Union: Nature, Water and History

D’Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge lies in Ouachita and Union Parishes on both sides of Bayou D’Arbonne, near its confluence with the Ouachita River. The bayou runs through the refuge for 13 miles and is part of the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers System. The confluence and river course provide specific points of reference for this natural area.

Protected Areas, Forests and Waterways

D’Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 17,500 acres of cypress swamps and forests. Along Highway 143, it has seven access points with parking areas. As road access may change, check access conditions before driving. Hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and wildlife photography are permitted in the refuge.

Lake D’Arbonne State Park offers a different landscape, with 655 acres, pine forests, and rolling hills. The park also has five fishing piers. You can paddle a kayak or canoe beneath cypress trees on the Bayou D’Arbonne Trail. The area’s water and nature activities offer several options: fishing from the piers, wildlife watching in the refuge, or a paddling trip on the bayou.

Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge lies on the western edge of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley and encompasses more than 53,000 acres of cypress swamps and forests. Hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and wildlife photography are also permitted there. The two refuges offer similar activities, but can be located geographically using different points of reference: Bayou and the confluence for D’Arbonne Refuge, and the edge of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley for Upper Ouachita Refuge.

Lake D’Arbonne Country Club is a golf course near Lake D’Arbonne and has a clubhouse. If you plan to visit, check current public access in advance.

History, Museums and Festival Traditions

The Union Museum of History and Art aims to promote understanding of history, culture, and art. The Bernice Depot Museum complements these subjects with a restored 1899 railroad depot. The museum also includes the wooden caboose car The Captain Henderson, built in 1938. The depot and car bring two different dates and forms of railroad history together in one museum setting.

A specific historic site in Farmerville is its cemetery: at Miles Farmer’s grave stands a monument commissioned by the Louisiana Legislature in 1855. The grave, monument, and year it was commissioned make this site a distinct part of local history.

The Louisiana Watermelon Festival takes place annually on the last weekend in July in Farmerville and celebrates pride in the harvest. Saturday’s program includes watermelon size and quality contests, a parade, a watermelon auction, and the Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival Pageant. Check the dates and program of the festival taking place during your trip.

More Activities for Planning Your Trip

Alabama Landing is about 25 miles east of Farmerville and is a destination for fishing, boating, and picnicking. The approximate distance provides a reference for planning without specifying a particular travel time. This makes it possible to complement a stay focused on the festival or local history with activities on the water.

Then compare the locations of the hotels you are considering with the places on your itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Farmerville, Bossier Parish, St. Mary Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Lafayette County, St. Martin Parish, Franklin, St. Bernard Parish.

For the main travel overview: Louisiana.