Also known as "Chevron Boardwalk".
This area is little more than a rest area on the old Hwy 90/Hwy190 highway system junction. It used to have a pond along with a well, believe it or not, right near the entrance from Hwy 90. All that was destroyed during Katrina. Back in those days, this entire area was actually quite a popular attraction for Sunday picnics and things of that nature. The pond would often have small gators, turtles and yes, lots of fish and the occasional water snake! Katrina took out a lot of the hardwood trees and the grasses and tallow trees took over. In those swampy areas 16 years ago is where I laid eyes on my first wild Eastern Coral snake! (Louisiana two step) It was very small, though, and I let it alone under the log where I found it. Ahhh, memories.
Now, it is significantly less than that, but it does have a sweet boardwalk that ventures out into the marsh with a beautiful view of a small lake. The area also features a small boat launch for smaller craft; the lake isn't very big, but I hear it's good fishing.
If you go out there, be prepared to see a few alligators up close and personal near the boat launch and in the waters beyond the boardwalk. Do NOT feed those gators. Also, you will see a population of feral cats and possibly some raccoons. Local farmers often use this rest area to sell veggies and honey or homemade craft items to passersby on the highway because the swamp tours are just down the road.
I give this place 4 stars because it is one of my favorite night-time sky viewing areas. There's something lots of people don't even really think about. That boardwalk on a clear night sky will show you stars you've never seen before, and there is NO better place to watch a meteor shower. Also worthy of 4 stars is the small lake where if you have access to a boat, is a really nice place to spend the day in the middle of the marshy water.
I would give this place 5 stars if those bald eagles still nested across the lake. That's right. Before Katrina, there was a well established bald eagle nest located just across the lake. You could see it with binoculars and MANY times have I gone out there to see those eagles flying around the lake and even directly above me from the boardwalk. Since Katrina, though, I have not seen any eagles.
It is still worth a stop, though. As a rest area, to stretch your legs AND as a small nature reserve where you may see a gator or two, lots of turtles and possibly even a few bullfrogs. read more