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Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
10503 N. Oak Hills Pkwy.

Hours Tuesday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday: 12-5 p.m. Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day All trails close at 5 p.m.

Directions  Take Bluebonnet Road Exit off Interstate 10 (between Seigen and Essen). Travel south approximately 2.5 miles. N. Oak Hills Pkwy. is on your right.

Admission Ages 2 and under Free Ages 3-17 $2 Ages 18-64 $3 Ages 65 and up $2.50 Full-time college students with university ID $2.50 Pet Policy This site has a "no pets" policy except on designated days. Call (225) 757-8905 for more information on our Dog Days program, when visitors are allowed to enjoy the Swamp with their pets.

225-757-8905

Swamp in the City Newswire
A seasonal newsletter highlighting nature events, programs and activities at BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center.  Click here for the latest issue. 



Programs:

Swamp Nights
Join the nature center staff for a night program focusing on nocturnal animals.  The program includes a hike and animal presentation.  In case of rain, an alternative activity is substituted for the hike.  Participants are encouraged to wear long pants, socks, closed-toe shoes and to bring a flashlight and insect repellent.
Ages: 7 years and older
Dates: Aug. 20 and 27
Times: 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person (in-parish residents)
$6 per person (out-of-parish residents)
For more info Contact Claire Coco or Angela Evans at 758-8905 or at angelaevans@brec.org.  Register online at brec.org/webtrac or at the nature center.

Swamp Toddler Adventure

During the course of the four-week session, parents and guardians and their young ones (ages 2 to 5 years old) have the opportunity to learn about plants and animals through various adventures at the nature center.  A program instructor provides learning opportunities, both indoors and outdoors, while participants enjoy the sights and sounds of the swamp with trail walks, hands-on activities and healthy snacks.  Each two-hour class features a different nature theme for a well-rounded and fun experience.  Special souvenirs are available at the end of each four-week session.  Participants choose to attend the Wednesday or the Thursday sessions.  (Wed. and Thurs.) 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Session dates: Wednesdays (Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22; Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24) and Thursdays (Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23; Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11, 18, 26)
Time: (Wednesday and Thursday), 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Ages: 2 to 5, with accompanying adult
Fee: $40 per four-week session per child participant (in-parish residents) and $48 per four-week session per child participant (out-of-parish residents)
Register online at brec.org/webtrac or in-person at the nature center.

  

Dog Days

With our Dog Days, the nature center drops its "No Pets" policy and opens its doors and trails to pets for four days out of the year.  All pets are welcome, but they must be on a leash and have their vaccinations current.

Dates: Sept. 18 and Dec. 18

Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

General admission, pass holders free

Registration is not required.

Windows to Bluebonnet Swamp
The nature center is sponsoring an event in conjunction with the Women's Council of Greater Baton Rouge's Women's Week.  Join volunteer John Hartgerink as he shares some of his amazing images of the plants and animals that call the nature center home.  An optional nature walk follows his presentation.  Light pastries with fruit and jams of native plants will be served.
Date: Sept. 28
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Ages: 18 and up
Fee: $3 per person
Registration begins Aug. 1.  To register stop by the nature center or call 225-757-8905.

 

Swamp Haunted Hike

Swamp 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 all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Dates: Oct. 15, 22 and 29

Time: Visitors may enter trails from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Fee: $6 per person, pass holders free

Registration is not required.
 

Autumn Harvest Camp

Bring your child to the nature center for two days of fall fun during the Thanksgiving holiday break.  Children will be treated to nature-based activities such as arts and crafts, live animal encounters, hikes, games and a themed afternoon snack.  Campers will need to bring a bag lunch and drink each day.

Dates: Nov. 22-23 (Mon. and Tues.)

Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.    

Ages: 7 to 12

Fees: $40 (in-parish residents) and $48 (out-of-parish residents)

$10 extra for early drop-off (begins at 7:30 a.m.) and late pick-up (until 5:30 p.m.)

Registration begins Oct. 1.  Register online at www.brec.org/webtrac or in-person at the nature center. 

 

Winter Wonders Camp

Bring your child to the nature center for two days of winter fun during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.  Children will be treated to nature-based activities such as arts and crafts, live animal encounters, hikes, games and a themed afternoon snack.  Non-denominational themes will focus on the winter season.  Each day is comprised of different activities, and campers will need to bring a bag lunch and drink each day.

Dates: Dec. 20-21 (Mon. and Tue.)

Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Ages: 7 to 12

Fees: $40 (in-parish residents) and $48 (out-of-parish residents)

$10 extra for early drop-off (begins at 7:30 a.m.) and late pick-up (until 5:30 p.m.)

Registration begins Nov. 1.  Register online at www.brec.org/webtrac or in-person at the nature center. 

 
Mission Statement
Through ecotourism and nature-based education, Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center provides opportunities for discovery and positive outdoor experiences, which foster an awareness and appreciation of natural resources.  BSNC promotes the conservation of natural areas, ecological research and hands-on community involvement to cultivate environmental stewardship.

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center is a 103-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 1.3 mile walking 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.

Founding Land Conservation Sponsors 1987-1997
BREC
Vulcan Chemicals
ExxonMobil
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
International Paper
The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana
 
Nature Programs & Environmental Education
A variety of programs are offered throughout the year including:
Educational Group Tours (field trips)
Live Animal Encounters
Dogs Days
Holiday Camps
Summer Day Camps
Haunted Hikes & Night Hikes
Overnighters
Trailtime for Toddlers

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.

Volunteers Wanted!
Interested in Louisiana natural science? Can you donate at least three hours per week to the nature center. Then BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp is for you. Contact BREC's Volunteer Coordinator at (225) 272-9200 x.581 for more information.

Click here for information on BREC's Walking Trails