When you want to experience a beautiful hike around New Orleans that you won’t soon forget, consider hiking on of the trails in Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve. The Palmetto trail, which leads to the Marsh Overlook, is a 1.8 mile hike that will delight your senses and give you a glimpse of the beautiful environment around New Orleans. Here’s a guide to this trail, which can be found at 6588 Barataria Boulevard, Marrero.

Just 17 miles from downtown New Orleans, the Barataria Preserve Trails are gorgeous.

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You can begin your hike at the visitor’s center, where you will find the Palmetto trail.

The .9 mile Palmetto trail is primarily boardwalks over marshes.

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Springtime offers incredible marsh flowers, including water hyacinth and Louisiana irises.

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The trail also offers a beautiful sense of the swamp.

Flickr.com / Stephen

Informational placards along the way educate about the history and nature in the area.

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And of course, look out for alligators that line the trail!

Flickr.com / Jay White

Beautiful canals and waterways can be viewed throughout the journey.

Flickr.com / AHLN

And finally, if you continue along the Palmetto trail, you’ll be lead to the Bayou Coquille Trail…

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A gorgeous overlook that gives you a real sense of the marshland that surrounds New Orleans.

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Have you ever taken this trail before? What time of year do you think is the best to travel the trails? Let us know what it’s been like for you!

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You can begin your hike at the visitor’s center, where you will find the Palmetto trail.

facebook.com/JeanLafitteNPS

Flickr.com / Stephen

Flickr.com / Jay White

Flickr.com / AHLN

And then onto the Marsh Overlook.

flickr.com/photos/kevinomara

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Address: New Orleans, LA, USA