Can you reserve a site at Barataria Preserve?

No. Barataria Preserve is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Barataria Preserve

Facility · Louisiana ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Barataria Preserve (National Historical Park and Preserve) · Open Access

1 ft
Elevation

The Barataria Preserve Visitor Center — Photo: NPS · Recreation.gov

With more than 26,000 acres of wild Louisiana wetlands, the Barataria Preserve's hardwood forest, swamp, bayous, and marsh offer trails, picnic areas, fishing, hunting (in season and with permits), and wildlife viewing. Visitor center films and exhibits explain the wetlands habitat and current environmental challenges; ranger programs are offered daily. Admission to the preserve and to most programs is free.

Getting there

The Barataria Preserve is located 17 miles south of New Orleans on the west bank of the Mississippi River; Barataria Blvd./Highway 45 runs through the preserve. Note that not all GPS systems find the preserve successfully, so double check your GPS against a map. The Visitor Center is located just off of Highway 45.

29.78395, -90.11553 · 29°47'2.2"N 90°6'55.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 90°F in Jul, down to 62°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	62	66	72	78	84	89	90	90	87	79	70	64
Low °F	43	47	53	58	66	72	74	74	70	61	51	46
Precip in	5.3	4.2	5.2	5.3	5.5	7.2	7.5	6.9	6.3	3.8	3.8	5.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Area Map Inside the Visitor Center — Photo: NPS · Recreation.gov

Animal Exhibit Inside Visitor Center — Photo: NPS · Recreation.gov

Member photos

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Common questions about Barataria Preserve

Can you reserve a site at Barataria Preserve?: No. Barataria Preserve is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Barataria Preserve

Ogden Museum of Southern Art 12 mi · Facility
French Quarter Visitor Center 12.2 mi · Facility
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park 12.2 mi · Visitor Center
Chalmette Battlefield and Chalmette National Cemetery 13.1 mi · Facility
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center 42.5 mi · Facility

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Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.