4.6
(2808)
9,221
hikers
00:18
1.14km
10m
Hiking
Embark on an easy hike along the Blue Goose Trail, a paved path that guides you through a unique brackish marsh and wooded levee. You will pass shrub-scrub thickets and evergreen yaupon holly, eventually reaching the edge of Calcasieu Lake, also known as "Big Lake." This accessible route covers 0.7…
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Includes a movable bridge
Check opening times.
After 156 m for 53 m
Waypoints
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1.14 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
1.14 km
Surfaces
870 m
256 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Monday 25 May
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This route was planned by komoot.
Parking for the Blue Goose Trail is available at the trailhead within the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. You'll find an interpretive kiosk in the parking area, which is a good spot to start your visit.
Yes, this trail is very accessible. It's an easy, paved, one-mile out-and-back path with minimal elevation changes, making it suitable for hikers of all skill levels and accessible to disabled visitors.
The trail features an easy, paved surface that winds through a unique brackish marsh environment and wooded areas. You'll walk along a wooded levee, offering a smooth and pleasant experience.
The Blue Goose Trail is a fantastic spot for wildlife viewing. You can expect to see a wide array of species, including various wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and even diamond-backed terrapins. The refuge is home to over 225 recorded bird species, with excellent opportunities to spot species like Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Reddish Egret, and Greater White-fronted Goose. There's also a wildlife observation platform and a deck with a spotting scope to enhance your viewing experience.
While the trail is open year-round, fall and winter are particularly good for observing songbirds and wintering waterfowl. Spring and fall migration periods are also ideal for catching numerous nearctic songbirds.
The provided information does not specify whether dogs are allowed on the Blue Goose Trail within the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. It's always best to check the official refuge regulations before bringing your pet. You can find more information on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website.
The available information does not indicate that a permit or entrance fee is required for the Blue Goose Trail itself. However, for the most current information regarding the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, it's advisable to check their official website.
Absolutely! The trail leads to the edge of Calcasieu Lake, offering panoramic views of the surrounding brackish marsh and the expansive lake, often called 'Big Lake' by locals. You'll also find a wildlife observation platform overlooking a grit site and an observation deck with a mounted spotting scope near the trailhead, perfect for enhanced wildlife viewing.
Yes, the route also passes through sections of the Moorhead River Corridor Trail, the Fargo River Trail, the Red River Primitive Trail, and the United States Bicycle Route 20 (Minnesota).
The Blue Goose Trail is approximately 1.14 kilometers (about 0.7 miles) long and typically takes around 17 minutes to complete as an out-and-back hike, depending on your pace and how much time you spend observing wildlife.
The Blue Goose Trail is open year-round from dawn until dusk, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife during daylight hours.