Barataria Preserve

Visit the preserve to discover wild Louisiana wetlands---just a few miles from downtown New Orleans. You may catch a glimpse of a white ibis wading through a bayou in search of a meal.

 

Special program: Explore the human history of the Barataria Preserve with "The Civil War Comes to Barataria." What was life like on a plantation before the Civil War? Why were Barataria's swamps a refuge for escaped slaves? What part did New Orleans play in the journey from the Civil War to civil rights? Find out at a special ranger talk at the preserve visitor center at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 22, and Saturday, July 20. Free. (Learn more about the Civil War here.)

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Important information:

• Never approach, harass, or feed alligators. Remember that they are wild animals and can move very quickly.
• If you plan to kayak or canoe, check with the rangers at the visitor center or call them at 504-689-3690 ext. 10. The Twin Canals canoe launch is closed for repairs so you will need to use an alternative. Also ask for a waterways update: vegetation grows quickly on preserve waterways and can make them difficult to canoe through, so it's a good idea to check first to find out about waterway conditions.

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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 200 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 12, in 2013). 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.

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.
• The Civil War comes to Barataria: What was life like on a plantation before the Civil War? Why were Barataria's swamps a refuge for escaped slaves? What part did New Orleans play in the journey from the Civil War to civil rights? Find out at a special ranger talk at the preserve visitor center at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 22, and Saturday, July 20. Free. (Learn more about the Civil War here.)
• Summer day camps for kids---find out more here.

Learn about

• BioBlitz 2013, a 24-hour blitz of scientific discovery, at the Barataria Preserve on May 17 and 18. You can learn more about this partnership between the National Park Service and National Geographic here. The BioBlitz page also has links to National Geographic science and nature webpages; stay tuned for information about number of species counted, what the park will do with the information that was discovered, etc.
• the Active Trails program and how you can participate.
• research at the Barataria Preserve.
• more things to do in Jefferson Parish, where the preserve is located.

 

Meet the beetles! These are just a few of the insects collected and identified during BioBlitz 2013. Remember that collecting anything in a national park area requires a permit; BioBlitz scientists collected these as part of BioBlitz and Louisiana State Arthropod Museum staff identified them.

Follow the link to learn about animals and plants in south Louisiana and remember that you can report all bird and animal sightings at the preserve visitor center to help with park research and management.

You can also follow the results of BioBlitz 2013 (May 17-18), a 24-hour attempt to inventory as many of the Barataria Preserve's plants and animals as possible. Find out about what BioBlitz learned and what the park will do with the information at the BioBlitz page.

 

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  Barataria Preserve Visitor Center

  5 Photos

  Barataria Preserve Visitor Center photos