Will I see alligators year-round? Will I be safe? What about mosquitos? Thousands of people visit Alligator Bayou each year, and many of them are kind enough to send thank-you letters. Here are a few of our favorites.



SCHOOL TOURS: HANDS-ON EDUCATION

Look at those smiles!
Louisiana’s most historic wetland habitat is the perfect place to learn about and celebrate history, biology and swamp ecology. Some 10,000 students visit us each year from all parts of Louisiana and neighboring states.

Alligator Bayou, located in the 17,000-acre Spanish Lake Basin, is on the Mississippi River Flyway, so this habitat teems with life. Students get acquainted with resident and migratory birds, nutria, gators, snakes, the cycles of the swamp and the importance of preserving the wilderness.

In this living classroom, all students can touch and pet several interesting swamp creatures.

The fenced and covered Alligator Queen is appropriate for all ages and is also handicap friendly. Tours on our 49-passenger boat are available year-round and scheduling is flexible.

Alligator Bayou winds into the 13,000-acre Spanish Lake Basin and a wetland habitat of bayous, swamps and lakes. This unique tour will take you deep into the heart of Louisiana swamps.
Walk through our 6 acre alligator eco-habitat, see our huge alligator snapping turtles in their habitat complete with frogs, fish and a few surprises, plus we've got cajun cottages, canoe rentals, gift shop and more.
The colors and textures of the swamp are some of the most amazing scenes you will ever see.
Stop by and shop for awhile. Located in the Alligator Bayou Bait Shop (and complete with snake and gator exhibits), the Duck's Nest Shoppe features unique, one-of-a-kind gifts made by Louisiana craftspeople.
Our bayou-side pavilion is the perfect place for your "fais do do." Let us design a unique and unforgettable wedding, banquet or party, with or without a swamp tour.
Louisiana's most historic wetlands habitat is the perfect place to learn about and celebrate history, biology and swamp ecology.
Located in Louisiana's Plantation Country, the Spanish Lake Basin is bordered by Bayou Manchac, an Indian short-cut from the Mississippi River to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico.
In 1993, the co-owners of Alligator Bayou Tours learned that hundreds of acres of bottomland hardwoods in the Spanish Lake Basin would be cut for lumber. This valuable habitat was saved by Frank Bonifay, Jim Ragland and community members working in cooperation with local, state and federal government.
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Lesson Plans For Teachers:

Alligator Bayou Tours offers school groups an exciting learning opportunity. Students of all ages are invited to enjoy an in-depth experience of Louisiana history, culture, ecology and wildlife while learning how to preserve this precious resource for their own children and future generations.

“Reclaiming Our Heritage: An Educator’s Guide to Alligator Bayou & The Spanish Lake Basin” was created by Alligator Bayou and Bluff Swamp Wildlife Refuge through the support of the Lake Ponchartrain Basin Foundation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It was written for middle and high school students, but is adaptable to students of all ages. Each chapter features an introductory overview, diagrams and charts on a variety of lessons built around language, math, social studies and earth science.

Curriculum guides are available with your tour.



    Tour Guide Jim Ragland performs an experiment on eco-conservation.

    Your visit can also include:
  • Informative and fun presentations
    complete with hands-on lessons
  • Special presentations on Native American, Cajun
    and other Louisiana cultures, music, ecology and science
  • Bag lunches on the bayou-side pavilion
  • One-pot meals such as jambalaya, gumbo,
    etouffeé or red beans & rice.
  • Wildlife rehabilitator with live birds








    • ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES: To run concurrently with the tour

    "It was a really good hands-on learning experience for the children. We experienced so many different things--plants and animals, the music, the history of zydeco. All of the children had a great time. They said it was awesome. It's the biggest outdoor classroom I've ever been to."

    Laurell Cliburn,
    Teacher & Trip Coordinator
    Forest Heights Elementary School


    CHOICE OF ONE:

    • WILDLIFE REHABILITATION PRESENTATION
      A licensed rehabilitator gives a presentation for approximately 45 minutes to one hour. There are animals included in this presentation.
    • AFRICAN-AMERICAN STORYTELLING AND DOLLMAKING
      An African-American dollmaker talks about her life and heritage and shares her experiences through doll making.
    • CAJUN DANCERS
      One to three couples, in costume, demonstrate Cajun dancing to the children and give them lessons.
    • TURTLE AND ALLIGATOR EXHIBITS
      A visit to the 2800 gallon Alligator Snapping Turtle Exhibit and the 10 acre Alligator Pit with staff naturalists along the viewing boardwalk.

    Swamp Lessons
    Our bayou side pavillion is perfect for lunch.

    Swamp Lessons
    Hands-on swamp lessons

    Kids And The Crawfish Trap
    The kids pull up a cage full of crawfish and a wriggling Louisiana snake!

    Kids And A Turtle
    The children are delighted with the size
    of this big turtle.

    Future Conservationists?
    Future conservationists?


    Kids And A Turtle
    Look at these babies.



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