U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

USFWS USFWS

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge

General

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge was

established in 1994 to protect, enhance, and

manage a valuable wetland ecosystem that is

threatened by urban expansion from the city of

New Orleans. Its over 15,000 acres comprise the

largest undeveloped natural area along the

northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Within it

are interfaces of sandy beaches, offshore grass

beds, marshes, hardwood hammocks, and pine

flatwoods.

This diversity of habitats supports a wide variety

of wildlife species. The refuge attracts shorebirds,

wading birds, neotropical migratory birds, and

wintering and resident waterfowl. A variety of

mammal species, including game species such as

white-tailed deer and swamp rabbits, furbearers

such as mink, otter, raccoon, muskrat, nutria, and

many other non-game species are found here in

abundance.

The marshes provide critical spawning and

nursery habitat for a number of fresh and

saltwater species. Shrimp, crabs, redfish, speckled

trout, largemouth bass, catfish, bream, and other

species can all be found within the refuge at least

part of the year.

In additions to providing habitat for a natural

diversity of wildlife associated with Big Branch

Marsh NWR, refuge managers also seek to

provide a variety of opportunities for public

outdoor recreation and education.

Environmental Education Programs

Formal environmental education programs,

targeted for various ages, are offered on the

refuge. These highlight the wildlife and habitats of

the refuge, and encourage students to become

advocates for our country’s natural heritage

wherever they live. Classroom visits by refuge

staff are also available. Schools or other organized

groups should contact the refuge well in advance

to make reservations for EE programs. Phone

985-882-2022 or check the website at

http://bigbranchmarsh.fws.gov for more

information.

Interpretive Tours of the Refuge

Interpretive tours are presented every weekend

by refuge staff and volunteers. These include

canoeing, biking, hiking, bird-watching tours and

photography classes. A quarterly calendar of tours

and other events is published, and can be obtained

at the headquarters, by mail, or at

http://bigbranchmarsh.fws.gov.

National Wildlife Refuge Week

National Wildlife Refuge Week is celebrated each

year at Big Branch Marsh NWR in mid-October.

Displays, tours, demonstrations, and presentations

by special guest spotlight this as well as other

refuges in the Southeast Louisiana Refuges

complex and around the country.

Hunting and Fishing

The primary objective of National Wildlife Refuges

is to provide habitat for the conservation and

protection of all species of fish and wildlife.

Harvesting surplus animals is one tool used to

maintain wildlife populations at a level compatible

with the environment, provide wholesome

recreational opportunities, and permit the use of a

valuable renewable resource.

Both hunting and fishing are permitted on Big

Branch Marsh NWR, subject to regulations

contained in the refuge’s hunting and fishing

brochure. This brochure is available at the

headquarters, by mail, or on the web at http://

bigbranchmarsh.fws.gov and contains the required

hunting permit. Other recreational users should be

aware of hunting seasons on the refuge. Visitors are

encouraged to wear hunter orange for safety during

hunting seasons. State fishing and hunting licenses

are required to fish or hunt on the refuge.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking

The best hiking opportunities are on Boy Scout

Road, where a 4.5-mile round trip walk takes you

through several refuge habitats to the edge of

Bayou Lacombe. A 1/4 mile boardwalk trail also

begins here, and travels to the edge of a nearby

cypress slough.

Biking

Boy Scout Road is also great for a 4.5 mile bike trip,

with a smooth graveled surface. Mountain bikes are

recommended. The interpretive guide to Boy Scout

Road will help you enjoy your trip. The Tammany

Trace paved bike path, while not on the refuge,

runs very near it and provides access to several

refuge locations.

Canoeing

Canoeing opportunities are best on Cane Bayou, at

the western end of the refuge. A canoe launch is

located at the Cane Bayou Access area, off of

Lemieux Road. From there, a round trip of about

three miles takes you downstream to Lake

Pontchartrain. The mix of pine and hardwoods gives

way to cypress and marsh as you near the lake.

Osprey are often seen in this area.

Endangered Species

Nesting clusters of Red-cockaded woodpeckers

(RCW) are found on Big Branch Marsh NWR. This

cavity-nesting bird utilizes live mature pine trees in

which to build its nests. As logging has occurred

throughout its range, RCW’s have found it difficult

to find proper nest sites. Management programs

such as prescribed burning and territory harvest

operations seek to enhance habitats for this

endangered species.

For Your Safety

Be prepared and observe regulations concerning:

fishing and hunting license requirements; refuge

hunt permits; closed areas; boat registration; life

jackets and other required safety equipment.

Big Branch Marsh NWR is closed at night

Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.

Tell a relative or friend where you are going and

when you should return.

Pets must be on a leash.

During hunting season, non-hunters are encouraged

to wear hunter orange vests.

Prohibited

Feeding, enticing, or disturbing alligators or any

other wildlife.

Air-thrust boats, motorized pirogues, mud boats,

and go-devils.

Taking, collecting, or injuring wildlife not in season

on the refuge.

Use of trotlines, jug lines, gill nets, hoop nets, slat

boxes, and commercial fishing of any kind.

Motorized vehicles off public roads, designated

trails, and parking areas.

Horseback riding and ATV's

Firearms are permitted ONLY during the refuge

hunting season. A permit is required to hunt on the

refuge.

Headquarters – Bayou Lacombe Centre

The refuge headquarters is located in Lacombe,

Louisiana at 61389 Highway 434, 1 mile north of

U.S. 190, and 2 miles south of I-12. There you will

find information and refuge staff to answer your

questions. Headquarters hours are 8:00 am – 4:00

pm Monday thru Friday. The office is closed New

Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, and

Federal Holidays.

Surrounding the headquarters is a 110-acre tract of

the refuge along Bayou Lacombe. This beautiful

property contains a variety of formal garden areas

and ornamental species, and was once operated as a

commercial garden attraction. The site has also

been the home of a Louisiana governor and, most

recently, a boarding school operated by the

Redemptorist Fathers. The grounds are currently

used for special events and as headquarters for the

Southeast Louisiana Refuges Complex. From here

the Complex manages Big Branch Marsh as well as

Atchafalaya, Bayou Sauvage, Bogue Chitto, Breton,

Delta, and Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuges.

Southeast Louisiana Refuges

61389 Highway 434

Lacombe, LA 70445

985/882 2000

When Visiting Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife

Refuge

Lodging is available in nearby communities of

Lacombe, Slidell, and Mandeville/Covington.

Various restaurants, gas stations, and grocery

stores are located in the town of Lacombe. General

tourist information is available from the St.

Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention

Commission, located at exit 65 from Interstate 12.

Their address is 68099 Highway 59, Mandeville, La.

70471; phone 985/892 1441 or on the web at

http://www.neworleansnorthshore.com

This "blue goose" designed by J. N. "Ding" Darling, has

become a symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Big Branch Marsh

National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Carr Drive

Thompson Road

Pipeline Canal

Pipeline

(LA. 433)

(LA. 433)

Lemieux Road

190

12

Transmitter 

Road

Lacombe

Harbor

Road

Bayou Paquet Road

434

Cane Bayou

434

190

Fountainbleau St. Park

To Mandeville

Canoe launch,

Parking, Environmental

Education Site, Trail, Overlook

Town of Lacombe

Boy 

Scout 

Road

LA 4 3

Town of

Slidell

To New Orleans

To Covington

Headquarters

and Visitor 

Center

10

11

433

90

Bayou Lacombe

Refuge Boundary Private Inholdings

Parking Lot State Park

Public Launch Facility Non-motorized boat launch. Gasoline 

powered motors prohibited in green 

area of pipeline canal. 

Boardwalk 

N

 Goose

Point

Point

Platte Point du Chien

Big Point 

Bayou Bonfouca

B

Bayou Liberty Road

ayou Liberty

Pipeline

St. Louis Street

Barringer

Road

Lucille

Road

Overlook

Lake Pontchartrain

Exit 74