This is a lovely state run park that has tent camping and hookups for RV and travel trailers. It…read morealso has fishing, a boat launch and the Otis house that you can tour. Evidently the last owner of the house donated the house and some of the land to the state for a park which is great. It saves the land for use. I came to tour the house. You have to pay at the gate to drive on the premises, and pay for the tour. Then drive around and park near the house. Everything was quite lovely. I did not use any of the other facilities.

For a state park campground, this facility is above average in my experience. The campsites up…read morefront are spread out. There is a lot of open ground between the rows of slips giving you a sense of open space. There is another campground section in the back where the boat ramp is with some space to park your vehicles with boat trailers. The facilities are well maintained. For example, the site directly across from me has a brand new picnic table which are more expensive than your average table since the entire frame is made from tubular metal to ward off termites. Each gender has three separate shower rooms available to them. Each room is lockable and comes with a toilet, a sink vanity, and a very large shower stall. The rooms are spacious so that parents can help their young children. There two sets of washers and dryers in that same centrally located building for the front campground. The rear campground has their own building with restrooms and showers. The dump station has a hand soap dispenser which is the first time I've seen that at a public campground. I camped in slip #26 which is located at the end of the row and has partial shade over half the slip all day long. The end of the row is next to the park boundary and on the other side is an old cemetery which makes for a quiet area buffer from any residences. After my first weekend, almost everyone else checked out and I had my row to myself. Located within the park is the historical Old Mill House Museum but tours were not available (mid June 2023) as they were currently doing repair work. There is a swamp trail boardwalk available for walking/hiking with periodic benches and a river view at one point. They have provided playground equipment and swings for the children. There are about 80 RV slips and all have water and power hook ups. There a half dozen or so with sewer hook ups. There is also a large tent camping area with no power hook ups. There are plenty of restaurants and grocery stores within just a few miles of the park in both Madisonville and Mandeville.

Huge beautiful park! A real treasure find for this Alaskan!…read more Took the Sugar Mill trail which is a nice, wide gravel trail. Very easy to traverse for just about anyone. Some walked while some biked. Sugar Mill is a looping trail about a mile long. The alligator boardwalk trail was closed, likely due to damage from Ida and hasn't been repaired yet. There was another trail, but we did not take it. The massive cypress are just awesome! The Spanish moss slowly wavering in the air as you walk underneath these giants is just captivating to me! We did not encounter any creatures except squirrels and a male Orchard Orbweaver and his impressive web. Sooo much space and things to do here we didn't even do all of it. There's big open fields for playing, a playground, tons of parking available. I did see the pier and water of Lake Pontchartrain in the distance, but we were too hungry to keep exploring lol $3 per person to enter the park - 100% worth it

What is not to love about dining a historic park that offers 2,800 acres and beautiful views of…read moreLake Pontchartrain. This place did not disappoint and what a lovely day to explore. Established in 1942, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, the most-visited park in Louisiana has nature trails, a sandy beach, a new, all-inclusive playground, a splash pad, and the ruins of an 1829 sugar mill situated among towering oaks. Love there is An all-terrain track wheelchair is available for use by visitors with limited mobility. Win win for everyone.

Great boardwalk trail over the marsh. It's a good way to see wildlife on the northshore on an easy…read morehike.

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of…read morelife, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived" ― Henry David Thoreau, Walden I have always felt like Thoreau knew what he was talking about when he wrote that. It's been some time since I've gone to live in the woods, but I do think one can accomplish a lot by taking a walk alone into the wilderness. The boardwalk in this section of the Big Branch Refuge is a great place to take such a walk. Located in between Slidell and Lacombe, this section of the national refuge is somewhat different than the other two areas. This spot in particular is a half mile boardwalk trail that runs from the pine forest to the swamp. The trail lets you see first hand how the forest has subsided over the years and become swamp. The remnants of dead pine trees that could no longer survive the excessive moisture dot the landscape. As the trail continues, you will end a large expanse of swamp and an incredible view. There is also more trails to hike, but on my most recent visit I was running out of daylight. This trail is popular, but I have found that more times than not, you will be the only hiker. On my most recent trip I encountered several groups on my hike back, but only one group was irritating enough that I wanted to push them into the swamp. When people are hiking and enjoying nature, hooping and hollering is not enjoyable to others. My hike though the wilderness was very enjoyable. For the first part of the hike all that could be heard was the wind and the birds. If you need to think, want to take photos, or just enjoy a walk through the woods, check this trail out.

A small nature area just on the side of Hwy 90 appx half way from NOLA to BSL. Older locals may…read moreremember it as the site of the White Kitchen, an almost mandatory stop for food and fuel before I10 existed. The nature site has plenty of parking, a boat launch and a nice walkway well out into the marsh.

This might be the only nature preserve named after a restaurant. It's located at the intersection…read moreof US 90 (Chef Menteur Highway) and US 190. The area was once home to a state line diner called the White Kitchen. According to local legend, Jayne Mansfield stopped in on her way from Mississippi to New Orleans. She perished in a car accident that night only a few miles away. The restaurant is long gone and all that remains are wide open spaces. The park doesn't offer any hiking trails for exploration but it does provide a peaceful setting for nature watching. The trees drip with Spanish moss and cypress knees poke up from the swamp. If you want to get out on the water there's a boat launch for easy access. If not, you can just stroll the boardwalk. You don't have to worry about close encounters with wildlife since the pathway is elevated from the water. There are alligators, frogs, turtles, snakes, wild turkeys, egrets, brown pelicans and ducks in the area. People have claimed to see bald eagles too. When I visited earlier this month I was only able to spot a few blue herons off in the distance. The place has seen better days. The placard at the end of the boardwalk must be at least twenty years old. It's sun-bleached and too faded to read. There are empty soda and beer cans floating in the water. The lack of maintenance detracts from the natural beauty. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit this park but it's worth a stop if you're in the area.

AN UNEXPECTED NEW ORLEANS ADVENTURE AND WE SAW THE GATORS!…read more We originally wanted to book a swamp tour, but unfortunately we were too late to get one for the day. I've been to New Orleans before, and seeing an alligator in its natural habitat was still on my bucket list, so we decided to take a ride out to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and see what we could find. And baby... LO AND BEHOLD! Not long after we arrived, we came across some locals standing near the swamp taking pictures. We walked over and THERE IT WAS an alligator right there in the water! Bucket-list moment CHECKED! Now, here's where those locals became our best friends for the day! Do NOT go out there poking sticks in the water, trying to get an alligator to come closer for your picture! Thank God we ran into people who knew the area and gave us some much-needed knowledge. They explained just how quickly these animals can move and reminded us to keep a safe distance. Needless to say, we enjoyed our gator from WHERE WE WERE! The entire experience was beautiful because this wasn't a staged attraction we were able to see wildlife right there in its natural environment. The drive in was peaceful and beautiful, surrounded by woods and the sounds of nature. And then there were the SPIDERS! The spiderwebs throughout the area were absolutely incredible, but some of those spiders were bigger than a half-dollar! So keep your eyes OPEN while you're admiring the scenery! If you're visiting New Orleans and want a FREE, authentic nature experience, this is definitely worth checking out. Just remember: respect the wildlife, keep your distance, stay aware of your surroundings, and if you happen to run into a knowledgeable local LISTEN! We went looking for a swamp tour and ended up having our own little adventure instead. Beautiful scenery, nature at its best, giant spiders, local wisdom, and MY ALLIGATOR! Bucket list: CHECK! New Orleans owes me nothing!

Arrived shortly after the Government shut-down during our 11K road-trip across America. We had…read morealready been disappointed at a couple stops that were completely closed due to shut-down. We were so happy to find the trails and boardwalk were open and our biggest surprise was to find that the Rangers/Staff was kind enough to set-out the Park Cancellation Stamp (very thoughtful during their stressful time). The bathrooms were also opened so greatly appreciated by myself and family. We walked the Boardwalk and was treated to the amazing beauty of a Moma Alligator with a pod of youngsters around her right off the boardwalk. What an amazing opportunity to see wildlife up close and in their natural environment. I was able to get some pictures (I have a 600M Lens) so at a distance. We did not bother them and they remained where they were at chillin. What a sight to see, one of the coolest yet of the wild side of National Parks.

It's snake mating season, so we are on a break, but Freki can't wait to get back out on the trails!…read more Lots of things to see and do, some rolling terrain to make the hike a little physical, and so many sign to help you get the most out of your hike. If you're in Mandeville and looking to stretch your legs a little, this little gem is your ticket!

Quiet, wonderful place to spend some exploring time near Mandeville. Near the entrance are…read moreexcellent tree lined wooden walking paths that lead to some secluded trails through the woods. Swamps, birds, turtles , snakes and botanical treasures are to be found. Recommended!!

Nature center is nice and the trails are nice. !3 entry fee. Trail is closed off due to rebuilding…read moreafter the flood happened. It's after you get over the bridge that you will see the barricade.

During our cross country road trip in the summer of 2022, we traveled with the truck and trailer…read morefrom Los Angeles to Key West and back. My wife booked a few nights in Tickfaw state park, sight unseen, to be more or less in the vicinity of New Orleans, a plantation tour, and a swamp boat tour that we had booked months in advance. As it turned out, we actually enjoyed this state park stay more than our visit to New Orleans! The state park entrance is actually at the back of a neighborhood of sorts, on a narrow two-lane road that cuts away from the highway at a weird angle. Once inside the park proper, visitors are treated to beautiful swamps, complete with cypress trees, Spanish moss, and all the critters you would expect to find here. The campground we enjoyed had full hook ups, a small wooden deck, and a long back-in pad for our trailer. There was also a resident raccoon who kept us honest about locking things up at night, and securing coolers and food. Tickfaw state park features long boardwalks with railings, that afford visitors beautiful hikes in different parts of the park through different kinds of trees and plants. Unfortunately, many of these were still damaged in the summer of 2022 from the previous year's Hurricane Ida that blew through southern Louisiana and surrounding areas. The only trail that was not affected by this was the one without a boardwalk, so we enjoyed a hike through beautiful pines that went down to the river. Despite most of the trails being closed and damaged, we still enjoyed ourselves here, and had a good time. In the evening, I enjoyed casting topwater lures in on the cypress knees and trees, and caught & released several big bowfin... A fish that is sort of a cross between a catfish a bass, and a pit bull I suppose. I'm not sure when we will be back through this part of the world, but Tickfaw State Park is definitely a place that I would stay again: off the beaten path but close enough to where you want to be, peaceful and quiet, and the kind of southern serene that helps a SoCal guy like me to slow down and enjoy life a little bit.

I saw pictures of his place and it looks like there was a body of water and maybe some nice natural…read moresettings... Not! Lots of trash lots of nothing other than a field with nothing in it. Finally found a small body of water... Again, lots of trash and construction going on that is just very unappealing to look at.Looks like they play sports on this land occasionally maybe? I don't know, it was just a big big disappointment.

This park has a cute playground with the soft padding under the play area. It was a typical…read moreintermittent rain summer day and the littles were revolting. I took a chance in hopes that the playground would not be muddy. It was not! Despite the rain 30 minutes before the slides and tunnels were fit for playing. One of the littles took a tumble and hard fall. After a few minutes of shock crying he declared he was good and ran to play some more. There are plenty of trees for shade and there are washrooms. We didn't use them but the littles were able to expend energy to support afternoon nap time.

Nice little Park off the highway and easy to miss., turn around at next exit (we did)…read more Entrance near an industrial area, lots of trucks in and out. Nice parking area along the water, with some picnic tables. An information board located near entrance. Some people were just parked (maybe enjoying the view), a Ranger did drive thru. So the area is monitored. A decent trail with a nice boardwalk takes you into the refuge with views of the marsh and water. We were here mid-day so it was quiet. Some birds, and lots of turtles. On way out, net Blair (local birder) and we talked about sightings in area. He told me about a Kingfisher that hangs out over waterway off main road. The Kingfisher was right where he said it would be - we did not stop (lots of trucks) passing by. Nice to talk to locals, especially fellow bird enthusiasts. Worth a stop !!!

Is the hustle and bustle of city life getting you down?…read more Do you find yourself becoming stressed from traffic? Do you need a break? If you answered yes to the above questions, I have just the thing to cure what ails you. What is this miraculous cure you ask? Dirt. That's right friends, good ole 100% American dirt. Get you some. I realize that the words posted above these may seem ridiculous, and for some it won't help, but for me, getting off the road and into nature helps me every time. The Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge is one such place that I recommend you check out. This NWR is located off of the very last exit before Mississippi (Pearl River Turnaround). If you're heading from Louisiana, exit, turn left and drive down the first dirt road you encounter. There isn't really a very good sign, but you'll know it when you find it. As you first enter the NWR you will encounter a very cool railroad bridge. For many, this will be the coolest thing you see, but for me there is much more. The roads through the NWR are dirt and rock only. They are fairly well packed so four wheel drive is not necessary, but I would be reluctant to take a car back here if it is low slung. The roads run for many miles through the middle of the refuge and you are unlikely to encounter any other humans if you go during the week. If hiking is your thing, there are a few trails that I have yet to explore, but they do look promising for a brief nature hike. Each trail has its own parking area which is convenient since parking on the road wouldn't be ideal. The roads here seem to go on forever. I would guess that it took me nearly thirty minutes to drive the entirety of the main road. It ended up at a weird camp type residential area, finally dead ending at a very run down looking trailer. I haven't fully explored all of the roads yet, but it does seem to be a one way in, one way out situation. The hour or so I spent on my first trip invigorated me and I can't wait to go back.

A trip to New Orleans... You must experience the bayou. There are plenty of parking. I highly…read morerecommend going in the morning especially when the weather is warm. Bring bug spray. If you are like me, bugs love me! Came here September 2018. It was warm. It was closer to 11am. We had hats. We also had umbrellas. There is trail. A lovely board walk that is well kept. It is very accessible for all ages and all abilities. Wheelchairs accessible is a plus in my book! Lots of huge dragon flies and big butterflies here. Some bugs we couldnt see but we sure can HEAR THEM!!!! Didn't see a gator. We were looking though! Check this trail out! It's nice!

Born on the bayou…read more.. This could a bit biased, I'm from NY and there are no bayous. The wooden plank trail is in very good shape, noticed more trail has yet to be completed. It's a ridge trail boardwalk is about 1/2 a mile long. I wish I was able to explore more of the 25,000 acres as boating, fishing, crabbing/craw-fishing and bird watching opportunities. Plenty of parking and clean restrooms. Unfortunately, did not see any gators. Will be back!