Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area east of New Orleans with freshwater marshes, brackish lagoons, and forest stands along a natural bayou. The land offers hiking trails, fishing spots, and paddling routes where you can watch alligators, waterfowl, and hundreds of bird species.

The land was originally planned for a large residential development called Pontchartrain, with three interstate interchanges already built before it became a refuge in 1990. This conversion saved the landscape from urban sprawl and turned it into an important protected area.

The name comes from Bayou Sauvage waterway, which served as a main travel route into New Orleans during early settlement times. The wetlands remain central to how people understand the natural character of this region.

The best way to explore the area is on foot using the hiking trails or by water with a canoe, especially during cooler months when wildlife is more active. Visitors should bring sturdy shoes and insect protection, as the land is wet and marshy.

The refuge hosts tens of thousands of migrating birds during spring and fall peak seasons as they travel between North and South America. This gathering makes it one of the most important stopover points for traveling species in the region.