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New Orleans, Orleans Parish / Parks and outdoors

Couturie Forest

A 60-acre urban wilderness in New Orleans City Park, renowned as a premier bird-watching destination with eight distinct ecosystems and the city's highest point of elevation.

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Couturie Forest
neworleanscitypark.org, og_image_neworleanscitypark.org

What is Couturie Forest known for?

Couturie Forest is a 60-acre nature area in New Orleans City Park known as the city's top bird-watching destination. It features eight distinct ecosystems, native trees, scenic waterways, and Laborde Mountain, which is the highest point of elevation in New Orleans.

What are the hours?

Couturie Forest and its perimeter trail are open daily.

Are there hiking trails?

Yes, there is a main 1-mile mulch perimeter trail that winds through the forest.

Is it handicapped-accessible?

No, the site is not handicapped-accessible.

Where do I enter the forest?

One access point is the parking lot at 1035 Harrison Ave., where visitors can walk over a pedestrian bridge to enter.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Couturie Forest is a 60-acre nature preserve within the larger 1,300-acre New Orleans City Park. It was first established in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration and named for René Couturie, who provided a bequest to the site. The area serves as a tranquil woodland sanctuary for native trees and diverse wildlife, featuring scenic waterways and lagoons. Historically, the forest was once a landfill, but it has been transformed into a thriving native habitat. Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, volunteers worked tirelessly to replant up to 6,500 new trees, ensuring the forest's recovery and continued growth. Today, the forest is recognized as one of the most heavily birded urban sites in the United States, attracting thousands of checklists recorded on eBird due to its proximity to Lake Pontchartrain, which makes it a magnet for migratory songbirds. Visitors can explore the area via the Couturie Forest Perimeter Trail, a one-mile mulch trail that was reestablished in 2007. This primitive trail winds through 26 acres of passive urban forestry. The forest also contains eight distinct ecosystems and is home to Laborde Mountain, which is the highest point of elevation in New Orleans. Because the terrain is primitive and the trails are mulch-based, the site is not handicapped-accessible. This makes it a specialized nature experience within the heart of the city, offering a deep dive into the local ecology of the lowland forests.

Visitor tips

  • Enter from the parking lot at 1035 Harrison Ave and walk over the pedestrian bridge to begin your visit.
  • Bring binoculars for bird-watching, as this is one of the most heavily birded urban sites in the country.
  • Wear sturdy shoes suitable for mulch trails, as the site is not handicapped-accessible.
  • The forest is open daily, so plan your visit for early morning to maximize bird sightings.

Nearby context

Couturie Forest is located within New Orleans City Park, a massive urban park that also houses the New Orleans Botanical Garden and the largest grove of mature live oaks in the world.

Sources

Evidence and links