Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
26
JEAN LAFITTE BARATARIA PRESERVE:
WETLANDS WONDER
BOUNDARIES:
Not applicable—this is an out-and-back walk on two trails within the preserve.
DISTANCE:
1.8 miles
PARKING:
Free parking at trailhead
PUBLIC TRANSIT:
None
You won't find swings, golf courses, or amusement park rides at Jean Lafitte National His-
torical Park's Barataria Preserve, but what you will find is one of the most stunning dis-
plays of nature that Louisiana has to offer.
With 23,000 acres of swamp, marsh, trails, and waterways, Barataria Preserve is a park like
no other. On the West Bank of Jefferson Parish, about 20 miles from downtown New Or-
leans, it offers an up-close encounter with some of the state's endangered wetlands amid a
setting of live oaks, bald cypress, palmettos, and wildflowers. Walk on any of the pre-
serve's boardwalk or gravel trails, and you'll likely see a variety of wildlife from alligators
and snakes to armadillos and nutria, not to mention more than 200 species of birds, among
them pelicans and bald eagles.
That's not to say the park doesn't have its challenges. Hurricane Katrina destroyed or dam-
aged 60 percent of the preserve's biggest trees, resulting in more light for invasive nonnat-
ive plants. The park's famous springtime iris blooms were especially affected, but the ex-
quisite purple flowers are beginning to make a comeback.
The trails we've chosen are the Bayou Coquille Trail and the Marsh Overlook Trail, both of
which are wheelchair-accessible and only about a mile from the Visitor Center. Be sure to
stop at the center before you begin your hike. The center features dioramas, exhibits, a
video, and hands-on display. Park rangers are on hand to answer any questions you might
have. In addition, the walk has seven stops, where you can phone 504-799-0802 to get an
audio description of each one. (The following descriptions are based on the audio tour.)
Some tips to keep in mind before you begin: Stay on boardwalks and trails, don't bring
food or try to feed animals, don't pick flowers or dig up plants, and leave your pets at
home. If you're taking the walk during the summer, bring a hat, insect repellent, and
bottled water. And don't forget your camera and binoculars.
