The Greater Covington Junior Service League started Northlake Nature Center in 1982, and three years later the organization signed a 50-year lease with the state for 52 acres along Bayou Castine. That tract has since grown to 400 acres holding more than eight miles of trail, about 45 minutes from New Orleans.
The land covers three ecosystems: hardwood forest, pine-hardwood forest, and pond-swamp. The ponds in the cypress swamp exist because beavers built them, and a beaver lodge is visible from one of the raised boardwalks. An archaeological survey on the property turned up evidence of a 700-year-old Acolapissa Native American site, which the Center identifies among its areas of cultural interest.
1. Acclimatization Trail
This is the entry point and the one most people walk without going further. The route starts at the parking area and crosses marsh on an elevated boardwalk just off the unpaved lot.
The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible, though users will want somebody along for occasional assistance. Swamp views run the length of it, with a gazebo and interpretive signs along the way, and irises bloom near the beaver pond in season. At the end, walkers can double back to the lot or connect into the rest of the system.
2. Eagle Trail
The Eagle runs closest to the entrance and comes in under a mile, which makes it the natural second leg. From the Acclimatization Trail, a left turn carries walkers past the amphitheater and onto the Eagle.
Part of the route follows a pipeline and power right-of-way. That section sits in full sun while most of the rest of the property stays shaded, so plan around it in summer. The Eagle connects onward to both loop trails, functioning as the spine of the network.
3. South Loop
The South Loop runs between 1.2 and 2.1 miles depending on the source and the exact route taken. It winds through the woods with several turnoffs to scenic points before exiting back onto the right-of-way.
A boardwalk and bridge cross the beaver pond along this loop, which is where most of the wildlife shows up. Birders do well here, and the South Loop is the most walked route on the property. Muddy stretches follow rain. A swamp walk bypass branches off partway and leads to an overlook worth the detour before rejoining the main loop.
4. North Loop
The North Loop adds about 1.75 miles and takes walkers deepest into the property. Combining it with the South Loop makes a 4.4-mile circuit, which is what most full-day visitors end up walking.
Two warnings apply to this one and to the network generally. Signage is poor for getting back, and reviewers including local residents report getting lost and passing other lost groups. Take a photo of the trail map at the entrance before starting. Ticks are the second issue, mentioned often enough to treat as a certainty rather than a risk, so wear long pants and check afterward.
The Center sits at 23135 U.S. Highway 190 in Mandeville, across from Fontainebleau State Park and next to Pelican Park, which manages the trails. Look for the sign on the north side of the highway after crossing Bayou Castine, and turn around if you reach the Pelican Park or Fontainebleau entrances. Trails are open dawn to dusk seven days a week, and dogs are welcome on leash. A canoe launch reaches Bayou Castine, which empties into Lake Pontchartrain. The 31-mile Tammany Trace runs adjacent for anyone who wants to add pavement. Call (985) 626-1238.
