Global Wildlife Center
The Global Wildlife Center is a free-roaming wildlife preserve. Visitors find it 13 mi east of Independence. Weather is mildest over February, March, April, October, November and December, with 63–80°F highs.
A zoo & aquarium, 13 mi east of Independence
Hammond is the nearest base
Hammond is 13 miles southwest, with 25 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
Best months: Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov and Dec
February, March, April, October, November and December are the mild months, with highs of 63–80°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures and Wikipedia.
Weather, month by month
Each month’s highs and lows around Global Wildlife Center are below.
Global Wildlife Center
The Global Wildlife Center is a free-roaming wildlife preserve in Folsom, Louisiana. It is situated on a 900 acres (360 ha) preserve and hosts about 1000 animals. Visitors tour the facility in covered safari wagons or private 4x4 vehicles accompanied by a tour guide who teaches about animal facts and behaviors, habitat, conservation, and more.
Following founder Ken Matherne’s death in the fall of 2021, daughter Maci Matherne took over management.
- Type
- Zoo & aquarium
- Wikipedia readers
- 1.1K a year
Where to base yourself for Global Wildlife Center
The closest towns with hotels, motels or campgrounds are Hammond (25) and Covington (11), and New Orleans has the most rooms in the area (399).
Hammond
The closest town with somewhere to stay.
24,032 people
13 mi southwest of Global Wildlife Center
New Orleans
The most places to stay in the area, and a base for a longer trip.
362,154 people
45 mi southeast of Global Wildlife Center
Compare 9 towns
| Town | From Global Wildlife Center | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | 13 mi southwest | 20 min | 25 19 hotels · 3 motels · 3 inns & B&Bs | 24,032 | $221K | D− |
| Covington | 15 mi southeast | 20 min | 11 7 hotels · 4 inns & B&Bs | 11,721 | $295K | B− |
| Mandeville | 20 mi southeast | 30 min | 9 3 hotels · 6 inns & B&Bs | 12,918 | $376K | B− |
| Natalbany | 13 mi southwest | 20 min | 3 2 hotels · 1 inn or B&B | 2,416 | $151K | — |
| Abita Springs | 19 mi southeast | 30 min | 5 2 hotels · 1 lodge or cabins · 2 RV parks | 2,753 | $269K | — |
| Amite City | 15 mi northwest | 25 min | 3 3 hotels | 4,081 | $113K | — |
| Franklinton | 17 mi northeast | 25 min | 3 1 inn or B&B · 2 campgrounds | 3,576 | $189K | — |
| Ponchatoula | 16 mi southwest | 25 min | 2 1 hotel · 1 lodge or cabins | 7,755 | $200K | C− |
| New Orleans | 45 mi southeast | 1 hr | 399 269 hotels · 11 motels · 94 inns & B&Bs · 5 lodges & cabins · 10 hostels · 2 campgrounds · 8 RV parks | 362,154 | $316K | — |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Beyond Global Wildlife Center
These well-known sights sit within 56 miles.
Big draw48 mi Stadium & arenaCaesars Superdome
Big draw32 mi LakeLake Pontchartrain
56 mi Stadium & arenaTiger Stadium
55 mi MuseumUSS Kidd
49 mi MuseumNational World War II Museum707K visitors a year
46 mi MuseumWhitney Plantation Historic District
48 mi LandmarkFort Macomb
44 mi Stadium & arenaLakefront ArenaPhoto credits
Caesars Superdome: Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Lake Pontchartrain: Mersh13, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Tiger Stadium: Daniel Foster, CC BY-SA 2.0 · USS Kidd: Cobatfor, CC BY-SA 3.0 · National World War II Museum: Nolabob, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Whitney Plantation Historic District: Bill Leiser, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fort Macomb: Infrogmation, CC BY 2.5 · Lakefront Arena: Spatms, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Asked about Global Wildlife Center
What town is Global Wildlife Center near?
Independence, LA, about 13 miles west.
When is the best time to visit Global Wildlife Center?
February, March, April, October, November and December, with highs of 63–80°.
What is the closest airport to Global Wildlife Center?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans (MSY), about 44 miles away.
Where should I stay near Global Wildlife Center?
Hammond (13 mi, 25 places to stay), New Orleans (45 mi, 399 places to stay) and Covington (15 mi, 11 places to stay).
Ask people in Independence
Questions and tips go in Independence’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.