PLEASE USE CAUTION AND CALL AHEAD REGARDING ACCESSIBLITY OF TRAILS.
Stroll the boardwalk through the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge and enjoy the beauty of cypress-tupelo swamps, the sight of alligators and numerous bird and fauna species – including the Louisiana black bear – which occur on the refuge but are shy and seldom seen. National wildlife refuge providing habitat for the Louisiana black bear and other wildlife of coastal Louisiana. Hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, canoeing, kayaking. Enjoy bird and nature watching on the boardwalk. A brochure is available at the kiosk.
Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge consists of different units of hiking, birding and paddling trails.
Garden City Trail
The Garden City Trail is located on the Garden City Unit of the refuge is on top of a flood protection levee. The levee is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers and St. Mary Parish Levee District.
The trail is open only to hiking. The top of the levee is gravel and is sometimes traveled on by government vehicles. It is not to be used by public motorized vehicles. The trail is about 3 miles one way. It overlooks flooded swamp land on one side and a borrow pit on the other side. At about 400 yards from the parking lot, there will be a 300 foot boardwalk. The boardwalk overlooks a cypress tupelo swamp and has interpretive signs. The tree canopy in the area protects you from sun. The top of the levee has no sun protection. The trail can be very hot during summer months. Sunscreen is recommended as well as insect repellent.
DIRECTIONS:
Garden City Unit Exit
Hwy. 90 East/West – Take the Centerville Exit at LA 317. Exit towards Burn’s Point. The GPS location at the over pass is N 29 44’36” W 91 26′ 09.2.” Travel down LA 317 about .3 miles where you pass a gas station located on your right, then a railroad track. Turn right onto Alice C Road at GPS N 39 44′ 18.8″ W 91 26′ 22.5.” Travel down Alice C Road about .7 miles and take a left at the Pumping Station after the small bridge located at GPS 29 44′ 25.4″ W 91 27′ 08.3.” The trail head parking lot is behind the pumping station.
Other trails on the refuge can be found here.
