Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge

Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area along the Cocodrie River in eastern Louisiana that includes swamps, lake landscapes, and hardwood forests. The site contains different habitats where water and land meet and provide space for many animal species.

Private land was acquired by a conservation organization in 1991 and officially protected as a refuge one year later. This action saved a valuable forest area that might otherwise have continued to disappear.

The protected forests here show visitors what natural habitats look like and how they sustain wildlife in this region. People come to observe and understand how river landscapes provide homes for animals and plants.

Visitors can walk on wooden boardwalks and observe wildlife from viewing platforms, or explore via hiking trails and boat launches. The best times to visit are early morning or evening hours when many animals are most active.

This place is a critical refuge for the region's black bears, which find food and safety among the protected forests. Bird watchers come here to spot uncommon duck species that arrive from the north during colder months.

Location: Louisiana

Inception: 1992

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

GPS coordinates: 31.55000,-91.63330

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:24