If you are itching to spend some time outdoors, a waterfront trail is just the ticket. These waterfront trails near New Orleans are incredibly scenic and offer a glimpse of our beautiful bayous and swamps that surround us. Most of these trails are under 3 miles, making them easy to knock out before lunch. Bring the kids and have an outdoor exploration day!
- Bayou Sauvage Ridge Trail
Jeff Aguero/Google This boardwalk trail is roughly 1/2-mile long and is a great option for families with little ones. The refuge contains a wide variety of habitats including bottomland hardwoods, brackish and freshwater marshes, canals, lagoons, and lazy bayous. Learn more about Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge here.
Address: 20876 Chef Menteur Highway, New Orleans, LA, 70129
- Barataria Preserve
Jackie Ann/Flickr There are dozens of beautiful boardwalk trails that will take you beyond the bayou at Barataria Preserve. Located just a short drive from the city in Marrero, the preserve includes over 20,000 miles of beautiful wetlands filled with wildlife. Put this place towards the top of your bucket list this summer. Learn more about Barataria Preserve here.
Address: 6588 Barataria Boulevard, Marrero, LA, 70072
- Fontainebleau State Park
Wanderlust_at_dawn/Trip Advisor Just a short trip across the Causeway and you’ll find yourself at Fontainebleau State Park. The park has a 5-mile hiking trail and a nature trail that’s just over a mile in length and features beautiful marsh and lake views. Learn more about Fontainebleau State Park here.
Address: 62883 LA-1089, Mandeville, LA, 70471
- Northlake Nature Center
Saad Bhamia/Google While you’re on the northshore, pop on over to the Northlake Nature Center. It’s located just down the street from Fontainebleau State Park and features three different boardwalk and gravel trails with stunning bayou and swamp views. Learn more about Northlake Nature Center here.
Address: 23135 US-190, Mandeville, LA, 70448
- Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Saurabh/Google Right in the heart of the city lies a beautiful little paved walkway that is a great place for a casual stroll, bike ride or morning jog. You’ll have some truly impressive views of the Mighty Mississippi, and there are several benches peppered throughout the walkway so you can sit for a spell and watch the ships sail by.
Address: 1 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130
- Audubon Louisiana Nature Center
Taff Rivers Jr./Google For an outdoor excursion the little ones will love, head over to this hidden gem over in New Orleans East. Explore over 80 acres of hardwood bottom forest through a series of boardwalk and gravel interpretive trails that will leave you mesmerized. Learn more about the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center here.
11000 Lake Forest Boulevard, New Orleans, LA, 70127
- Mississippi River Trail
VeraFromSedona/Trip Advisor New Orleans has two Mississippi River trails, one on each bank. The West Bank trail clocks in at just over 5-miles and the East Bank, which runs west for about 60 miles. No matter which trail you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a front row seat to some spectacular river views.
Where’s your favorite waterfront trail? Let us know in the comments below!
Jeff Aguero/Google
This boardwalk trail is roughly 1/2-mile long and is a great option for families with little ones. The refuge contains a wide variety of habitats including bottomland hardwoods, brackish and freshwater marshes, canals, lagoons, and lazy bayous. Learn more about Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge here.
Address: 20876 Chef Menteur Highway, New Orleans, LA, 70129
Jackie Ann/Flickr
There are dozens of beautiful boardwalk trails that will take you beyond the bayou at Barataria Preserve. Located just a short drive from the city in Marrero, the preserve includes over 20,000 miles of beautiful wetlands filled with wildlife. Put this place towards the top of your bucket list this summer. Learn more about Barataria Preserve here.
Address: 6588 Barataria Boulevard, Marrero, LA, 70072
Wanderlust_at_dawn/Trip Advisor
Just a short trip across the Causeway and you’ll find yourself at Fontainebleau State Park. The park has a 5-mile hiking trail and a nature trail that’s just over a mile in length and features beautiful marsh and lake views. Learn more about Fontainebleau State Park here.
Address: 62883 LA-1089, Mandeville, LA, 70471
Saad Bhamia/Google
While you’re on the northshore, pop on over to the Northlake Nature Center. It’s located just down the street from Fontainebleau State Park and features three different boardwalk and gravel trails with stunning bayou and swamp views. Learn more about Northlake Nature Center here.
Address: 23135 US-190, Mandeville, LA, 70448
Saurabh/Google
Right in the heart of the city lies a beautiful little paved walkway that is a great place for a casual stroll, bike ride or morning jog. You’ll have some truly impressive views of the Mighty Mississippi, and there are several benches peppered throughout the walkway so you can sit for a spell and watch the ships sail by.
Address: 1 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130
Taff Rivers Jr./Google
For an outdoor excursion the little ones will love, head over to this hidden gem over in New Orleans East. Explore over 80 acres of hardwood bottom forest through a series of boardwalk and gravel interpretive trails that will leave you mesmerized. Learn more about the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center here.
11000 Lake Forest Boulevard, New Orleans, LA, 70127
VeraFromSedona/Trip Advisor
New Orleans has two Mississippi River trails, one on each bank. The West Bank trail clocks in at just over 5-miles and the East Bank, which runs west for about 60 miles. No matter which trail you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a front row seat to some spectacular river views.
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