A Wild and Wondrous Hidden Gem, Barataria Preserve is Louisiana’s Very Own Everglades

An iconic example of the natural beauty of Louisiana, Barataria Preserve has officially been declared one of The Gemmies in the United States by our team of local travel experts. The 2025 Gemmies are a collection of destinations that are a true representation of their state. To experience these gems is to know the heartbeat of their American locations and we think they are all worthy of a visit.

Louisiana’s legendary swamps and marshes are among some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country. Even though I live in New Orleans, I still find time to escape the Crescent City from time to time and immerse myself in these iconic landscapes. Barataria Preserve is my go-to destination when I need a little nature in my life, and it’s only a 30-minute drive from New Orleans. 

Barataria Preserve’s 26,000 acres include bayous, swamps, marshes, and forests—it’s a picturesque nature preserve that’s free for anyone to enjoy. 

There are several trails within Barataria Preserve, and many of them are boardwalk trails that allow you to literally walk through the swamps and marshes. You wouldn’t be able to access this area any other way, which makes it feel even more special. 

I began my swamp stroll on a beautiful November morning. I parked at the Visitor Center and took the Visitor Center Trail first. This is where you'll find the restrooms as well as the Visitor Center. The center was closed when I visited, but there are a few exhibits inside plus a schedule of upcoming events.

There are several trails that weave throughout Barataria Preserve. All of them are under two miles so you can mix and match to fit your schedule. 

The Visitor Center Trail is only a quarter mile long, but it’s not short on views. The boardwalk trail quickly puts you in the middle of a swampy, marsh setting with natural plants and trees everywhere you look. 

One of my favorite games to play when I’m wandering around these parts is “Barataria Bingo” where I try to find an alligator, a turtle, a snake, a swamp rabbit, and a raccoon. Bonus points for deer and nine-banded armadillos. I’ve heard sightings of coyotes and even bobcats, though I’ve never been lucky enough to spot one of them. 

It did not take me very long to check one of my Bingo boxes. About 10 minutes into my leisurely swamp stroll, a four-foot gator startled me. Now, I consider myself a pretty observant person and this thing still snuck up on me. He was just snoozing and soaking up the sun on this Sunday morning, so I just snapped a few selfies with him and continued my journey. It's incredible that you can get this close to them! That's also why dogs are not permitted at Barataria Preserve.

Be sure to check trail closures before you come out here. I did not do that, and one of my favorite connecting trails was closed, which was a bummer. It wasn’t a huge loss, I just went back to my car and drove to the next area so I could continue… but the original plan was to take that trail. 

Trail closures can happen for a number of reasons. Some trails close to protect the wildlife, especially during alligator hatchling season (August). Sometimes, trails are closed for maintenance, which is what this closure was for. Many areas in Louisiana are still impacted by Hurricane Ida damage, Barataria Preserve included. 

So instead of taking the Visitor Center Trail—Palmetto Trail—Bayou Coquille Trail—Marsh Overlook, I had to skip the Palmetto Trail and just drive the mile over to the next parking lot. 

I love the Bayou Coquille Trail. The trail begins as a gravel path running parallel to Bayou Coquille and then transforms into a boardwalk trail when you hit the Lower Kenta Canal. Typically, you can then take the Marsh Overlook Trail for some fabulous views, but alas, that trail was closed, too. More hurricane damage.

I spotted two more gators along the Bayou Coquille Trail and one turtle before making my way back to the car. Oh, and I did see three massive birds soaring over the marsh. I think they were vultures, but they were just out of my camera’s zoom range. Not bad for a fall day in November!

Barataria Preserve is open year-round, but the time of year you visit will determine your wildlife options. Most of our cold-blooded swamp critters hibernate during the winter, so you’ll have less of a chance of spotting them. Alligators, in particular, enter a state called brumation, where they’re much less active until the temperatures consistently get above 70° F.

Regardless of the time of year you visit, there’s always some epic birdwatching to be had. Barataria Preserve sits right on the Mississippi Flyway and over 200 species of birds use the preserve’s waterways throughout the year. The National Park Service has an excellent guide to all of the birds in Barataria that’s worth checking out.

Whether you're looking for a solo adventure or a place to introduce kids to nature, Barataria Preserve is the place to be. It's easily one of my favorite natural areas in Louisiana because you're almost always going to spot some type of wildlife. And it's just 30 minutes from New Orleans!

Have you experienced this gem of a destination yet? From Hawaii to Virginia, you’ll want to discover all of the incredible destinations featured in The Gemmies.