Barataria, Louisiana · Jefferson County · Facility
With more than 26,000 acres of wild Louisiana wetlands, the Barataria Preserve's hardwood forest, swamp, bayous, and marsh offer trails, picnic areas, fishing, hunting (in season and with permits), and wildlife viewing. Visitor center films and exhibits explain the wetlands habitat and current environmental challenges;…
With more than 26,000 acres of wild Louisiana wetlands, the Barataria Preserve's hardwood forest, swamp, bayous, and marsh offer trails, picnic areas, fishing, hunting (in season and with permits), and wildlife viewing. Visitor center films and exhibits explain the wetlands habitat and current environmental challenges; ranger programs are offered daily. Admission to the preserve and to most programs is free.
The Barataria Preserve is located 17 miles south of New Orleans on the west bank of the Mississippi River; Barataria Blvd./Highway 45 runs through the preserve. Note that not all GPS systems find the preserve successfully, so double check your GPS against a map. The Visitor Center is located just off of Highway 45.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Heading to Barataria Preserve? A few things to know before you go:
Photo: Sergei AkulichLouisiana's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Holly MandarichSteep is hard. These are the ten Louisiana trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Joshua EarleTen gentle, well-marked Louisiana trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Sergei AkulichLouisiana's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Joshua EarleFederal parks and recreation areas in Louisiana ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Sergei AkulichLouisiana's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.