The Bogue Chitto (Choctaw for "large stream) National Wildlife Reserve follows the banks of the Pearl River, West Pearl Rivers and Bogue Chitto River and the great river basin. This NWR covers over 36 thousand acres filled with natures wonders.
Visitors may see a variety of endangered or highly guarded wildlife that call this area home among them: Ringed-sawback turtle, American alligator, gopher tortoise, inflated heel-splitter mussel and the Gulf sturgeon. The swallow-tailed kite is a species of special concern on Bogue Chitto NWR. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was de-listed as a threatened species in 2007. Bald eagles visit the refuge each year. Other Wildlife Species: White-tailed Deer, turkey, neo-tropical birds, rabbit, raccoon, wild hogs, a variety of snakes, mink, skunks, wading birds and waterfowl.
A vast range of forest encompasses this area from pine woods to stands of bald cypress and tupelo gum in the sloughs. Most of the refuge is defined as bottomland hardwood forest, laced with wetlands. This refuge is commonly inundated with flood waters from the rivers.
Most of these areas are only accessible by boat from the three locks off of Hwy 41, north of Slidell but they have added a new hiking trail not far from the most southern point of the refuge. To get to Holmes Bayou Trail, take I-59 exit 11 "Pearl River turnaround" and turn west.
Additionally, Bogue Chitto State Park has just opened in Washington Parish. Seven miles of hiking trails, 14 miles of horse trails and a canoe and boat launch into the river. Wat to fish while there? Several ponds stocked with bass await your bait!
The Bogue Chitto Holmes Bayou Trail is only 10 minutes from Woodridge Bed and Breakfast. To see more of the refuge, bring your boat, Lock 1 only a 15 mile trip through the Town of Pearl River. Or for a day trip, you can launch in the Pearl at exit 5 or 11 and travel up river. Woodridge is only 30 minutes north of New Orleans - so make your adventure complete - city, country, wild life all packed in a great getaway.
This and that about SE Louisiana & S. Mississippi from the Innkeeper of Woodridge Bed and Breakfast of Louisiana Slidell, New Orleans New Orleans Northshore - Nature and much more!
