Swamp trails are a wonderful way to view Louisiana’s beautiful wetlands. These boardwalk trails weave throughout Louisiana’s marshes, swamps, and bayous, giving us a glimpse of these majestic waterways that wouldn’t be accessible any other way. One of the perks to these swamp trails in Louisiana is that you often stand a great chance of seeing the local wildlife, and alligators are always the number one suspect when traversing these trails. While alligator sightings are never guaranteed, the odds are always in your favor when you visit Barataria Preserve.

For anyone looking to trade cityscapes for the swamps, there’s no better place to be than Barataria Preserve.
Mark Nekic/All Trails
There is a labyrinth of trails here, but we’ll be focusing on the Bayou Coquille Trail, which connects to the Marsh Overlook. Each of these trails is 0.5 miles long, making the entire out-and-back trip just shy of two miles.
The boardwalk trail weaves throughout the preserve’s 20,000+ acres, and you’re all but guaranteed to see some wildlife along the way, so keep your eyes peeled.
Benjamin Rollins/All Trails
Common sightings are lizards, snakes, and turtles, but we know you didn't take the trail to see a common lizard.
The preserve is home to hundreds, if not thousands, of alligators, and during the warmer months, they'll make their presence known.
Jeff Walker/Google Reviews
Alligators are cold-blooded creatures, so they need a good sunny spot to soak up those rays to maintain their internal temperature.

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Sometimes, the perfect sun spot is right along the trail!
Edward Delorey/All Trails
Generally speaking, alligators are more scared of us than we are of them and very rarely attack. While you're welcome to view them from a safe distance, remember to never feed the wildlife. These wild critters shouldn't become dependent on humans for food, and it never ends well for the animal. Just snap a photo from afar and move along!
While alligators are the most popular animal you'll see around the trail, the preserve is home to so many swamp critters, like deer, wild hogs, and raccoons.
Kerry Barber/All Trails
Not to mention an endless supply of herons, egrets, and anhinga!
99% of the time, the alligators are in the water or along the banks, but every now and then, one decides to check out the trail.
Kristen Knight/Google Reviews
That, my friend, is a good indicator that your time on the trail is done and you should turn around. Remember, you're in their home!

Visit the Barataria Preserve website before you head over so you can see a trail map and any updated trail closings. The park closes down a few trails during nesting season, which is usually in the fall, so keep that in mind as you plan your adventure!

For more alligator sightings, how about taking this epic seven-part zipline in Louisiana? You’ll be soaring over a live alligator pond that’s home to about 300 gators!

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Featured Addresses
Barataria Preserve Visitor Center, 6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA