The J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert Wildlife Management Area goes by many names. It was formally called the Sicily Island Hills Wildlife Management Area and the Sicily Island Hills State Wildlife Management Area before being renamed to honor J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert. Gilbert was a Louisiana senator that also served on the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. This WMA is often overlooked as a destination for outdoor adventures, especially for anyone looking for new hiking trails to tackle. The trails here are a true hidden gem, and they lead to some incredible places. Let’s check it out:
When you’re looking for a place to get away from it all, you can’t go wrong with this WMA in Louisiana.
Justin P./All Trails
Located in Catahoula Parish, the J.C. Gilbert WMA boasts an impressive 7,524 acres to explore.
Kristopher Guidry/All Trails
There are three different hiking trails here, and each one leads to an impressive sight.
Scott Guidry/All Trails
You’ll want to time your visit just after a rainfall.
Justin P./Google That shouldn’t be hard to do since Louisiana leads the nation in average precipitation with close to 60 inches per year.
It’s a catch-22, because after a rainfall, the trails may be muddy, but it’ll be worth it because…
Justin P./Google
…the trails here lead to Louisiana’s waterfalls!
Ashley Young/All Trails Louisiana’s three waterfalls are all located within this WMA.
Each trail leads to a different waterfall: the St. Mary’s Falls, Rock Falls, and the Sandy Bayou Waterfall are each beautiful in their own way.
KC Temple/All Trails Rock Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state! At 17 feet, that may be just a drip for other states, but we’ll take it! It’s not every day you stumble across a waterfall on a hiking trail in Louisiana, but here, you get three.
Be sure to check out the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries website before heading over, just to make sure the trails are open. Sometimes a hard rain can close the trails for a day or two.
Justin P./All Trails
Kristopher Guidry/All Trails
Scott Guidry/All Trails
Justin P./Google
That shouldn’t be hard to do since Louisiana leads the nation in average precipitation with close to 60 inches per year.
Ashley Young/All Trails
Louisiana’s three waterfalls are all located within this WMA.
KC Temple/All Trails
Rock Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state! At 17 feet, that may be just a drip for other states, but we’ll take it! It’s not every day you stumble across a waterfall on a hiking trail in Louisiana, but here, you get three.
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Address: J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert Wildlife Management Area, Sicily Island, LA 71368, USA
