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Bayou Sauvage NWR Ridge Trail & Boardwalk
4.4 ★★★★☆ 311 Google reviews · Running trail in New Orleans, Louisiana · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Bayou Sauvage NWR Ridge Trail & Boardwalk's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Wildlife viewing plus hiking area featuring cypress trees, swampy wetlands and a boardwalk.
What runners say about Bayou Sauvage NWR Ridge Trail & Boardwalk
“Located in a relatively quiet part of the city, this nature walk offers a well-maintained trail that winds through lush wetlands and offers views of local flora and fauna.”
“Beautiful nature and interesting informational signs.”
“The Walkway Nature Walk in New Orleans East offers a peaceful and immersive experience for nature lovers and those looking for a calm escape from the urban hustle.”
“The path is relatively flat, making it suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.”
One of my favorite Nature Preserve to stop by... It has wetlands, both swamp & marsh, so many, many critters call it home. You can look at, or explore, either by following the boardwalk - or - braving the terrain on foot.
Wonderful nature trail through the wetlands. Amazing biodiversity! No alligators visible when I was there, but I saw butterflies, turtles, rabbits, and lots of interesting birds. I heard some wild boars rooting around in the brush, but I couldn’t really see them.
The Walkway Nature Walk in New Orleans East offers a peaceful and immersive experience for nature lovers and those looking for a calm escape from the urban hustle.
Saw lizards, a snake, and even a couple wild boar! A smaller boardwalk around this marshy area provides a fun, quick getaway from the city life in NOLA. There is a longer drive down that it looks like you can do, also, when it is not in the waterfowl season, which looks like it is generally sometime from Novermber to…
Trail conditions & character
“The boardwalk is an excellent feature, allowing you to get up close to the wetlands without disturbing the natural habitat.”
“Located in a relatively quiet part of the city, this nature walk offers a well-maintained trail that winds through lush wetlands and offers views of local flora and fauna.”
“The Walkway Nature Walk in New Orleans East offers a peaceful and immersive experience for nature lovers and those looking for a calm escape from the urban hustle.”
“If you’re looking for a more social experience or facilities like restrooms or a café, this might not be the ideal destination.”
“The path is relatively flat, making it suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.”
“A short, easy, and dog friendly trail to appreciate nature!”
Plan your run at Bayou Sauvage NWR Ridge Trail & Boardwalk
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitefws.gov
- Phone(985) 882-2000
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near New Orleans
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,194 reviews
This protected marshland teeming with alligators & various bird species offers walkways & fishing.
Audubon Adventure Trail
5 ★★★★★ 7 reviews
Sankofa Wetland Park & Nature Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 105 reviews
Wetland area featuring walking paths amid native plants and trees as well as fauna, with picnic tables.
Crescent Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,510 reviews
Compact park along the river offering trails, picnic areas & views of the city skyline.
