Lake Martin Levee Trail

Note: This trail is closed June 1-October 1. Beginning in late January, thousands of Great Egrets, followed by Little Blue Herons, Cattle Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Roseate Spoonbills make their nests and rear their young in the rookery. Great Blue Herons and Neotropic Cormorants may be seen in the distant tree tops. Expect a spectacular rookery view from March through June. The 2.5-mile walking levee trail is open from the fall to the spring and is suitable for children. Because this remarkable natural area is easily accessible and affords visitors with incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, the Cypress Island Preserve receives thousands of visitors a year from all over the world. Please visit the boardwalk and Visitor Center with picnic pavilion where Rookery Road meets LA Hwy 353. The Visitor Center is generally open from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm on weekends year-round and during the week from Wednesday through Sunday during the busy springtime. Please call first for current hours at (337) 342-2475 and/or if you are interested in volunteer opportunities at the preserve, including working with a team of docents to staff the Visitor Center. The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana's goal is to restore 20,000-acres of natural cypress-tupelo swamp and bottomland hardwood forest, in order to support a diverse array of indigenous species of plants and wildlife. The conservancy offers a community gathering place and education about the natural wonders of Louisiana in the Visitor Center. -Dogs and other pets are not permitted off of levee trail. Because of the heat, alligators, and other natural pests, it is not recommended to bring pets with you while you visit. - Do not collect, remove, injure, damage, or destroy any artifact or mineral or any animal living or dead. -No hunting, trapping, fishing, or discharge of firearms is allowed in the preserve. Fishing is allowed in the open water in Lake Martin. -No camping is allowed. -Absolutely no fires are allowed, and smoking is not permitted in the preserve. -Do not litter. -No permanent photography blinds may be constructed. Portable blinds are allowed, but please remove them when you leave. -Do not scatter feed or seed of any kind. Do not use taped calls to attract wildlife. -Keep your vehicle locked at all times, and do not leave equipment or valuables in your vehicle. Do not leave equipment unattended anywhere on the preserve. -Leave the preserve before darkness falls. -Please respect the rights of adjacent landowners. Do not trespass. Do not block neighbor's driveways. Please do not use any entrance other than the ones designed for the preserve.