Alligators
Marsh alligators are a familiar sight along the refuge waterways, often sunning along the banks and edges of the open marsh.
Wildlife · Lacombe, Louisiana
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
A natural wildlife sanctuary in Lacombe and one of only eight wildlife refuges in Louisiana — a favorite spot for blue crabbing and for watching abundant animal life.
A Natural Wildlife Sanctuary
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is a great place for the real nature lover. The refuge preserves a large stretch of coastal wetland habitat just north of Lake Pontchartrain, and it is one of only eight wildlife refuges in the state of Louisiana.
The refuge is located on Boy Scout Road in Lacombe. Visitors come for the open water and the surrounding marsh, where blue crabbing is a popular pastime, and for the chance to observe birds and other wildlife at close range.
8
Wildlife refuges in Louisiana — Big Branch Marsh is one of them
Lacombe
Located on Boy Scout Road
Abundant Animal Life
Wildlife To Watch For
Big Branch Marsh supports a rich mix of wetland species, and the open sight lines across the water make it an easy place to observe them.
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Lacombe protects a broad sweep of coastal wetland habitat just north of Lake Pontchartrain, making it one of only eight national wildlife refuges found in Louisiana. The refuge is reached along Boy Scout Road, and its marsh, cypress, and open-water landscapes give visitors an immediate sense of the Northshore's wild character. Birders, paddlers, and casual strollers all find reward in the short trails and viewing areas that wind through the sanctuary.
Crab fishing is a signature pastime at Big Branch Marsh, where blue crabbers work the tidal edges and shallow channels in season. Anglers and families often arrive early, working the water while fiddler crabs and wading birds move through the shallows nearby. The refuge has become a beloved local stop for the fishing crowd, and the combination of accessible banks and productive water keeps visitors returning throughout the warm months of the year.
Wildlife viewing is the other great draw of the refuge, with an abundance of animal life visible across the marsh and its surrounding woods. Alligators, herons, egrets, and a variety of songbirds appear along the paths and overlooks, while the open flats offer quiet stretches for watching the water. For the true nature lover, the preserve feels like a working landscape rather than a landscaped park, where each visit reveals something new about the ecology of the Northshore region.
Big Branch Marsh sits within the wider Saint Tammany Parish tourism landscape, where the same water and woods are celebrated in destinations ranging from Fontainebleau State Park and the Global Wildlife Center to the seafood houses and fishing piers of Sunset Park on Lake Pontchartrain. Abita Springs, Covington, Mandeville, and Slidell each contribute their own character, from historic downtown districts and antique shops to farmers markets and bayou festivals. Exploring the refuge is a natural way to connect with that broader parish heritage.
Marsh Birds
Herons, egrets, and other wading birds forage in the shallow water, with songbirds filling the surrounding woods.
Blue Crabs
Blue crabbing is a popular activity in the refuge, with many regulars returning to the same productive spots along the marsh edges.
Plan Your Visit
Big Branch Marsh sits in the northern part of St. Tammany Parish, and the parish itself lies just 45 minutes from New Orleans, making the refuge an easy day trip.
For current refuge information, contact the site operator or check with the National Wildlife Refuge directly before you travel.
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