Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge

Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area with freshwater and brackish marshes, prairie grasslands, and former rice fields southeast of Lake Charles. Multiple sections of the refuge offer different habitats where waterfowl, wading birds, and other animals find food and shelter.

The refuge was created in 1988 to protect migratory birds and their habitats. It became the first of its kind under an international agreement focused on safeguarding waterfowl populations.

The visitor center displays information about the animals and plants that thrive in this wetland, along with stories about how people have lived and worked in these marshes. You can learn how locals depend on and respect this landscape.

The best way to explore the area is by following trails and observation platforms located throughout the refuge. The site is most active during fall and winter months when more birds arrive for the season.

One section called East Cove Unit is a shallow brackish basin that serves as a nursery for shrimp, crabs, and fish species. This ecosystem plays a key role in supporting the commercial fishing industry in the region.

Location: Cameron Parish

Inception: 1986

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/cameron_prairie

GPS coordinates: 29.85000,-93.21670

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:44