Banner image of lady artist painting the pond in front of the Visitor's Center. 

About Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

The REFUGE is always open during daylight hours regardless of the open or shut status of the buildings. 
The Visitor Center will be open subject to volunteer availability on: 
     Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 9 am - 4 pm, Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm and Sundays 1 pm -4 pm. 
The Conservation Learning Center will be open subject to volunteer availability on: 
     Mondays 9 am - 1 pm, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 9 am - 4 pm, Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm and Sundays 1 pm -4 pm. 
   MORE INFO>>

About Friends of Black Bayou, Inc ("FoBB")
​Nonprofit Group

Mission Statement of Friends of Black Bayou, Inc. (2012)
The Friends of Black Bayou, Inc., is committed to community stewardship of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and by extension the entire National Wildlife Refuge System, through conservation and restoration of the natural environment as well as increased public awareness, appreciation, education, and responsible recreational use.

Goals of Friends of Black Bayou, Inc.
  • Conserve the wildlife resources of the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  • Provide assistance for Refuge programs encouraging wildlife conservation and education
  • Provide advocacy for the Refuge as needed
  • Increase public awareness and education about the Refuge through responsible use of various media
  • Raise money for Refuge programs and other Refuge needs

Objectives of Friends of Black Bayou, Inc.
  • Increase membership numbers
  • Increase volunteer participation
  • Increase monetary contributions
  • Increase educational opportunities for the public (schools, teachers, public officials, and other individuals and families)
  • Continue publications and media contacts
  • Continue support activities (clean-up activities, construction as needed, Refuge planning as needed, sales of merchandise that amplify and extend Refuge experience, volunteer activities as Refuge docents and other laborers, etc.)
  • Continue participation in National Wildlife Refuge Association
  • Continue participation in Louisiana and National Wildlife Federation (LWF and NWF)
Complete organizational by-laws can be found here.


​About Black Bayou Lake NWR

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge opened in July 1997, and the Friends of Black Bayou group came into existence in August 1997.

The Refuge consists of 5,300 acres including a 1,700-acre lake and beautiful wetlands. The Visitor Center was originally a planter’s home built in the 1880s and renovated by the Friends of Black Bayou. 

The Conservation Learning Center is a building separate from the Visitor Center; it provides excellent wildlife and conservation education to the public. Besides a well-equipped classroom, there are live wildlife exhibits, including aquariums with some of the area's freshwater fish like bass and gar. There are also live (non-venomous) snakes in safe displays, so people can learn about snakes. There are also small alligators and turtles in their own display in the corner of the room, in an enclosure that is safe for both visitors and animals.
Some of the opportunities for visitors to Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge include the following:
  • Visitor Center with excellent interactive displays and a gift shop
  • Conservation Learning Center, complete with educational classroom and live wildlife displays
  • ​School field trips 
  • Wetlands ponds area
  • Birdwatching/Photography Blinds
  • 1200-foot wildlife observation pier 
  • Observation deck 
  • Mile-long nature trail (paved and boardwalk) through wetlands
  • Eight miles of rustic trails
  • Arboretum 
  • Amphitheater
  • Wildflower and prairie area with concrete walkways
  • Butterfly gardens
  • Hunting area (brochures with regulations available)
  • Boat launch/fishing
  • Canoe and kayak rentals 
  • and many other opportunities for wildlife observation, education, photography and more.

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located 7 miles
north of I-20, about 2 miles north of Brookshires, off US Hwy 165. 
And one more thing about us....we're on FaceBook, too! 
Birds, Butterflies, Alligators, Fish, Turtles, Deer, Raccoons, Armadillo, Snakes, Foxes, and lots more wild animals make their home here.  The folks at the NWR have some great information about the refuge.
Bass in aquarium
See wildlife up close and personal in the Conservation Learning Center at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Please make any donation checks payable to Friends of Black Bayou, Inc. 
Inclusion and Diversity Statement  Friends of Black Bayou, Inc. nonprofit group is working toward being a truly inclusive, diverse organization. We reject racism in all forms and embrace cultural and economic diversity. We have much progress still to make to reflect the diversity of our area. Although we are directing our outreach to better reflect diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), we understand we need to continue to improve and therefore commit to examining all activities from a DEI perspective.
We want all to feel welcome and safe when they visit the Refuge. We all need its quiet, its beauty, and its peace. We invite your ideas as to how to make nature’s solace available to all people, regardless of color, religion, gender identification, age or ethnicity.