Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Reserve Things to Do Tips by doug48

swamp trails

the jean lafitte national park and the barataria preserve has a number of walking trails where the visitor can get a good look at the various ecosystems of a southern louisiana swamp. the following things to do tips are a virtual tour of the bayou coquille trail. the jean lafette national park has eight trails which takes a full day to explore. if you just want to spend an hour or two i suggest the bayou coquille trail because of it's diverse ecosystems.

Address: SR 45

Directions: located about 25 miles southwest of new orleans. from downtown new orleans take BR 90 southwest to SR 45 south.

Phone: 504-589-2330 ext 10

Website: http://www.nps.gov/jela/

fresh water marsh

located at the end of the bayou coquille trail is the marsh overlook. this is one of a number of ecosystems that you can see in the jean lafitte national park.

Address: SR 45

Directions: about 25 miles southwest of new orleans.

Phone: 405-589-2330 ext 10

Website: http://www.nps.gov/jela/

high spot

pictured is an oak tree on a high spot of land in the swamp. these high spots were made by native americans thousands of years ago. jean lafitte and his pirates used these high spots to hide from government troops in the swamp.

Address: SR 45

Directions: about 25 miles southwest of new orleans.

Phone: 405-589-2330 ext 10

Website: http://www.nps.gov/jela/

bayou

pictured is a typical bayou in the jean lafitte national park. the green "scum" on the water is duck weed which is a very common aquatic plant in the swampy areas of louisiana.

Address: SR 45

Directions: about 25 miles southwest of new orleans.

Phone: 405-589-2330 ext 10

Website: http://www.nps.gov/jela/

alligator

located on the bayou coquille trail is the kenta canal. the kenta canal is a alligator habitat. if you look closely at the center of the picture there is a small alligator.

Address: SR 45

Directions: about 25 miles southwest of new orleans.

Phone: 504-589-2330 ext 10

Website: http://www.nps.gov/jela/