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Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center is a 101-acre facility dedicated to conservation, education, recreation and tourism. Begin your tour at the 9,500-square foot Nature Center Building . This impressive glass and wood structure is home to several exhibits. Once you have absorbed all the Nature Center has to offer, it's time to venture into the nearly pristine 65-acre cypress-tupelo swamp and a magnolia-beech upland hardwood forest with dramatic ravines. The two ecosystems are linked by a series of trails and boardwalks constructed to allow visitors the opportunity for exploration and magnificent views of the site. The boardwalk portions of the trails are handicapped-accessible.
Wildlife is plentiful at Bluebonnet Swamp . Many bird species make their homes in the swamp, including Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Prothonatory Warblers and a variety of owls and hawks. Raccoons, foxes, bobcats, snakes, turtles and alligators are also known to inhabit the site. The Nature Center
building is home to Louisiana 's largest duck hunting decoy collection and also houses a magnificent collection of carved wooden animals. The facility also holds temporary exhibits on history, ecology and culture. |
Exhibit Building
The award-winning exhibit building is an impressive structure combining the natural tones of wood and the illuminating effects of light to create an open-air feeling. Young visitors will surely enjoy the live animal displays, as well as the touch tables that are covered with items like snakeskin, feathers, pelts, skulls and other natural artifacts. More mature audiences might enjoy viewing the carving displays and picking up some free educational materials at the information table. Guests can find a variety of nature-related gifts and souvenirs in The Bee Hive, while also observing a real, working beehive and hunting for the marked queen. Visitors are also invited to venture out behind the building to view a backyard wildlife garden featuring labeled plants, habitat features and a rock-lined pond.
Small business groups (up to 40 people) using the center's conference room find the beautiful surroundings of this site quite inspiring during breaks. Larger groups (up to 150 people) can reserve the entire building for evening events as well.
Birds can be seen throughout the year, especially during annual migrations. Birding records cite many species that either live in or migrate through Bluebonnet Swamp . While wood ducks, white ibis and other migratory species are less seldom seen, visitors might observe blue herons, egrets, owls, hawks, crows, vultures and many songbirds all year round. |
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Swamp Haunted Hike
Bluebonnet Swamp 's Haunted Hikes are designed especially for younger children. This program is an alternative to the commercial haunted houses, which are geared more for teenagers and adults. Participants learn about snakes, insects, rats, and other “creepy critters” as they stop at educational stations along the trail. No scare tactics are used during this program, and participants are welcome to come in costume if they choose. All participants should bring a flashlight, and because this program runs at night, all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Dates: October 10, 17, & 24
Time: visitors admitted to the trails between 7:30 and 9:30 pm
Fees: $4.00/person, members free
Ages: all ages
Registration is not required. |
Ages:
Ages 2 and under |
Free |
Ages 3-17 |
$1.00 |
Ages 18-64 |
$2.00 |
Ages 65 and up |
$1.50 |
Full-time college students with university ID |
$1.50 |
Take Bluebonnet Road Exit off Interstate 10 (between Seigen and Essen ). Travel south approximately 2.5 miles. Oak Hills Parkway is on your right.
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