St. Tammany Parish: River Landscapes, Marshes and Culture

Marshland, riverbanks and trails give St. Tammany Parish a variety of faces. Along the Tchefuncte River, nature trails and freshwater fishing take center stage; at Big Branch Marsh, wetlands and forest habitats shape the landscape. Museums, historic buildings and a brewery complement the natural experiences with culture and local history.

Riverbanks, Marshes and Nature Trails

Fairview-Riverside State Park stretches across 99 acres along the Tchefuncte River. Its nature trail follows the river, and freshwater fishing is possible in the park from both the shore and a boat. This brings together a waterside trail and an activity on the river, without requiring you to seek out different areas of interest.

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge covers more than 18,000 acres. It includes freshwater and brackish marshes, bald cypress–tupelo forests, bayous, hardwood forest islands and pine savannas. The higher-elevation habitats serve as a resting area for migratory birds and as habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The route begins with a half-mile self-guided boardwalk; the round trip to Bayou Lacombe is four miles long. The Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center in Lacombe offers exhibits, maps and a nature shop.

Northlake Nature Center on Bayou Castine in St. Tammany Parish is also a nature destination; it has expanded to 400 acres. Global Wildlife Center in Folsom is a 900-acre safari park with free-roaming animals in St. Tammany Parish. Together with the marsh and forest habitats, these places offer different ways to experience the region’s nature.

Homes, Music History and Museums

Otis House was built in the 1880s as the home of the family of sawmill owner William Theodore Jay. Otis House Museum offers tours on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; the schedule may change. Check tour times before your visit.

Dew Drop Social and Benevolent Hall opened in 1895 in what is now Old Mandeville. It may be the world’s oldest unaltered rural jazz hall. Its history makes it a destination in its own right for anyone interested in the area’s cultural history as well as its landscapes.

Maritime Museum Louisiana in Madisonville displays models and replicas of lighthouses from Louisiana, including the Tchefuncte River Lighthouse. The interactive ShipTracks exhibit lets visitors track the real-time movements of modern cargo ships, historic trade routes and regional ship traffic. This connects maritime history with a glimpse of shipping activity.

A Brewery and Trails Through the Region

Abita Brewing Company was founded in 1986 and describes itself as the oldest craft brewery in the southeastern United States and one of the oldest craft breweries in the United States. It offers guided and self-guided tours where visitors can learn about the brewing process. Guided tours last 30 minutes and include four 4-ounce beer tastings. Check the details before your trip.

The Tammany Trace is a paved, 31-mile Rails-to-Trails route on the Northshore that connects five communities. It follows the former Illinois Central Railroad corridor from downtown Covington through Abita Springs, Mandeville and Lacombe to Slidell. The Trace is suitable for biking, walking and inline skating. By comparison, the Boy Scout Road Trail round trip to Bayou Lacombe is considerably shorter at four miles; you can choose a route based on its length and the activity you have in mind.

Choose your accommodations based on the destinations you actually plan to visit. If you’re planning a tour at a set time, it’s worth checking the latest information before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Mandeville, Slidell, Pearl River, Plaquemines Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Calcasieu Parish, Vernon, Bossier Parish.

For the broader travel overview: Louisiana.