Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center — Attraction in Monroe

Even after two years, my experience here haunts me.

Since entering the 'wildlife refuge,' I immediately got a very uncomfortable feeling—something deep in my soul and spirit. Something was definitely off.

Went to the visitor center to ask questions. The attendants reluctantly admitted that this was a former plantation. That's when everything clicked. I'm not even a spiritual or religious person. I've never experienced anything like this before. But it was like something or someone was trying to communicate with me.

We were directed to an unmarked gravesite a few miles up the road. It was devastating—not only to think about what my ancestors have been through, but to know we weren't supposed to know they were here. There were was no signs or marking at all to indicate these people ever existed. It was like they didn't matter. Like they were worthless and that, hopefully, if enough time passed, everyone would forget all about them and how they suffered.

I highly doubt this is unusual for Louisiana (or the South in general), but it's impact matters all the same. It's unacceptable, especially with an HBCU just up the road. How many students could tour here, to pay respects, to learn more about their history and wildlife at the same time? At the very LEAST, acknowledge they existed. That this happened.

I know plenty of people couldn't care less about what I have to say. They just want to fish, and hunt, and birdwatch. But this is for people who DO care: be informed that wildlife—not history—is the only thing being 'preserved' or 'held...

This was a fun place to visit. We saw numerous birds, a snake, deer, and the biggest gator I have ever seen. Later a ranger at another park who had been there recently told me that gator was over 12 feet long and well known. I believed him. There were boardwalks over the water. We did the parts of the trails which were not flooded due to all of the crazy rain they have been experiencing. The facilities were well maintained. The worst part of the visit was all of the trash that fishermen had left on the boardwalk. This is at no fault of the park. There were plenty of trash receptacles. This was just total laziness of some previous visitors. It was probably just one group of people who fished multiple spots because the trash was the same beverages and snacks at each spot. The big gator saw us approach a particular fishing spot and swam in from fifty yards out. He put his body under the boardwalk in the shade and stuck out his head. He then opened his mouth like he was used to receiving snacks from above. It reminded me of a dog trained to sit for a treat. There are multiple signs reminding visitors to not feed wild animals. This was fun and the wildlife was incredible! This is a must see if...

This was absolutely beautiful. It has clearly paved paths and board walks over the bayou that take you out to the actual lake that the park is named after. In just a short 30 minutes, I was able to see two cranes, a gator, many indigenous bird species, plenty of fish, dragonflies, and so much more. You can’t go to Louisiana a visit to the swamplands!

1700-acre lake, nature trails/boardwalks, pier, observation deck, nature center, fishing, birdwatching, environmental education, canoe rentals, boating. The visitor center, a restored 19th-century planter's house, was purchased and renovated with funds raised almost entirely from the private sector. Next to the visitor center are the Conservation Learning Center with live animal exhibits, an arboretum with native Louisiana woody plants, and a prairie demonstration area with native...