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Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
10503 North Oak Hills Parkway

Hours Tuesday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday: 12-5 p.m. Closed Mondays 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. Oak Hills Parkway 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

Programs:

Rockin' at the Swamp
Get ready to rock at BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center!
Why don't children play outside anymore?  In an era of video games and the Internet, outdoor activities are a rarer and rarer part of children's lives.  In an effort to reverse the negative effects of this growing disconnect, BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center (BSNC) hosts Rockin' at the Swamp on Saturday, March 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the BSNC, 10502 N. Oak Hills Pkwy.  This day-long event focuses on BSNC's initiative to increase children's appreciation for nature and the outdoors through fun activities and learning opportunities about Earth, science, geology, mineralogy and gemology.  Admission is $5 for adults (18 and older), $4 for children (ages 2-17) and free for children under 2.  For more information, please call 225-757-8905 or visit Rockin' at the Swamp's Web page.

Swamp Nights
An educational hike led by the nature center staff down into the Bluebonnet Swamp after dark! Participants will learn why the "Wise Ol' Owl" isn't so wise, why being "blind as a bat" is a good thing, how lightning bugs light up the night and much more. Participants are encouraged to wear long pants, socks and closed-toe shoes and to bring a flashlight and insect repellant.
Program structure is subject to change due to inclement weather
Ages: 7 years & up
Dates:
Session 1:  Friday, March 19
Session 2:  Friday, August 20
Session 3:  Friday, August 27
Times:
Session 1: 7 - 9 p.m.
Session 2 and 3: 7:45 - 9 p.m.
Session 4: 7:45 - 10 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 or at nature center.

Swamp Toddler Adventure

Participants choose to attend either Wed. or Thurs. sessions (March-May or September through November).
(Wed. and Thurs.) 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Ages: 2 to 5 with accompanying adult

$40 per four weeks (in-parish residents)

$48 per four weeks (out-of-parish residents)

Register online at www.brec.org or in person at BSNC.

  

Dog Days

All pets are welcome, but they must be on a leash and have their vaccinations current.

March 20, June 19, Sept. 18 and Dec. 18

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

General admission, pass holders free

Registration is not required.

 

Swamp Haunted Hike

All participants should bring a flashlight, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

October 15, 22 and 29

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

$6 per person, pass holders free

Registration is not required.

 

Autumn Harvest Camp

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.

Nov. 22-23 (Mon. and Tues.)

9 a.m.-4 p.m.    

Ages: 7 to 12

$40 (in-parish)

$48 (out-of-parish)

$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 or in person at BSNC. 

 

Winter Wonders Camp

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.

Dec. 20-21 (Mon. and Tue.)

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Ages: 7 to 12

$40 (in-parish)

$48 (out-of-parish)

$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 or in person at BSNC. 

 
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