TICKFAW STATE PARK
Strolling through four ecosystems on over a mile of boardwalks through Tickfaw State Park, visitors can experience the sights and sounds of a cypress/tupelo swamp, a bottomland hardwood forest, a mixed pine/hardwood forest and the Tickfaw River.
Periodically the park site serves the region by detaining floodwaters when winter and spring rains overflow the steep banks of the Tickfaw River. These periods of occasional flooding offer a unique opportunity to educate visitors on the importance of periodic flooding in the cycle of life that makes wetlands an invaluable habitat and breeding ground for wildlife and fisheries.
Check posted program schedules for guided hikes on the boardwalks, or you may prefer the more relaxed approach offered during a nature program presentation at one of the three education pavilions and an outdoor amphitheater at the nature center. You can also join a nighttime program, go night hiking or listen to the swamp nightlife from the porch of your vacation cabin.
Bicycle, stroll, or skate the interconnecting park roadways. Rent a canoe and take a fun-filled trip on this unique section of the Tickfaw River. Visitors can bring their own canoes or rent ones supplied by an available canoe vendor. The Water Playground offers refreshing fun for those not quite adventurous enough to explore the swamps and sloughs.
A gift shop in the Nature Center (open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily) offers souvenirs with a local flavor.
Hours of Operation: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. All park sites close at 10 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and days preceding holidays.
Day-UseFishingyes
Hiking Trailyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Water/Electric Sitesyes
Deluxe Cabins 14 available, 2 are ADA compliant, sleeps up to 8 people with 1 double beds, 2 bunk beds and 1 sofa sleeper.
Group Camp Includes dining hall/kitchen and 2 dormitory-style wings, sleeping up to 52 people.
30 Improved Campsites (water and electrical hookup).
20 Unimproved Campsites (water hookup only).
Canoes that can be rented that includes paddles, life jackets.
Tickfaw State Park is located near Denham Springs, Gonzales and Greenwell Springs
Gum Cypress Trail -- 1/2 mile (ADA accessible)
Pine Hardwood Trail -- 1/2 mile
River Overlook/Bottomland Hardwood Trail -- 3/4 mile
River Trail -- 3 miles
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Joyce Wildlife Management Area (2 miles south of Ponchatoula off I-55) - This area is primarily a cypress-tupelo swamp with a small tract of fresh marsh. A boardwalk offers birding and opportunities to view wildlife. Hunting allowed in season.
Global Wildlife Park (26389 Hwy. 40, Folsom, La 70437) - Get eye to eye with giraffes and many other species! 900 acres, more than 200 free-ranging animals, 90-minute guided-covered-wagon tours.
BREC Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center (10503 N. Oak Hills Parkway, Baton Rouge, LA 70810) - Take a unique walk into the Bluebonnet Swamp in the heart of the city. Educational exhibits and a gift shop.
Directions: Take I-12 to the Albany/Springfield exit. Travel 2 miles south on LA 43, merge with LA 42 and continues one mile to the center of Springfield. Turn west on LA 1037 and travel six miles to Patterson Road (across from Woodland Baptist Church), then south 1.2 miles to the park entrance