Yes, you read that correctly! If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience that the whole family will enjoy, a visit to Barn Hill Preserve in Louisiana is in order. Little kids and adults alike will have the best day ever exploring this unique preserve that’s filled with exotic creatures that you can interact with. Gas up the car, because you’re going to want to take a road trip to this incredible hidden gem where you can swim with otters in Louisiana.

Barn Hill Preserve is located in Ethel, Louisiana.
Google Maps
If you’re not familiar with this tiny East Feliciana Parish village, it’s just outside of St. Francisville, north of Slaughter.
Established in 2012, this hands-on animal preserve is great for families with kids of all ages.
Barn Hill Preserve/Facebook
Even a group of adults would have a blast here.
At Barn Hill Preserve features seven acres of beautiful landscape that countless exotic animals call home.
Daniel Hill/Google
All of the animals here are either surrendered by owners or come from other zoos.
During your guided walking tour, you’ll have the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the beautiful creatures.
Barn Hill Preserve/Facebook
Camels, lynx, and eagle owls are just a few of the species you’ll see.
The Animal Encounter section of the tour is where you’ll get hands-on.
Barn Hill Preserve/Facebook
Visitors can interact with kangaroo joeys and baby ant-eaters, all under the supervision of a trained professional.
You’ll also be surrounded by countless macaws.
Barn Hill Preserve/Facebook
Barn Hill Preserve offers a home to free-flying macaws that are surrounded by their owners. The preserve provides a forever home for these colorful birds and allows them to free-fly throughout the area.

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You’ll even get a chance to lounge around with a sloth!
Da 5 7 Uh Oh Sisters/Google
There are less than 20 locations in the country where you can interact with sloths, and Barn Hill Preserve is one of them.
During the Sloth Encounters, the sloths are placed on a pillow on your lap.
Kevin Daste/Google/Facebook
You can your new best friend can just cuddle up together.
While all of the creature features at Barn Hill Preserve are wildly fun, one of the main attractions is the Otter Swim.
Barn Hill Preserve/Facebook
It’s a once in a lifetime experience!
The Otter Swim encounters are three hours long and include a guided tour of the facility followed by the opportunity to swim with Asian small-clawed otters.
Barn Hill Preserve/Facebook
How could you possibly say no to a cute little face like this!
There’s no other place in Louisiana where you can have this type of experience.
Barn Hill Preserve/Facebook
Just remember, you need to be 16 years or older to participate.
Encounter Tours and Otter Swims are only offered on the weekends and require appointments, so be sure to schedule yours ahead of time.
Thomas Harrison/Google
Encounter Tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Otter Swims are offered from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about Barn Hill Preserve, be sure to check out their website and follow them on Facebook.

Have you ever visited Barn Hill Preserve? Are there any other cool animal experiences you know of in Louisiana that people can have? Nominate them here!

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Swim With Otters In Louisiana

Leah | April 23, 2021

What are the most unique things to do in Louisiana?

Other than animal encounters, there are many one-of-a-kind experiences you can have in Louisiana. If you don't mind seeing animals that are not quite alive anymore but can appreciate seeing them nonetheless, the Touchstone Wildlife and Art Museum in Haughton, Louisiana certainly stands out. With over 1,000 mounts of animals from all over the globe, it's a sort of zoo of its own. Speaking of unusual museums, a trip to the National Hansen's Disease Museum in Carville, Louisiana is an experience you won't find anywhere in the world. It's definitely fascinating in a unique way.

Are there any other zoos in Louisana?

Louisiana has a wide variety of zoos and exotic animal preserves. The Audubon Zoo in New Orleans has an expansive list of animals on display. It's home to over 2,000 animals, so you know you have a lot to look at when you visit. Some of the creatures you see include orangutangs, lions, giant anteaters, and even a rare blue-eyed white alligator. Along with zoos, you can't go wrong with aquariums to explore life under the sea. The Shreveport Aquarium in Shreveport, Louisiana is home to over 3,000 animals, including aquarium favorites like sharks, rays, and jellyfish. It's easy to spend all day staring in mesmerization at their huge, colorful tanks.

What other animal encounters in Louisiana can I have?

After you've visited the Barn Hill Preserve in Louisiana, you aren't done yet with animal encounters in the state. The Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, Louisiana has an entire safari tour where you can feed animals like giraffes, zebras, and bison while riding in one of the covered safari wagons. How cool is that? Speaking of safaris, the Wildlife Country Safari Park, located in Dehli, Louisiana, offers another thrilling drive. You'll see everything from water buffalo to antelopes, and some of the encounters you'll have are quite close. Either of these locations are perfect for a family outing.

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Barn Hill Preserve, 11342 LA-955, Ethel, LA 70730, USA