Little River Bluffs

Evolutionary Architecture. That’s the term that friends of David Campbell coined to describe the style of his magical woodland home set deep in the piney woods of St. Tammany Parish, near Covington. Indeed. What better term to do justice to a structure that defies the visitor to box it, to parcel it, or to name it, as it is far removed from the architectural standard that we here in Louisiana are used to seeing. As the guest at David’s Little River Bluffs, you are to be advised to include a camera and make a diligent pictorial record of the place, as even the most eloquent visitor will struggle for the right words to describe the style of the delightful architecture and tranquil surroundings to friends when they return, glowing and rested, from a revitalizing retreat into David’s personal wilderness.

Twenty-six years ago, the strain of life as a New Orleans attorney, combined with a longtime fascination with the native flora and fauna of Louisiana, led David Campbell north across Lake Pontchartrain and deep into the woods along the pristine, artesian-fed Little Tchefuncte River. David told us, over hot chunks of freshly baked bread just out of his oven, that in 1969, there wasn’t much of anything in the area between Highways 25 and 1077, about fifteen miles northwest of Covington, save for tracts of open farmland claimed from the pine forests which are the natural growth of this region. Late on a Friday afternoon, he would leap into the car and dash across the causeway to lose himself in the cool, shaded woods and tranquil babbling of the river as it wriggled its way aimlessly southwards toward the lake.

When David tells you that there was nothing to speak of out here in 1969, it is safe to believe him, as for the first six years, home consisted of a tent amongst the trees. It was 1978 before the first stage of what is now the main house was to be built. Since then, building has progressed in a series of carefully planned stages, each blending seamlessly into the last. The result is living space meticulously designed to make the best use of the colors and textures of the natural setting without impinging upon or overpowering the beauty of the scene.

When David tells you that there was nothing to speak of out here in 1969, it is safe to believe him, as for the first six years, home consisted of a tent amongst the trees.

Guest accommodation takes the form of a chalet built in the style of the main house, situated one hundred yard and a thousand years away into the forest. The chalet stands upon a small bluff overlooking a bend in the river, so that it is effectively bordered by water on three sides. Sumptuously appointed accommodation provides for a single group of up to five to luxuriated in sublime surroundings. Huge windows flood the living areas with views of the forest and river, while vaulted ceilings soar up to meet the treetops overhead. A wood burning fireplace warms winter visitors, while the view from the mezzanine-level bedroom (reached by ship’s ladder), out through the windows and over the river, is spectacular. The architecture makes full use of all the est aspects of Louisiana’s climate, with vast tracts of screening allowing the living areas to be opened, tent-like, to the forest breezes, the chatter and screech of the abundant bird and animal life and the ever-present murmur of the Little Tchefuncte. The chalet is fully self-contained, allowing guests to cater for themselves. Alternatively, a continental breakfast is available on request. At the time of writing, Little River Bluffs entertains only one group of guests at a time, although plans are afoot for one or two more chalets to become available during this year.

Let there be no mistake. This is an experience for the lover of nature—a retreat from the sights, smells, and sounds of the manufacture environment that is such a central feature of everyday life for many of us. Imagine a place where you can put a kayak into the Little Tchefuncte only five minutes’ drive from the door, and allow the gentle current to draw you away, following the river’s aimless wanderings through endless corridors of greenery, buffered on either side by the purest sandbars, before depositing you in front of the very same door that you left from, a full six hours later. (But beware: it may seem that you have been away for much longer than that.)

The 13.5 acres that David bought in 1969 has gradually expanded in a series of stages, and today Little River Bluffs encompasses around fifty-two acres of woodland with almost a mile of river frontage. Through these woods wind walking trails, affording the visitor plenty of opportunity for peaceful meandering, with simply the sights and sounds of the river and the denizens of the forest for company. David’s extensive knowledge of an enthusiasm for the flora and fauna of the region is freely available to visitors, too, and he will happily furnish you with literature and descriptions of what you can expect to find while wandering the trails at any given time of year. A well stocked pond might tempt the fisherman to tangle with a perch or bass, while beyond the gates, attractions range from the Global Wildlife Center, Zemurray Gardens, and St. Joseph’s Abbey to the excellent shops, galleries and restaurants of Mandeville, Madisonville, Covington, and Folsom, all within twenty minutes’ drive. New Orleans and Baton Rouge are both no more than an hour away.

An experience at Little River Bluffs is one which will not be soon forgotten. Plan to stay a few days. Lose yourself in the sounds of the Piney Woods. Read a good book. Drift downstream for an hour or two. Or take advantage of the proximity to some of Louisiana’s most appealing small towns and prettiest countryside. Rest well; it will do you a world of good.

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