D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge

D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area with swamp forests and bottomland hardwoods north of West Monroe, Louisiana. The land spans two parishes and contains cypress swamps, hardwood forests, and roughly 13 miles of bayou waterway.

The refuge was established in 1975 to protect bottomland forests and provide winter grounds for migrating waterfowl. Since then it has served as a critical stopover for birds traveling their annual routes.

The place serves as a space where visitors can watch migratory birds and native animals in their natural surroundings. People come here to experience how the bayou functions as a living system and to see creatures in their everyday habitat.

Seven access points with parking lots sit along Highway 143, making it easy for visitors to start activities like boating, fishing, hiking, or photography. The grounds are open to explore, with the best time for observing birds being from January to May.

During typical rainfall seasons, up to 87 percent of the refuge becomes wetland from January to May. This seasonal flooding creates ideal conditions for birds seeking rest and shelter, transforming the landscape into a pulsing cycle between water and forest.