Nature Trail in Bloom

Spring is the perfect time to visit this nature trail through the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge near New Orleans. Louisiana’s purple wild iris and the white water lily and other wildflowers usually bloom in April.

A half-mile-long boardwalk takes you through a pine savannah and over a lowland marsh. This is where you can easily spot many of Louisiana’s blooming spring wildflowers. But if you miss seeing the purple iris and white water lilies, watch this video that shows many of the flowers in full bloom.

The nature trail is tucked away along the southern edge of St. Tammany Parish, near where Bayou Lacombe meets Lake Pontchartrain. It’s called the Boy Scout Road Trail. After the boardwalk, a gravel trail continues through woods of pine and oak trees. You hear the knock-knock-knock of woodpeckers in the tall pine trees. And on the gravel road portion of the trail, you can view the nesting holes of woodpeckers in some of the trees.

walk slowly along this nature trail

This is one of those “hikes” where you want to take your time. The more you linger along the trail, the more you will see and hear. Look closely to spot other small wildflowers, insects and animals. The trail ends at Bayou Lacombe, where you can sit beneath the trees and enjoy a snack. There are also a few bench areas and a marsh overlook along the gravel trail. The total distance out and back is 5 miles.

morning photos in the big branch marsh

tv feature on this nature trail

getting there

The Boy Scout Road Trail is located south of U.S. Hwy 190 near Lacombe, LA.

Lacombe, LA 70445