The weather is great right now to get outside and enjoy the cooler temperatures. There are so many scenic hikes in and around New Orleans, and these six hikes clock in at under a mile, making them great for family adventures or a quick and easy stroll through nature. In no particular order, here are some of the best hikes in New Orleans.
- Barataria Preserve, Marrero
Coffeespiral/Flickr Located just a 30-minute drive south of New Orleans, the trails at Barataria Preserve offer some truly spectacular scenery. All of the boardwalk and gravel trails are under two miles but the visitor center trail is just a quarter of a mile. It’s a great trail to take kids on and they’ll love getting to spot all of the wildlife among the bayous, swamps, and forests. This preserve has some of the most kid-friendly hikes around New Orleans. Address: 6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about hiking at Barataria Preserve. Barataria Preserve Visitor Center, 6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA
- Woldenberg Park, New Orleans
The Loup Garou/Trip Advisor This popular walking path along the river is great for sitting back and relaxing and watching the ships pass by or just soaking up some sunlight. There are multiple benches and tons of green space to sprawl out as well. Address: 1 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about the beautiful Woldenberg Park. 1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
- Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville
Northernneckin/Trip Advisor Tiny but mighty, this 98-acre state park nestled along the beautiful Tchefuncte River features a delightful little nature trail that’s only a quarter of a mile long and has some incredible views of the river. Despite being a short trail, it’s one of the most scenic hikes around New Orleans. Address: 119 Fairview Dr, Madisonville, LA 70447.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about the picture-perfect Fairview-Riverside State Park. 119 Fairview Dr, Madisonville, LA 70447, USA
- Woodlands Conservancy, Belle Chasse
Woodlands Conservancy/Facebook Head on over to Belle Chasse for some peace and quiet on the trails at the Woodlands Conservancy. The Upland Trail is about one-mile long and will lead you through some beautiful forested areas. If you’re up for it, consider tackling the Bottomland Trail. It’s six miles long, but will lead you to an incredible little historical relic. At the end of the trail, you’ll come across 10 WWII ammunition magazines, relics from when the area was once used by the military. It’s one of the best hikes around New Orleans. Address: 449 F Edward Hebert Blvd, Belle Chasse, Louisiana 70037.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about hiking at Woodlands Conservancy. 49 F Edward Hebert Blvd, Belle Chasse, LA 70037, USA
- Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, New Orleans
TKHershey/Trip Advisor The boardwalk trail at Bayou Sauvage is roughly 2/3 of a mile and is another trail that kids will love. You’ll have gorgeous views of the marshes and bottomland hardwood forests, and you may just spot some wildlife, too. It’s one of the most scenic hikes around New Orleans. Address: 20876 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about hiking at Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge. 20876 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129, USA
- Northlake Nature Center, Mandeville
Sean Hurly/All Trails Just across the Causeway in Mandeville lies a delightful hidden gem that’s perfect for those days when you just need to be surrounded by nature. There are three trails at the Northlake Nature Center, each one under two miles but the Eagle Trail is only 0.75 miles long and will lead you through some truly incredible scenery. These easy hikes near New Orleans are quite enjoyable. Address: 23135 US-190, Mandeville, LA 70448.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about hiking at Northlake Nature Center. 23135 U.S. Hwy 190, Mandeville, LA 70448, USA
If you want to tackle some longer trails near New Orleans, check out our previous article on several incredible hikes that are just a short drive from New Orleans
Coffeespiral/Flickr
Located just a 30-minute drive south of New Orleans, the trails at Barataria Preserve offer some truly spectacular scenery. All of the boardwalk and gravel trails are under two miles but the visitor center trail is just a quarter of a mile. It’s a great trail to take kids on and they’ll love getting to spot all of the wildlife among the bayous, swamps, and forests. This preserve has some of the most kid-friendly hikes around New Orleans. Address: 6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about hiking at Barataria Preserve.
Barataria Preserve Visitor Center, 6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA
The Loup Garou/Trip Advisor
This popular walking path along the river is great for sitting back and relaxing and watching the ships pass by or just soaking up some sunlight. There are multiple benches and tons of green space to sprawl out as well. Address: 1 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about the beautiful Woldenberg Park.
1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Northernneckin/Trip Advisor
Tiny but mighty, this 98-acre state park nestled along the beautiful Tchefuncte River features a delightful little nature trail that’s only a quarter of a mile long and has some incredible views of the river. Despite being a short trail, it’s one of the most scenic hikes around New Orleans. Address: 119 Fairview Dr, Madisonville, LA 70447.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about the picture-perfect Fairview-Riverside State Park.
119 Fairview Dr, Madisonville, LA 70447, USA
Woodlands Conservancy/Facebook
Head on over to Belle Chasse for some peace and quiet on the trails at the Woodlands Conservancy. The Upland Trail is about one-mile long and will lead you through some beautiful forested areas. If you’re up for it, consider tackling the Bottomland Trail. It’s six miles long, but will lead you to an incredible little historical relic. At the end of the trail, you’ll come across 10 WWII ammunition magazines, relics from when the area was once used by the military. It’s one of the best hikes around New Orleans. Address: 449 F Edward Hebert Blvd, Belle Chasse, Louisiana 70037.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about hiking at Woodlands Conservancy.
49 F Edward Hebert Blvd, Belle Chasse, LA 70037, USA
TKHershey/Trip Advisor
The boardwalk trail at Bayou Sauvage is roughly 2/3 of a mile and is another trail that kids will love. You’ll have gorgeous views of the marshes and bottomland hardwood forests, and you may just spot some wildlife, too. It’s one of the most scenic hikes around New Orleans. Address: 20876 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about hiking at Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge.
20876 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129, USA
Sean Hurly/All Trails
Just across the Causeway in Mandeville lies a delightful hidden gem that’s perfect for those days when you just need to be surrounded by nature. There are three trails at the Northlake Nature Center, each one under two miles but the Eagle Trail is only 0.75 miles long and will lead you through some truly incredible scenery. These easy hikes near New Orleans are quite enjoyable. Address: 23135 US-190, Mandeville, LA 70448.
Read our previous coverage to learn more about hiking at Northlake Nature Center.
23135 U.S. Hwy 190, Mandeville, LA 70448, USA
Have you been on any of these best hikes in New Orleans? Where’s your favorite nature trail in or around The Big Easy? Let us know in the comments below!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In New Orleans April 15, 2022 Melissa M. What are some of the best things to do in spring near New Orleans? While there are many things you can do outside year-round in and around New Orleans, there are some things that are just the best during the spring. Head over to City Park to see the flowers, especially the tulips, in bloom or check out the gardens at Longue Vue House and Gardens. What are some of the easiest hikes near New Orleans? There are plenty of easy hikes near The Big Easy that are as scenic as any of the longer, more challenging hikes around the state. Take, for example, The Lafitte Greenway, a pedestrian walkway that meanders through the city. You can also head to the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center for a stroll through the forest. Read our previous coverage to learn more. What is one of the best places to go camping near New Orleans? If you are itching to leave the city and go camping, make Tunica Hills Campground, a waterfall campground, your top choice. Here you will have easy access to Tunica Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In New Orleans
April 15, 2022
Melissa M.
What are some of the best things to do in spring near New Orleans? While there are many things you can do outside year-round in and around New Orleans, there are some things that are just the best during the spring. Head over to City Park to see the flowers, especially the tulips, in bloom or check out the gardens at Longue Vue House and Gardens. What are some of the easiest hikes near New Orleans? There are plenty of easy hikes near The Big Easy that are as scenic as any of the longer, more challenging hikes around the state. Take, for example, The Lafitte Greenway, a pedestrian walkway that meanders through the city. You can also head to the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center for a stroll through the forest. Read our previous coverage to learn more. What is one of the best places to go camping near New Orleans? If you are itching to leave the city and go camping, make Tunica Hills Campground, a waterfall campground, your top choice. Here you will have easy access to Tunica Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
While there are many things you can do outside year-round in and around New Orleans, there are some things that are just the best during the spring. Head over to City Park to see the flowers, especially the tulips, in bloom or check out the gardens at Longue Vue House and Gardens.
What are some of the easiest hikes near New Orleans?
There are plenty of easy hikes near The Big Easy that are as scenic as any of the longer, more challenging hikes around the state. Take, for example, The Lafitte Greenway, a pedestrian walkway that meanders through the city. You can also head to the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center for a stroll through the forest. Read our previous coverage to learn more.
What is one of the best places to go camping near New Orleans?
If you are itching to leave the city and go camping, make Tunica Hills Campground, a waterfall campground, your top choice. Here you will have easy access to Tunica Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state.
