Tucked away in the rolling hills of St. Francisville, Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is a hidden gem for nature lovers. It was established in 2000, making it one of the more recent additions to the National Wildlife Refuge network, but even though it’s “new,” it’s home to some of the oldest trees in the United States. There’s one particular tree that you just have to see to believe and that’s the National Champion, the largest bald cypress tree in the entire country.
One very important thing to know about this refuge is that due to its location, it floods a lot.
Wikimedia/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region - Pintail Lane at Cat Island NWR Both the Mississippi River and Bayou Sara surround the refuge, and since this area doesn’t have levees, it often floods. You’ll want to check the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website before you head over, just to make sure the roads are clear.
The 9,623-acre refuge is home to countless critters, covering everything from bobcats and minks to the Louisiana black bear.
Amber Laviolette Braun/Google Of course, you’ll also find your more common critters including white-tailed deer, wood ducks, red-eared sliders, and many other species.
The Bald Cypress Trail is less than a mile long, and both kid and dog-friendly.
Laura LeBon/Google It’s a quick and easy hike, that’s for sure.
You won’t have to wonder if you passed up the tree.
Caren Pourciau/Google It’s impossible to miss.
This tree is not only the largest bald cypress tree in the United States, but it’s the largest tree east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Gretchen Gottfried/All Trails And the sixth largest tree in the whole country. Pretty impressive when you remember California’s redwoods!
There is a sign nearby the tree, but according to the FWS website, it may need an update.
Caren Pourciau/Google Seems this tree has grown quite a bit since the sign was put up. Here are some numbers to show you how big this thing really is:
96 feet tall
56 feet in circumference
17 feet in diameter
And roughly 1,500 years old! And clearly still growing!
It’s definitely worth taking a day trip to explore. For more information, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website.
Wikimedia/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region - Pintail Lane at Cat Island NWR
Both the Mississippi River and Bayou Sara surround the refuge, and since this area doesn’t have levees, it often floods. You’ll want to check the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website before you head over, just to make sure the roads are clear.
Amber Laviolette Braun/Google
Of course, you’ll also find your more common critters including white-tailed deer, wood ducks, red-eared sliders, and many other species.
Laura LeBon/Google
It’s a quick and easy hike, that’s for sure.
Caren Pourciau/Google
It’s impossible to miss.
Gretchen Gottfried/All Trails
And the sixth largest tree in the whole country. Pretty impressive when you remember California’s redwoods!
Seems this tree has grown quite a bit since the sign was put up. Here are some numbers to show you how big this thing really is:
96 feet tall
56 feet in circumference
17 feet in diameter
And roughly 1,500 years old! And clearly still growing!
There’s more than one tree in Louisiana with a claim to fame. On the other side of the state, you can paddle out to the Castle Tree, a close runner-up for the largest bald cypress tree contest.
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Address: Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge, Creek Rd, St Francisville, LA 70775, USA
