A Day at Black Bayou Lake
Swamps, Alligators, and Cypress Knees
We were ready for a day to be entirely surrounded by nature. So we headed to the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, one of Louisiana’s 23 national wildlife refuges. The first refuge for migratory birds was established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 at Pelican Island in Florida.
The Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1997. Much of the Refuge is located on former agricultural land. Volunteers planted various trees, including many native pre-farming species, back. Today, the visitor center, a restored planter’s house, is a reminder of the 100+ years of cotton farming.
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We packed our backpacks with insect repellent in case we needed it in Louisiana’s swamps. Due to the heavy rains the last few days, parts of the trails were flooded. Since alligators were hiding in the swamps, we did not dare wade through the water to continue! However, we still got a great impression of this beautiful area with its swamps, cypress knees, and bayou.
DateS
Monday, May 6, 2024
Distance
3.78 miles
Moving Time
1:22:30 hours
WEATHER
82 °F, cloudy, gentle breeze