About Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge
Located in the heart of the “Cajun Coast,” Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge, established in 2001, sits along Bayou Teche, an ancient channel of the Mississippi River. The refuge consists of mostly swamp located behind the natural levees of the bayou between Franklin, Centerville, and Garden City, LA. Our primary objective at the refuge is to support the Louisiana black bear by restoring and managing bottomland hardwood forests, cypress-tupelo swamps, bayous, and marshes to ensure high quality, diverse habitat. Many other plants and animals benefit from conservation of these habitats. The refuge's location close to the Gulf of America makes it an important landscape for neotropical songbirds during seasonal migrations between the northern and southern hemispheres. The refuge is the homeland of the Chitimacha Tribe.
How to Get There
The refuge is located in the coastal Louisiana towns of Franklin, Garden City and Centerville. The refuge lands can be accessed by vehicle, boat, and foot. The refuge headquarters is located east of Franklin, Louisiana on Scenic Hwy 182. If traveling from New Orleans on Hwy 90 (Future I-49) exit at the Garden City/Franklin Exit, take Hwy 3218 to Hwy 182, Turn west (left) on Hwy 182 and proceed 1.2 miles toward Franklin. The Headquarters office trailer will be located on the left and directly across from the Alice-C Road.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/4016) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge is located in the coastal Louisiana towns of Franklin, Garden City and Centerville. The refuge lands can be accessed by vehicle, boat, and foot. The refuge headquarters is located east of Franklin, Louisiana on Scenic Hwy 182. If traveling from New Orleans on Hwy 90 (Future I-49) exit at the Garden City/Franklin Exit, take Hwy 3218 to Hwy 182, Turn west (left) on Hwy 182 and proceed 1.2…
How do I contact Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 337-828-0092 or email: bayouteche@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
