4 Reasons to Visit Lake Martin and Cypress Island Nature Preserve

Lake Martin is an 800-acre lake located inside the Cypress Island Preserve, just seven miles from Lafayette in southern Louisiana. It’s a beautiful swampy ecosystem teeming with wildlife and unique vegetation that is loved by locals and thousands of visitors every year. The preserve includes over 9,500 acres of bottomland hardwood forest habitat and cypress-and-tupelo swamp and is easily accessed by car.

Birds and Other Wildlife

The flooded forest is home to the largest nesting colony of waterbirds in Louisiana and is regularly listed as one of the best places to view birds in the country. Packed with over 200 species, visitors can expect to see species such as great blue heron, roseate spoonbill, white ibis, and the snowy egret.
Private bird watching tours are available for eager birders upon request.

There are also lots of other wildlife viewing opportunities within the preserve including snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs, and alligators that can grow up to 14ft long.

Walking Trail

Day-trippers can also enjoy a scenic five-mile walking trail that goes around the lake. Starting at the visitor center, the short and easy hike allows visitors to soak in all the natural beauty of the ancient lower Mississippi River valley.

The trail is suitable for people of all ages, including children, and is closed between June and October during alligator nesting season.

Local Swamp Tours

There are also multiple local operators offering swamp tours where experienced guides will share their knowledge about the area and help visitors spot wildlife. There will be lots of photo opportunities while passing under the beautiful and mysterious groves of Spanish moss-covered old-growth cypress and oaks.

Lake Activities

For the outdoor enthusiast, there is lots of fun to be had on the water. Canoe and kayak rentals are available and give visitors the opportunity to view the local vegetation and maybe even some wildlife while weaving their way through the dense water plants out on the lake. Plus, fisherman can try their luck at reeling in one of the lakes’ many fish species, including largemouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie, and bluegill bream.

The preserve is managed and protected by the Nature Conservancy of Louisiana who does a great job of maintaining the lake and surrounding forest so visitors can enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the area. The visitor center is open from 10 am until 4 pm on weekends and Wednesday through to Sunday during busy times.

This truly is a unique and wild area of southern Louisiana that is worth the visit. Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, stop by and visit Service Chevrolet Cadillac in nearby Lafayette. Our friendly team will be more than happy to show you our large inventory of vehicles and set you up with a test drive.

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