Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge

Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996, about five miles southwest of Houma in western Terrebonne Parish. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service describes 4,212 acres of freshwater marsh, cypress-tupelo swamp and man-made canals, including flotant marsh, a floating marsh habitat. It is one of eight refuges in the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

The freshwater marshes draw thousands of migratory waterfowl, and the forested areas shelter neotropical migratory birds in spring and fall. Most of the refuge can be reached only by watercraft. The single land access is a nature trail west of Houma, at the end of the gravel Rue de Manson off Bayou Black Drive, which leads to an elevated boardwalk and an observation deck over the wetlands, where visitors may see shorebirds, waterfowl and alligators.

The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, and the Fish and Wildlife Service lists no fee, parking or closure information, so call the refuge at (337) 828-0061 before going. May through September is hot and buggy, and the service advises sunscreen, water and insect repellent. Airboats and marsh buggies are not allowed, drones need a special permit, and hunting is allowed only in specified areas under state regulations.