Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge
Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
56 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
24
Average
9
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Tereasa S
5 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Loved the trail! Very short walk with lots of critters to see. HOWEVER.....the bugs and flies were out of control!!!! Would suggest everything be covered and have face netting as well if you are venturing on this trail. One of the locals said NOT to wear bug repellent because it attracts them. Thank goodness there is a covered bridge mid way thru to give you a break from being a human smorgasbord for the insect world!
Written 22 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mommaof5kiddos
Elgin, IL192 contributions
Mar 2022
We saw this and decided to check it out while we were awaiting our son. It was a pleasant walk where we were able to see snakes and frogs. There was a hive of carpenter bees in the initial area as it was near the parking space we saw. We parked a bit farther away. I enjoyed the quietness of the hiking trail
Written 3 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wr11
Washington state205 contributions
Nov 2015 • Solo
This is a terrific refuge.
Problems-
I was hiking on the nature trails when hike was interrupted by numerous heavy rifle and shotgun blasts - way too close! No knowledgeable hunter would be hunting that close to public road or be that careless in their line of fire.
The refuge is adjoined on the west by an estate [horse ranch?] whose owners were paranoid about possible public access. The nature trails had to be accessed by narrow one lane road due to overly restrictive bounds by this property owner.
Unless your are equipped with serious swamp attire and are carrying a serious weapon of your own, give this a miss.
Problems-
I was hiking on the nature trails when hike was interrupted by numerous heavy rifle and shotgun blasts - way too close! No knowledgeable hunter would be hunting that close to public road or be that careless in their line of fire.
The refuge is adjoined on the west by an estate [horse ranch?] whose owners were paranoid about possible public access. The nature trails had to be accessed by narrow one lane road due to overly restrictive bounds by this property owner.
Unless your are equipped with serious swamp attire and are carrying a serious weapon of your own, give this a miss.
Written 25 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BuddSales
Fort Worth, TX102 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
We visited the Mandalay Refuge while in Houma for Voice of the Wetlands Music Fest. The path was everything you should expect. little standing water and fair amount of gravel to minimize the "mud"..worth every step when you get to observation platform to see the great open water and the birds around it..
Allow 30 to 60 minutes for walk in and out. Some poison ivy along the path so be aware. We had some cheap boots that allowed us to walk in/out without ruining our tennis shoes. Or wear shoes you don't mind washing once done. Mosquito spray before entering..We did see a gray snake run away from us.. some kind of "racer"...
cool place with great birds and trail. and it is FREE...
Allow 30 to 60 minutes for walk in and out. Some poison ivy along the path so be aware. We had some cheap boots that allowed us to walk in/out without ruining our tennis shoes. Or wear shoes you don't mind washing once done. Mosquito spray before entering..We did see a gray snake run away from us.. some kind of "racer"...
cool place with great birds and trail. and it is FREE...
Written 15 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenna A
Houma, LA180 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
This short trail provides some nice views of various native trees, swamp & wildlife. Parking is limited at the end of an apprix. 1/4 mile gravel road but there is no entrance fee. The path gets a little muddy after a heavy rain so wear appropriate footwear. Worth a visit for a short, but wonderful moment in nature.
Written 10 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MooselipsSchenectady
Schenectady70 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
We took the nature trail down the road from Houma. Its nice for a quick bit of bird watching. the foot trail only needs an hour or so, we stopped on the way to the airport. Saw a Yo momma sized cottonmouth!
Written 30 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
singcofarms
17 contributions
Feb 2020
Was nice just to get out for a walk in the bayou. The trail was easy to find and follow. It is a little out of town. The office and the trail are not at the same place.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brenda1100
Philadelphia, PA9 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
We took a boat tour through the Mandalay Refuge yesterday. It was absolutely breathtaking. We saw bald eagles, banana spiders, and alligators. The refuge is peaceful, calm and beautiful.
Written 11 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim A
Cape Breton Island, Canada39 contributions
Sept 2015 • Friends
I was here on a swamp tour via boat and on a "hike" on foot. Very picturesque swamp area but lots of bugs!
Written 8 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lilia U
4 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
I went to the wildlife refuge with my daughter and grand baby on a Weekday. That was a mistake! The fact that it was a weekday meant that there weren't too many visitors and the snakes were just everywhere. We saw at least six of them and one was an approximately 5 foot long water moccasin. Very scary! If I ever go back it's going to be on the weekend with lots of other people around.
Written 23 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There is a portion of the trail that could be utilized by a wheelchair, however only when it has not rained and the trail is very dry. The beginning portion up to the covered bridge which is no more than 1/4 mile I think could be wheelchair accessible. Note that the trail is not paved. It is hard ground with grass grown over it. The trail past the bridge is not as wide and has many tree roots crossing over it making wheelchairs unaccessible. I hope you can enjoy the beauty at Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge. I have seen many birds and wildlife in the beginning portion of the trail. Also be on the lookout on the gravel road to the parking lot, you may see donkeys, turkeys, ducks and other birds like loggerhead shrikes on the wires. Hope this helps!
Written 3 July 2017
are the bayous pollued by fuel or microorganism ?
Written 19 July 2016
Mandalay is free to walk through the trail. Free parking. The trail is approximately 1 mile to the observation deck overlooking a lake. Be aware that the trail does not loop around. One way to the end then turn around and walk back to the parking lot.
Written 3 July 2017
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