General Information

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. The refuges in southwest Louisiana are representative of the rich and varied habitat and wildlife resources of the Louisiana coastal region.

The more than 184,000 acres of land contained within boundaries of the three National Wildlife Refuges in southwest Louisiana supports numerous species of wildlife. Each of these refuges was created to support, protect, and provide winter habitat for migratory waterfowl and geese. Typical waterfowl species include gadwall, green-winged teal, northern shoveler, northern pintail and ring-neck duck. Typical geese species include the greater white-fronted goose and the snow goose. However, winter is not the only time these areas provide habitat to waterfowl. Mottled ducks and fulvous whistling-ducks nest and raise young on the three refuges. Mottled ducks are the only duck species, however, to spend the entire year living on the refuges. We know the ducks benefit from the 287 square miles of land set aside within the Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex and we hope you enjoy your next visit to a National Wildlife Refuge too.

The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex' headquarters, which includes a visitor center with boardwalks and wildlife drive is located in Bell City , LA on Highway 27 twenty-five miles SE of Lake Charles. Watch for the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge signs.

Visitor Center hours are 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday and 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on Saturday.