The Lemieux Environmental Trail is an easy .45 mile loop that winds through the forest and has an elevated platform that overlooks the marsh.
Hunting and Fishing
Both hunting and fishing are permitted within the wildlife refuge, subject to regulations outlined in the refuge's hunting and fishing brochure.
The refuge does not have a designated auto tour, but you can easily drive the Lake Road to its end, offering a fantastic view of Lake Pontchartrain. On a clear day, you can see the New Orleans skyline! Also, be sure to watch for wildlife, including alligators, otters, raccoons, deer, and several species of birds.
New Orleans Area Tours & Attractions
Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours
⭐️ Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 90 minutes | 🐊 Check Rates and Availability
Get your cameras ready as you experience the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park on a shaded pontoon boat on the calm waters of the Louisiana Bayou.
Your knowledgeable tour guide is someone who was born and raised on the bayou and can tell you about the area's wildlife, including alligators, nutria, egrets, eagles, and many other animals that call the swamp home. You will also learn about the swamp ecosystem and all of its mysterious lore.
Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Lunch Option
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 Hours | 🛥️ Check Rates and Availability
Journey back in time on a two-hour jazz cruise aboard the famous Sternwheeler Steamboat Natchez on the Mighty Mississippi River! You can also add an optional Creole Lunch to your cruise.
New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2 hours | 🍳 Check Rates and Availability
Me and my wife took a cooking class in New Orleans and LOVED IT! The tour was very educational and picked up great cooking tips. We also tasted great Creole dishes and we got copies of the recipies to take home!
Lodging Options
Dauphine Orleans Hotel - The Dauphine is a beautiful hotel centrally located in the heart of New Orleans and within walking distance to Bourbon Street, Canal Street, and numerous other restaurants and activities. The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, free WI-FI, and valet parking is available.
Click here to book/learn more about the Dauphine Orleans Hotel.
The Saint Hotel - Located on Canal Street with walking distance Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, The Saint Hotel is a a luxury boutique hotel with very nice rooms, and the suite rooms are fantastic! They also had one of the softest beds I have ever slept in at a hotel, and the Burgundy Bar served great cocktails. They also offer free WI-FI, valet parking, a restaurant, and more!
Click here to book/ Learn more about the Saint Hotel
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel - A beautiful hotel conveniently located on Canal Street near the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. They have a 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar and restaurant on site, valet parking, and is pet friendly.
Click here to book/ learn more about the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans - Bourbon Street and Caesars Superdome are located near The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, which provides a grocery/convenience store, a terrace, and a coffee shop/café. Treat yourself to a hot stone massage, a manicure/pedicure, or a body treatment at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, the onsite spa. The onsite restaurant, M Bistro, features brunch. Free Wi-Fi in public areas is available to all guests, along with a garden and a library.
Click here to book/ learn more about the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans.
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge Camping
There is no camping available in the refuge, but there are several lodging options and private campgrounds nearby.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Resources
The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crucade for America
This is a great book that centers on Roosevelt's conservation efforts and his role in establishing the Wildlife Refuge system.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This book provides an in-depth coverage of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Federal Agency that manages the National Wildlife Refuge System, protects endangered species, and conducts fish and wildlife research.
Blue Goose Passport Book
The Blue Goose Passport is named after the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System and is designed to record your visits to National Wildlife Refuges.
America's National Wildlife Refuges: A Complete Guide
An all-in-one guide to more than 500 sites in the National Wildlife Refuge System. This book lists each refuge alphabetically by state, providing basic information about accessibility, facilities, and habitat types.
Additional National Wildlife Refuge Articles
St Marks National Wildlife Refuge - St Marks, Florida
Bon Secor NWR - Gulf Shores, Alabama
Grand Bay NWR - Grand Bay, AL
Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR - Gautier, Mississippi
Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR- New Orleans, Louisiana
Cameron Prairie NWR - Bell City, Louisiana
Check out all of the Louisiana National Parks along with National Parks in Texas, Mississippi National Parks, and Arkansas National Parks
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