Barataria Unit 7400 La. Hwy. Containing 8,600 acres of coastal wetlands, the Barataria Preserve is part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve system. Ten miles of trails, ranging from .4 miles to 3.2 miles, guide visitors through a variety of ecosystems, often following old roadbeds.
Boardwalks allow visitors to observe swamps and marshes safely and conveniently.
Wildlife and native plants can be observed from all trails. The Bayou Coquille Trail passes through a variety of ecosystems as it descends from an upland natural levee hardwood forest, through a bottom land cypress-tupelo swamp, and finally ends at an open floating marsh of freshwater grasses, sedges, and aquatic plants. All trails show evidence of previous civilizations, or human activity such as oil and gas exploration. More are being developed. Programs are offered in a unique building, where one has the feeling of being outdoors.