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Jean Lafitte

Barataria Preserve

 

 
Alligator peers out of water.
As you stroll the Barataria Preserve trails, look for snakes, turtles, and alligators swimming through waterways or sunning themselves on logs and bayou banks.

NPS

 

 

Important Information:

  • Never approach, harass, or feed alligators. Remember that they are wild animals and can move very quickly. You can find more information about safety and outdoor activities at the preserve at the safety page.
  • Pets are only allowed in parking areas and on the deck at the visitor center; pets in these areas must be on a leash and a human must be on the other end of the leash. Do not leave pets unattended in vehicles; pets in vehicles must have a human in the vehicle with them. Please clean up after your pet. Although service animals assisting people with visual, hearing, or mobility impairments are welcome everywhere, note that the presence of wildlife may mean that service animals may not be comfortable on preserve trails.
  • Parking lot gates are locked nightly.
    If your vehicle remains in the lot after closing, it will be locked in.
    If this occurs, please call 855-677-5352.
    A ranger will assist you as soon as one is available.
    Thank you for your understanding.

 

The Barataria Preserve outside Marrero offers a taste of Louisiana's wild wetlands. The preserve's 26,000 acres include bayous, swamps, marshes, and forests. Walk along boardwalks and dirt trails to spot animals including alligators and over 200 species of birds plus an ever-changing array of wildflowers and plants . See the trail map, enjoy a self-guided tour, or explore with a cell phone tour. 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.

There's also information about the preserve at the Barataria Preserve Frequently Asked Questions page.

Special programs:

  • You are welcome to bring your group and explore the preserve on your own (admission is free). For a fun activity for your self-guided group, try Barataria Bingo! (download the pdf at the link). Curriculum-based materials and other activities suitable for self-guided groups are available at the link. Please call the preserve at 504-689-3690 about your group's plans whether or not you plan to request a ranger program; this will allow us to alert you to possible other large groups visiting the preserve on the same day you are planning to come.
  • Girl and Boy Scout programs.
 
head of a pelican
Plan Your Visit

Jean Lafitte's six sites are scattered across south Louisiana. Each is unique in its focus. Learn more about the park's sites.

A wooden boardwalk with an alligator safety sign.
Safety

Be prepared like a park ranger. Read through our list of safety tips before your park visit.

Nutria on bayou bank
Nature

Gather some foundational information for your planning process.

A junior ranger book, patch, and badge perched at the base of a tree.
Junior Ranger

Take the learning to the next level and join our junior ranger krewe! Learn more about the program and how to become a junior ranger.

A boy looks at his hands covered in dark mud and smiles.
Education at Jean Lafitte

Teachers can learn about our education material, field trips, Every Kid Outdoors program, and more at our park.

Brown rabbit on ground looking at camera
Barataria Preserve Hunting and Trapping

Get information on the hunting program and permits at the Barataria Preserve.

A law enforcement ranger helps a kid with a fishing pole next to a bayou.
Laws & Policies

Learn about the laws and policies that affect the park.

A young woman points to a test tube. Two kids look at the test tube. Small white board on ground.
Scouting Programs at Barataria Preserve

Plan a field trip to a Jean Lafitte site and engage your kids in our scout programs.

Outside on a sunny day a young girl smiles behind a mesh mask with felt face features on it.
Fun From Home

Real and virtual fun: Junior Ranger, scout programs, Every Kid Outdoors, online videos, and more!

A horseless buggy on display
Directions

Music, dancing, food, life. Discover the culture of the Cajun people at Jean Lafitte's northernmost site.

 

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Duration:
10 minutes, 33 seconds

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve is pleased to partner with A Studio in the Woods to recognize the power of art to address the planet’s environmental concerns. This video features park ecologist Dr. Julie Whitbeck and A Studio in the Woods artist in residence Sidiki Conde. Mr. Conde is a world-renowned musician from Guinea, West Africa and in this video, he performs with New Orleans musicians Dr. Michael White, Mitchell Player, Gregory Stafford, and Detroit Brooks.

Last updated: September 13, 2025

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

419 Decatur St
New Orleans, LA 70130

Phone:

504-589-3882

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