Rivers and protected areas

A distinctive natural connection to Union is the D’Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge. It lies in Ouachita and Union Parishes on both sides of Bayou D’Arbonne, near its confluence with the Ouachita River. The bayou runs through the refuge for 13 miles and is part of the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers System. The river, confluence and refuge give the landscape here a clear geographic framework.

The D’Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 17,500 acres of cypress swamps and forests. Along Highway 143, it has seven access points with parking. As road access may change, check current access information before visiting.

Another sense of scale can be found at Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge, on the western edge of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. It encompasses more than 53,000 acres of cypress swamps and forests. The acreage figures are easy to compare: more than 17,500 acres at D’Arbonne Refuge and more than 53,000 acres at Upper Ouachita Refuge. Hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and wildlife photography are possible at both.

Experience water and landscape

Lake D’Arbonne State Park offers a different landscape: The 655-acre park includes pine forests, rolling hills and five fishing piers. The Bayou D’Arbonne Trail can be paddled by kayak or canoe beneath cypress trees. This offers two distinct ways to enjoy the water: fishing from the park’s piers and paddling along the trail beneath the trees. The landscapes described range from pine forest and rolling terrain to cypress swamps and wooded banks.

Museums, monument and harvest festival

The Union Museum of History and Art aims to promote understanding of history, culture and art. At the Bernice Depot Museum, you’ll encounter railroad history and specific dates: The museum is a restored railroad depot dating to 1899. It also includes the wooden caboose from 1938 called The Captain Henderson. The depot and the car represent two distinct railroad artifacts, connected by their history and shared museum setting.

At Farmerville Cemetery, a monument stands at the grave of Miles Farmer. The Louisiana Legislature had it erected in 1855. Its location at the grave and the year it was erected place this monument in a specific historical context.

The Louisiana Watermelon Festival takes place annually on the last weekend of July in Farmerville and celebrates pride in the harvest. Saturday’s program includes size and quality competitions for watermelons, a parade, a watermelon auction and the Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival Pageant. As program details may change, check the information for the festival weekend in question beforehand.

More destinations by interest

About 25 miles east of Farmerville lies Alabama Landing, a destination for fishing, boating and picnicking. This offers three different activities tied to a specific location. Lake D’Arbonne Country Club is a golf course near Lake D’Arbonne and has a clubhouse. If you’re considering a visit, check current public access beforehand.

Discover more destinations: Farmerville, St. Landry Parish, Lafourche Parish, Pointe Coupee Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Ouachita, Allen, Caddo.

Return to the main travel overview: Louisiana.