A Nature Lover’s Guide to Houma, Louisiana
When most people think of Louisiana’s Bayou Country, they picture cypress trees, winding waterways and maybe even an alligator or two. But for birders, photographers, hikers and anyone who finds peace outdoors, Houma offers something even more rewarding: a chance to experience one of the country’s most ecologically diverse landscapes at your own pace.
Stretching from freshwater swamps to coastal marshes along the Mississippi Flyway, Terrebonne Parish is home to hundreds of bird species and countless opportunities to reconnect with nature. Whether you’re an avid birder with binoculars in hand or simply looking for a peaceful morning outdoors, here’s where to start.
Walk Among the Wetlands at Mandalay Nature Trail
If you’re looking for an easy introduction to Louisiana’s wetlands, start at Mandalay Nature Trail.
This easy, less-than-one-mile trail winds through cypress-tupelo forest before opening onto an elevated boardwalk overlooking thousands of acres of marsh. The trail is known for its peaceful setting and abundant wildlife, making it one of the area’s best places to spot birds without venturing far from town.
Keep an eye (and ear) out for:
- Great Blue Herons
- Great Egrets
- White Ibises
- Belted Kingfishers
- Red-shouldered Hawks
- Prothonotary Warblers (spring)
- Yellow-rumped Warblers (winter)
- Various woodpeckers and songbirds
Don’t be surprised if an alligator quietly surfaces nearby or turtles bask on fallen logs. Nature sets the pace here.
Insider Tip: Visit within two hours of sunrise for cooler temperatures, active wildlife and beautiful golden light for photography.
Bird the Mississippi Flyway at Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area
For serious birders, Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area is worth the drive.
Located about 15 miles southeast of Houma, this 35,000-acre coastal wetland provides critical habitat for migratory birds traveling the Mississippi Flyway. Two dedicated birding decks overlook expansive marshes where visitors regularly observe waterfowl, wading birds, raptors and shorebirds throughout the year.
Depending on the season, you may spot:
- Roseate Spoonbills
- Great and Snowy Egrets
- Great Blue Herons
- Bald Eagles
- White Pelicans
- Ducks and teal during migration
- Marsh wrens and rails
The landscape changes with the seasons, making every visit a little different.
Let the Bayou Be Your Guide
Some of the best wildlife viewing doesn’t happen on a trail—it happens on the water.
Whether you choose a guided swamp tour or paddle your own kayak, exploring Houma’s bayous offers a front-row seat to nature. Spanish moss drapes from ancient oaks, turtles slide from logs into the water and birds soar overhead while cypress knees rise from the swamp below.
Kayaking allows you to move quietly through the marsh, often leading to closer encounters with wildlife than you might experience on land.
Bring:
- Binoculars
- A camera with a zoom lens
- Plenty of water
- Insect repellent
- Your sense of adventure
Slow Down and Listen
Birding isn’t always about what you see.
Sometimes it’s about stopping long enough to hear the trill of a Carolina Wren, the call of a Red-shouldered Hawk or the splash of a fish breaking the water’s surface.
Take a seat on a boardwalk bench. Watch the marsh grass sway. Listen as the wetlands wake up around you.
In Bayou Country, nature rewards those who aren’t in a hurry.
Make It a Full Day Outdoors
Nature lovers can easily build a full day exploring Louisiana’s Bayou Country.
Morning
- Walk Mandalay Nature Trail
- Watch the wetlands come alive at sunrise
Midday
- Enjoy lunch at a local seafood restaurant in Houma. Visit the Bayou Country Crawfish Trail for a full list of local spots.
Afternoon
- Drive south to Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area
- Stop at the birding decks to observe coastal wildlife
Sunset
- End the day with a swamp tour or kayak paddle through the bayou