Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve - Barataria Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

Waterways update: Many of the Barataria Preserve's waterways are impassable due to heavy growth by aquatic plants. If you plan to kayak or canoe, call the visitor center to check on waterway status.

The Barataria Preserve outside Marrero offers a taste of Louisiana's wild wetlands. The preserve's 23,000 acres include bayous, swamps, marshes, forests, alligators, nutrias, and over 300 species of birds. Boardwalk and dirt trails wind through the preserve; check out the trail map, enjoy a self-guided tour, or explore with a cell phone tour. Waterways can be explored by canoe or kayak; hikers and paddlers can check out the preserve map here. Exhibits at the preserve visitor center highlight how the Mississippi River built Louisiana's wetlands, the national importance of the area, and the relation between the land and its people. Kids can earn a badge with the Junior Ranger program. An environmental education center is used for field trips and special programs. The center's bookstore has books, music, children's books, and field guides on sale. Admission to the preserve is free. Click here for directions and program listings for specific dates.

6588 Barataria Boulevard, Marrero (near Crown Point)
504-689-3690 ext. 10
Open daily 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed December 25 and Mardi Gras (Tuesday, February 21, in 2012). Useful information about public transportation, regulations on pets, etc., is available here. Specific information about the preserve is at the Barataria Preserve Frequently Asked Questions page.

Please note: the Ring Levee Trail is closed. All other trails are open.

Events and programs

Field trips for schools and other groups by reservation.
Girl and Boy Scout programs.
Wetlands walk 10:00 a.m. every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Join a ranger for a guided walk through wild Louisiana swamp and marsh. Stop by the visitor center to find out which trail the day's walk will explore. Free.
Expanding Horizons kids program are designed for kids aged 6-12 (parents welcome too!) and share the nature and culture of south Louisiana, from plants to pirates. Programs are free but reservations are required; call 504-689-3690 ext. 25. Check out the whole Expanding Horizons lineup for spring 2012 here.
Spring in the Swamp is scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, March 31-April 1, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Click here for more details about everybody's favorite wetlands weekend!
Summer day camps for children---registration begins March 31. Watch this space for more details.

Learn about

research at the Barataria Preserve.
more things to do in Jefferson Parish, where the preserve is located.

Nutria feed on marsh grasses and aquatic plants, so look for them in wet green areas.

Winter at the preserve reveals many secrets that are usually hidden by dense wetlands vegetation. Watch for nutrias waddling through marshy areas, hawks hunting their prey, or an alligator warming up in the sun on a chilly day. Learn about animals and plants in south Louisiana and find out why the giant blue iris population has been dramatically reduced.

	Barataria Preserve Visitor Center (5 Photos) View Album \| View Slideshow

Barataria Preserve Visitor Center (5 Photos)

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