6 Totally Kid-Friendly Hikes Around New Orleans That Are 1 Mile And Under

There’s nothing better than getting outside and spending some time surrounded by our beautiful natural landscape. These 6 trails in and around New Orleans are some of the best hikes in New Orleans, and bonus, all clock in at under a mile, making them perfect for a family adventure. From the oldest to the youngest, the whole family will love these kid-friendly hikes around New Orleans, and since they’re under a mile, they won’t take up too much of your day. So if you’ve ever wondered about “kid-friendly hiking trails near me,” wonder no more as this article has you covered.

1009 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA

Carolyn Richter/Google

Right in the heart of the city lies a beautiful forested trail that will make you think you’ve been transported far from the Big Easy. Located in City Park, this trail is right at a mile in length and is the perfect adventure for families with little ones. It's not only one of the most scenic hikes in New Orleans, it's one of the most magical kid-friendly hikes around New Orleans. Read more about Couturie Forest, then plan your next family outing there.

Address: 1009 Harrison Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70124

23135 U.S. Hwy 190, Mandeville, LA 70448, USA

Threshold 360/Google

Located in Mandeville, the Northlake Nature Center is a hidden gem just waiting for you to explore. The Eagle Trail Loop is only 3/4 of a mile, but you’ll have so much fun here you’ll find yourself wanting to explore the other two trails, which both come in at under two miles. The trails are full of beautiful scenic spots, wetlands views, and the opportunity for endless wildlife viewing. This is one of the best easy hikes in New Orleans, or the New Orleans area. Read more about Northlake Nature Center, then go hit the trail and have some fun.

Address: 23135 Highway 190, Mandeville, LA, 70448

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Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve, Unnamed Road, Abita Springs, LA 70420, USA

Erin Robinson/All Trails

Coming in at approximately .6 of a mile, this easy loop trail in Abita Springs is perfect for families with young ones looking to get outside for an hour or two. Beautiful wildflowers and towering trees guide the way along this scenic trail, with scores of wildlife viewing opportunities. Check out this article on Abita Creek Flatwoods, then plan your next visit there. The preserve is located in Abita Springs on LA. Hwy. 435, across from Green Street.

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11000 Lake Forest Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127, USA

Gabriele Landau/All Trails

This 86-acre attraction in New Orleans East is a perfect adventure the whole family will love. There are three trails that will take you on a journey through their unique ecosystem, and all of them are under a mile in length and feature informative signs along the way so you can learn about what you’re looking at. Some of the best hikes in New Orleans are found here. So read up on the Audubon Nature Center, then pay it a visit.

Address: 11000 Lake Forest Boulevard, New Orleans, LA, 70127

6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA

Sara Hodge/All Trails

Just a short drive outside of the city in Marrero lies the Barataria Preserve, a 23,000 acre preserve filled with marshes, forests, swamps, and bayous. The Palmetto Trail is located right by the Welcome Center, and this short and sweet hike is perfect for kids. Not only will you have some spectacular views of the marshes and swamps, but the opportunity to see scores of wildlife. So grab your hiking boots, read up on the Palmetto Trail, then go check it out.

Address: 6588 Barataria Boulevard, Marrero, LA, 70072

1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

Perpetual Odyssey/Google

Named after the former mayor, Maurice "Moon" Landrieu, the Moonwalk is roughly a mile of paved walkway nestled right up against the Mississippi River. From the amazing water views to the cityscape in the distance, this is one of the most beautiful trails in New Orleans, and you don’t have to go very far to access it! So learn more about the Moonwalk, then take the whole family there to enjoy it.

Address: 1 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130

These are some of the best hikes in New Orleans for families with kids. And once you’ve explored all of those trails, consider visiting some nearby nature preserves to learn about our precious wetlands. You can read more about it in our previous article here.

How many of these trails have you been on? Let us know in the comments below!