Barataria Preserve

This was always one of my favorite bicycle ride destinations when I lived in New Orleans — so I went there with a friend on my last trip. It had been raining a lot and unfortunately for us — the boardwalks were submerged and closed to the public.
Otherwise — we would have enjoyed walking on the 1+ mi of boardwalks over the swamp, looking for alligators, turtles, water moccasins and other critters. It’s a fantastic experience and I highly recommend it!
Instead, we went down to Twin Canals and walked a little trail out to a small opening near enough water to make a whole mardi gras krewe of alligators happy and did not see any alligators. Did see water moccasins, garter snakes, fungus, birds and bunny rabbits.

Lots of history to be found here. There are a few guides here that can answer your questions. Make sure you guys buy mosquito repellent. Got bit a few times.

We walked the Bayou Coquille trail and followed it to the marsh trail. This was such a cool experience. During our walk we saw an alligator make a meal of a turtle. As gross as it sounds, it was a rare sight and oddly intriguing. We saw many gators, birds, a variety of lizards, squirrel, several snakes, and huge bumble bees. My 6-​year-​old warns you to watch out for the most terrifying of them all– the dragonflies. He didn’t bat an eye at the gators and snakes, but nearly jumped out of his shoes each time a dragonfly wanted to play. (Ha)
We also took the visitor center trail to the palmetto trail. The Palmetto trail can also be accessed from the same parking lot as the Bayou Coquille trail, but restrooms are located at the Visitor’s Center and are much quicker accessed by a short drive. The palmetto trailer is literally lined by– surprise– palmettos. We didn’t find much else here, beside lots of lizards, but it was a pretty walk.

This was truly the highlight of my recent New Orleans visit. We didn’t bring our kids with us so we were able to take in the swamp at our own pace, which was slow because us city slickers would flinch any time we heard a sound. I know, we’re freaking losers! We started at the Visitor Center and had a make shift photo shoot because the area was just too damn perfect not to capture and then continued our way to through the Palmetto Trail. The trail didn’t provide any real wildlife besides the occasional squirrel hopping among the trees, but once we crossed over to the Bayou Coquille Trail and to the Marsh Overlook Trail we saw three gators (one just about three feet from the walkway), a water moccasin, a turtle and a tiny western ribbon snake that I almost stepped on. This preserve was spectacular and wasn’t busy at all so it’s the perfect place to zone out, be one with nature and take it all in. Be advised though, the only bathroom that I recall seeing was at the visitor center!

This is a big and beautiful park. I will not give it 5 stars until my 3^rd time.
The biggest problem I had was actually something most would call a feature.
There are TONS of GIANT spiders that like to build webs along the paths. But it seems they LOVE my height and since any one I saw was big enough to look like a face-​grabber from Aliens, I’m not going to go back. I do NOT want to kill them or destroy their homes. And I don’t want you to do so either. So just leave the paths alone if you see webs.
Their lives are more important than your silly ideas about walking around crap while destroying the natives.
P. S. We have learned nothing from history in this world.

Walk in beautiful marsh/​swamp made accessible by raised wood walkway. Bring your binoculars. Lots of fabulous creatures.

Loved this place. So much wildlife and so close up. The only thing I wasn’t crazy about was that the walkways were super thin in some areas and not really big enough for people to pass each other going opposite directions. Also, if you’re bringing a small child, I reccomend a stroller as there are some areas of the walk way rather close to the gator infested waters that don’t have any railings. Not that I’m complaining, just not good for littles.

It turns out you don’t need to pay for a tour to see alligators! We came here by car, got some information from the visitor center and went on a 1 hour trail, for free!
We visited in June and it was really hot and humid. All in all a very sweaty walk. Make sure you bring enough water! And insect repellant!
We got to see an alligator chew away at a turtle… And lots of dragon flies. The swamp itself is also really nice to see!
Parking closes at 5 but I think you can park outside and stay on the trail longer.

I happened to visit the Barataria Preserve on a perfect spring day, lower 70 degree temperature and early enough I encountered very few bugs other than dragonflies. Although I imagine at many times of the year it can get very muggy and buggy.
I spent some time at the exhibits in the visitor’s center before getting trail advice from the ranger. Since it had rained the day before, several trails were muddy. So he recommended taking the Palmetto Trail to the Bayou Coquille Trail to the Marsh Overlook Trail.
I so enjoyed my walk through the lush vegetation of the bayou. I saw Giant Blue Irises, Swamp Rabbits, a Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake, and a Water Moccasin. I also saw an idiot trying to poke and then swipe at one of the Swamp Rabbits. Come on people! Always respect wildlife! The preserve is their home.

⁵⁄₅ swampsong.
okay, there isn’t actually a song. but there is a swamp. and a marsh. and irises, and water moccasins, and alligators, and swamp bunnies, and lots of bugs and other fun things. had a terrific morning stroll here last good friday and it was a great way to spend the day away from the desk. the established paths are easy to follow, and the guides are happy to help and provide tips. do bring water and maybe take care of the sunscreen and bug spray before you begin your adventure.
parents and families, do stay aware. on the last leg of the trail there was a family who let their kid within about 3 feet of a water moccasin… could have been a very different outcome for them.

I have a thing for gators. I grew up with a swamp as my backyard. I’m just a country girl at heart. This is why I was so excited for my first trip out to the Barataria Preserve and I was not disappointed! The preserve has some amazing trails, both planked out as well as actual dirt trails that have you immersed in a Louisiana swamp 2 minutes away from your car. We did the Visitor’s Center Trail to the Palmetto Trail to the Bayou Coquille Trail and back. All in all, it was about four miles of wandering through beautiful vegetation (including some gorgeous irises), interesting wildlife (bunnies, snakes, owls, gators!), and just a very peaceful natural beauty. It is amazing to think all this exists a short car ride away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I felt very calm and at ease during our entire trek and knew that I would be back other times if for nothing more than to just clear my head. This is a great park to take the kids for a day out in nature or a great place to just take a different kind of walk.

After a trip last year was cancelled by a deluge, I’ve been wanting to come back to the preserve and today seemed like the perfect day to finally get back.
The weather was gorgeous and with great friends, I couldn’t have asked for a better morning. Because of all the recent rains, we stuck to the boardwalk/​gravel paths of the visitor’s center, palmetto, bayou coquille & marsh overlook trails which all feed into each other. We probably walked about 4 miles there and back.
We saw alligators, snakes, bugs galore, an owl, a swamp bunny, and a toddler almost get bit by a snake since he crouched down to look closely at it as it reared back to strike. Seriously parents what are you thinking.
The irises are just start to bloom so you have another couple of weeks to see them in their full glory. The smell of all the honeysuckle was intoxicating. Plus I noticed a ton of blackberry vines so in a few weeks you might be able to have a snack while you wander around.
Funniest thing was the clearly out of town folks who were fascinated by the little lizards that run all over my front porch and that’s what they were sitting on a bench watching them run around. Oh and the girl who’s swamp attire included fishnets, high heel boots and a mini-​skirt. Other funny thing, we ran into my uncle, the park ranger, while out there. He LOVES his retirement job.
I’ll repeat that it’s amazing to be out here and you’re only 30 minutes away from the city. No power lines in sight, outside and you can just breathe the swampy air… which is home to me but may be cloying to others. Oh and brother 4 says that the twin canal trail (separate parking lot) is a good place to go fishing. And the highest of the non-​boardwalked trails.
Also as a National Park, it’s free.

Barataria Preserve is the «natural» part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. It was our first stop as soon as Congress quit playing games and reopened the federal government for business on 17-​Oct-​13, and we weren’t disappointed. The staff is great, the preserve is well-​maintained and safe-​feeling, and the boardwalks/​trails are excellent with just the right amount of interpretive signage.
Bird-​wise we saw a lone White Ibis foraging in the swamp, Black Vultures, a Turkey Vulture, a Red-​bellied Woodpecker and Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebes, several Blue Jays, American Crows, several Carolina Wrens, Eastern Bluebirds, 3 Grey Catbirds, Northern Mockingbird, a Common Yellowthroat, many Northern Cardinals, and 2 female-​type Indigo Buntings.
We didn’t get to see any alligators or armadillos, but we did get to see many eastern grey squirrels and swamp rabbits (but not Womp Rats, which are native only to Tatooine). And we did see part of a large water snake hiding under the water plants, plus an amazing, enormous Six-​spotted Fishing Spider that looked like it could easily take on a small dog.

Moving here from Portland, Oregon in June, I was feeling a bit cooped up after a summer trying to acclimate and worshiping the A/​C. Portland is home to Forest Park, which has something like 70 miles of recreational trails right in the city, so nature was literally right out your urban backdoor.
Since it has cooled off enough for us fragile West Coasters, we were excited to hit Barataria Preserve for some nature walking and to see some wildlife. We were certainly not disappointed. While the area isn’t huge, it is lush and serene and has nice boardwalk trails. I’d love to see more signage on the trails of the types of flora and fauna, but overall my new favorite weekend spot for a couple hours of family time.
Remember to respect the habitat and not touch things off-​trail, including animals and don’t litter, jerks (sorry, I told you I was from Oregon, I’m a tree-​hugging hippie, remember?)

It amazes me how close this was to the city, about a half hour drive and suddenly you are transported into a unique majestic landscape that looks right out of a movie. It is free which is amazing, and there is a boardwalk so you can traverse the swamp lands real easily.
As you walk and look out it is hard to believe that you are looking at a body of water and not a forest because the swamp is often covered in lily pads. The terrain changes as you go so there are a lot of different views and some marsh land.
We spotted some blue tailed little lizards, a frog, larger than I would like grasshoppers, a crawfish and a few snakes, but definitely came here to see a crocodile. Not realizing we were nearing the end a person traveling the opposite direction gave us the scoop of where to spot one. A safe distance away, yet entirely accessible from where we were was a large (10 feet long?) crocodile and not too far from it a baby. It was hard not to stare despite the stillness of the creature. It was a satisfying highlight of the hike but then you have to backtrack the whole route.
There was so much lush greenery to look at, it was unlike anything I had seen with so much varied wildlife and plants. Definitely a highlight of the vacation and a welcome change from gorging myself with food and drink!

Did you know that this is outside? Like, in nature and stuff? I know! I was shocked too!
I am not what you would call an «outdoorsy» person. A guy that I am seeing was recently shocked when I told him that I occasionally do venture outdoors and have even been known to enjoy an outdoor festival.
Anyway, I hadn’t been here for years when a photographer suggested that we explore this place for a photo shoot. Okay, I’m down. The part of the preserve we ventured into was basically a mud trail next to a swamp. I could tell that it was pretty well traveled as it was pretty worn down and there was some trash (coke cans) left behind. Unfortunately, on the day we went it was muggy and hot and the bugs were everywhere. If I had brought bug spray, I would have actually loved exploring this area.
I’m giving it 5 stars because it is well taken care of and patrolled regularly, so I felt pretty safe. I will probably return when it cools down a little and the insects head South for the winter.

Absolutely beautiful! I went last weekend (April 21) and the weather and scenery were perfect. Short drive from the city (I live Uptown and got *just a touch* lost on the way so it was about 30 minutes) and well worth it. I parked at the Visitor’s Center and asked the ranger, «How can I see alligators, but also remain a safe distance from them?» I am TOTALLY terrified of alligators, I’m pretty convinced they can and will kill me, so I was interested in staying on paved/​boardwalk paths. She was more than accommodating and recommended I check out the Marsh Outlook path, as that is where people tend to spot them.
My route ended up being: Visitor’s Center trail (0.25 miles), Palmetto trail (0.9 miles), Bayou Coquille trail (0.8 miles) and Marsh Outlook (0.4 miles I think), then back to the visitor’s center for a total of about 4 miles walk. That was pretty ideal – got a little workout and plenty of sightseeing in, but not so long that it was monotonous. The Palmetto trail has pretty lush vegetation. I found the Bayou Coquille trail the most interesting; it has informative signs about the changing landscape. Definitely go the the Marsh Outlook – beautiful sights! I got to check out the panoramic function on the camera on my phone and got some fantastic pictures.
This place is a must-​see in my opinion; just a few minutes outside the city you are immersed in this beautiful landscape!

I’m a huge fan of the National Parks Service and once I found out that this place existed I knew I had to check it out. We rented a car for the day, left early in the morning, and drove down to the Preserve. It was an easy and short drive from New Orleans.
We arrived to find plenty of parking, lots of bugs, and, of course, very friendly park rangers who gave us good information about which areas to see the most wildlife. There is a small visitor center with ample information about the Louisiana delta, Katrina, the area wildlife, and conservancy efforts.
There are two types of trails at Barataria: paved and dirt. We opted for the paved trail which is about 4 miles round trip. There was no one else really in the park at this time, so we basically had the entire trail to ourselves. The Visitor Center Trail is a great introduction to the beautiful swampy landscape and it is a short .50 walk round trip. The Palmetto Trail is beautiful as well, however, the walk is redundant as far as scenery. The Bayou Coquille Trail and Marsh Overlook were by far our favorite trails to walk. Not only did we see plenty of alligators laying in the sun, but we also saw the landscape change and become quite beautiful… very different from the Palmetto Trail.
There is no shortage of wildlife in the Preserve. We heard many animals and birds, but unfortunately, our only wildlife encounters were with a ribbon snake hanging from a tree on the Palmetto Trail and many alligators on the Bayou Coquille Trail. There are also plenty of mosquitoes, so it might help to bring some type of repellent. We went in early April… can’t imagine how it must be in July or August. There are also plenty of hairy caterpillars, fluorescent-​colored dragonflys, tiny black grasshoppers, and squirrels.
We had a great time at Barataria. I’m glad we chose to do this rather than a more touristy «swamp tour.»

The Jean Lafitte Park is one of the coolest parks in the metro area.
Even though it is only a 20 – 30 minute drive from downtown, you feel like you are much further from civilization.
The best part about the park are the miles of trails through the different environments of the preserve. Some trails are «improved» and have boardwalks and concrete paths, but others are simple wilderness trails.
I have never been here when I did not see some type of wildlife. During the summer you are almost always guaranteed to see alligators, snakes and giant black grasshoppers which make you believe a plague is upon Marrero. Even during the colder times, you are almost guaranteed to see something of interest.
I highly recommend this park. It is one of the places I don’t get to go as much as I’d like, but I need to correct that.

This is a wonderful place to take your visitors to get the real swamp experience with out actually getting into a boat or spending the afternoon with a guy named Boudreaux.
It’s a 20 minute drive from the city, just take the Westbank Expressway to Barataria and go left for 10 miles, easy shmeasy!
I love the Bayou Coquille walk, it is the second parking area on the right once you have driven past the National Park sign. There are walking decks that take you a mile or so out into the marsh. You will see al sorts of plants and wildlife. (This past visit we saw 7 or 8 alligators of various ages, plus lots of lizards, turtles, some snakes, a few weird bugs and some birds.)
I recommend going the spring time, irises blooming, baby gators everywhere, not too many bugs yet.