a sanctuary for wildlife and people
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge is an urban nature park where the emphasis is on both wildlife and people. Nestled within the city limits of Monroe in northeastern Louisiana, this refuge offers trails for hiking and a lake for paddling, allowing visitors to experience nature up close.
![a paved path winds through a forest on a sunny day](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Path_Trees_1000x750.jpg)
embracing nature at black bayou lake
Maybe it was the breeze or the mix of sun and clouds that made an impression on me. Walking along the wooded trails of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, I wanted to slow down. I could hear the wind in the treetops and the sounds of birds and other wildlife. The reflections of trees and leaves in the rippling water reminded me of paintings by Monet. I was immersed in natural beauty.
![yellow and green leaves and blue sky reflect in rippled water at black bayou lake](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Ripples_of_Color_1000x750.jpg)
![trees and sky reflect in water of black bayou lake](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Reflex_Sky_Blue_1000x750.jpg)
![trees in forest reflecting in water of black bayou lake](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Reflex_Trees_Vert_750x1000.jpg)
the origins of black bayou lake
Erin Bellavia, the refuge manager, shares the history of Black Bayou. “Black Bayou used to be a free-flowing waterway until the railroad arrived in the early 1900s. They put the railroad in and it kind of dammed it up and created what today is the lake,” she explains. Since its establishment in 1997, the refuge’s guiding principle has been to preserve the natural habitat for animals while making it accessible for humans to see experience nature.
![board walk with railing goes into heavily wooded area](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Boardwalk_Trees_1000x750.jpg)
a close encounter with wildlife
As I strolled along the boardwalk, I felt a deeper connection to the wildlife. I paused to listen and noticed ducks swimming in the lake, a yellow songbird hopping onto the boardwalk, and a snake gliding between trees in a flooded lowland area. Just pause and wait, and you’ll see the movement nearby.
![man holding a louisiana pine snake](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Pine_Snake_1000x750.jpg)
And if you don’t spot animals in the wild, there is a collection of the refuge’s animals inside the Education Center. Jim Kolinski, who takes care of the animals, gently removes a large Louisiana Pine Snake from a terrarium and tells me, “I’ve convinced more people that snakes are not monsters. They’re gentle as could be, most of the time.”
![two alligators in display area](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Alligators_1000x750.jpg)
![small fish in large aquarium](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Fish_Aquarium_1000x750.jpg)
![turtle swims in aquarium](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Turtle_Aquarium_1000x750.jpg)
![man holding small turtle](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Holding_Small_Turtle_1000x750.jpg)
![wildlife museum display area](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Education_Center_1000x750.jpg)
black bayou lake refuge featured on tv
The Friends of Black Bayou, a volunteer organization, sponsors educational programs and helps expand the refuge’s public facilities. The group provides kayak and canoe tours, led by volunteer Ani Girey. “We go out in the lake and we talk about nature and the natural habitat,” Girey says.
photography and citizen science
![camera lens pointed through window at lake nature scene](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Photo_Blind_Camera_1000x750.jpg)
The wildlife and natural scenes at Black Bayou Lake are popular with photographers. Visitors can bring a camera to a photo blind and wait for the animals to appear. The structure keeps you in the shade and out of the animal’s line of sight.
![wooden structure over black bayou lake](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Photo_Blind_1000x750.jpg)
Charles Paxton, another volunteer, explains that photographers participate in what he calls citizen science. He and other photographers upload their pictures to a research website called iNaturalist.org. “Scientists use our data for their projects and their papers,” Paxton says.
![flowers and trees around small pond](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Iris_Pond_1000x750.jpg)
Ann Bloxom Smith of the Friends organization encourages people to visit the Monroe refuge. “So many people seem to be without a real connection to nature now,” Smith says. “And I think that connection to nature is crucial for all of our mental health.”
![blue wooden house with white columns on front porch and dormer window](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Visitors_Center_1000x750.jpg)
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers a serene escape and a chance to reconnect with nature, whether you’re a hiker, paddler, or photographer.
![trees and reflections in water](https://heartoflouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black_Bayou_Lake_Reflex_Cypress_Vert_750x1000.jpg)
getting to black bayou lake
The Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in located on US Highway 165 on the north side of Monroe, Louisiana. The address is 480 Richland Place Dr, Monroe, LA. Phone: (318) 387-1114.
480 Richland Pl, Monroe, LA 71203
Rudolph Thomas
Mr McNamara, I just saw your report on Chemin-a-Haut State Park. I would like to visit this park, Black Bayou Lake and a parks in St Martinville area. I hope to visit all of them. I think you do a great job with your ‘Heart of Louisiana’ series and are the reasons I garnered the interests in these parks. Keep up the good work.
Dave McNamara
Thank you!
Kenneth and Michelle
Are there any RV spots in our near Park.. We’d love to visit.. Thanks
Dave McNamara
There is no campground at Black Bayou Lake NWR, however the Monroe-West Monroe visitors bureau lists several nearby RV campgrounds on its website: https://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/stay/rv-parks-camping/