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Northlake Nature Center
4.6 ★★★★★ 287 Google reviews · Running trail in Mandeville, Louisiana · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Northlake Nature Center's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Trails and boardwalks for viewing gators and other animals, plus a canoe launch.
What runners say about Northlake Nature Center
“There are clean port-a-John’s at the beginning of the trail and the trails themselves are really clean.”
“Some trails seemed blocked off and less usable than the past, but that doesn't detract from what makes this place beautiful and a great place to spend your day or a few hours.”
“This is a lovely nature center with boardwalk trails, well-marked greenery, lovely ponds with many turtles.”
It has been a few years since I've been here. Some trails seemed blocked off and less usable than the past, but that doesn't detract from what makes this place beautiful and a great place to spend your day or a few hours. After a rain, I used to go to the North Loop Trail and walk through the mud barefoot.
This is a great place to take a walk. The trails are nice, You go along some water and back through the woods. There is a nice bike trail and a kayak launch, what more could you want!? There is all sorts of wildlife to take in if you are observant.
I love the trails and the posted information. You can see all types of flowers and animals. The trails are well marked and well taken care of. There is a canoe dock and you just might get to see baby alligators . There are so many trails you can make your visit different every time.
Well maintained place. A nice escape into nature. Lots of boardwalks, but there are some dirt trails as well. Use the map because it’s easy to get lost. Didn’t see any wildlife but I am sure there is plenty out there.
Trail conditions & character
“It has a boardwalk that overlooks a louisiana scenery, have your bug spray on (i mean cmon you're in the woods), various trails, and there's a map to show which is good for what.”
“It has a boardwalk that overlooks a louisiana scenery, have your bug spray on (i mean cmon you're in the woods), various trails, and there's a map to show which is good for what.”
“After a rain, I used to go to the North Loop Trail and walk through the mud barefoot.”
“It’s not fancy - just a porta-potty and a simple trail map, but that simplicity adds to the charm.”
“This is a lovely nature center with boardwalk trails, well-marked greenery, lovely ponds with many turtles.”
Plan your run at Northlake Nature Center
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitenorthlakenature.org
- Phone(985) 626-1238
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–8 PM |
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