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This trail begins near the refuge's visitor center of LA-27 south of the city of Lake Charles. At roughly a mile in length the path will take you into the lowlying wetlands of the refuge to sample a bit of the area wildlife, the birds especially but possibly the alligators also. The covered observation platform however mainly provides shade, but spotting birds from there or alligators will require telephoto lenses or binoculars.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Phone: (337) 762-3816
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The Wetland Walkway around the Marsh Trail begins roughly four miles south of the refuge visitor center off LA-27, the Creole Nature Trail. A parking lot sits near the mouth of the trail and restroom facilities are nearby. The path winds through marsh and sawgrass, and gators aplenty are generally close to or even on the trail. Use caution when approaching or photographing such wildlife.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Phone: (337) 762-3816
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When you have been traveling for a few 100 miles this place is really great to chill out.
When we where there the weather was great, it wasn't too hot and the sun wasn't too bright.
We stopped the car at a parking place along the trail didn't know what the expect. When we got out we saw a large paved path through the wilderness. With lot's of colourful birds, but also gators just next to the path in the water. Strange enough we didn't see any of the gators ashore on this side of the water. Maybe they don't like human meat.
Picture taken sunday june 1st 2003, 13:59
Written Jul 12, 2003
Miscellaneous: If you are going to drive around in the Louisiana nature it's always smart to have something to drink with you, especially if you're going to drive in the heat in not so populated area's.
If your car breaks down, the airco does so to and your bound to get thirsty then. It can be smart to buy a cooler, you can get the simple styrofoam ones for about $ 2,00 if you fill this with ice cubes at the hotel or buy a bag at a grocery store you could keep you drinks cool up to two days, even the melted ice keeps your drinks cool.
We always carry one or two gallons of water (about $0,60 cents a gallon) and a small refilled bottle in the front of the car.
It's much cheaper as buying bottles and as i said earlier you can keep your drinks cool when your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
Oh and another tip don't drop a gallon of water in the elevator, you and the elevator will get soaked :-).
Written Jun 22, 2003
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Most park visitors barely leave the road or the established trails. The locals routine ply the bayous for good fishing, commonly taking or finding red fish, flounder, alligator gar, black bass, crappie, channel catfish, and sunfish. For visitors with extra time, the areas most frequented by wildilfe are the offshoot canals. Gators and herons are notorious predators in these shallower waters. Check with refuge headquarters on LA-27 for regulations on boating in the area.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Phone: (337) 762-3816
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On the east side of Lake Charles from Sabine is its opposite number the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Similar in many respects to Sabine, the refuge offers trails (both foot and by car) that bring you closer to the wildlife. Expect herons, egrets and alligators to be your ambassadors as you continue along the Creole Nature Trail around Lake Charles. Stop by the visitor center for addition information.
Updated Mar 1, 2005
Phone: (337) 598-2216
Website: http://cameronprairie.fws.gov
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Favorite thing: The best way to visit the refuge is by boat. The area highway offers several areas where boats can cast off, provided the user adhere to the refuge regulations. For those who wish to visit on foot, there are a few short trails along LA-27 for this purpose. The Blue Goose Trail and the Marsh Trail are the best-known examples. If you visit in the sunnier months, expect wilting temperatures and few sunshades along your route. This is after all southern Louisiana.
Written Jan 28, 2005
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Favorite thing: Most of the refuge is under a few feet of standing water near sea level. Canals and bayous radiate away from the lowlying "lake" and there one will be able to approach the wildlife with the least trouble. Watch your footing at all times. Soil might be so saturated that your step might plunge abruptly, and as always be careful when approaching taller grasses. . .these are the preferred hideaways for the refuge's alligators.
Written Jan 28, 2005
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Favorite thing: Anhingas (pictured), egrets, herons, geese and several other species of waterfowl are commonly seen throughout the refuge, but normally along the canals where water tends to be more shallow and wading is less of a problem. Unlike the birds in the Everglades however, the larger birds here are more skittish around human traffic and will often not allow one to approach within 50 yards without taking wing.
Written Jan 28, 2005
This large preserve on the western side of Lake Charles in Louisiana hosts almost 200 square miles of aquatic marvels. Birds of varying species and alligators aplenty routinely ply the waters and tall...
Part of the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road.
On june first 2003, we went through this park, at one point there was a parking place from which you could walk through the park. So if you end up just like us in Sulphur you could just drive over...
Build your own Sabine National Wildlife Refuge page
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