Article Summary: Louisiana National Parks, National Parks in Louisiana, National Parks Near New Orleans
While Louisiana may not have many national parks, the few you’ll find are impressive. They cover a wide range of topics from Native Americans to jazz music to the stunning beauty of the bayou. In fact, one of the national parks in Louisiana is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Keep reading to learn more about the national parks in Louisiana, including how to get there, maps, things to do, and more.
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Table of Contents
Map of National Parks in Louisiana
Does Louisiana Have a National Park?
Yes! National Parks are defined as any site managed by the National Park Service. It does not include any of these 63 National Parks. Here’s a list of the national parks in Louisiana:
- Cane River Creole National Historical Park
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park
- New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
- Poverty Point National Monument
National Parks in Louisiana Road Trip Itinerary
Fly in/out: New Orleans
Day 1: On your first day, explore the two Louisiana national parks near New Orleans. Both Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park have visitor centers in downtown New Orleans. Furthermore, you can venture outside the city to see the bayou protected by Jean Lafitte.
Day 2: The following day, depart New Orleans and head northwest toward Cane River Creole. This is about a 4-hour drive.
Day 3: Next, drive 3 hours to Poverty Point, located in northeast Louisiana.
Day 4: Finally, head back to New Orleans to explore the city further or head home. Alternatively, extend your trip and visit some of the national parks in Mississippi as you make your way south.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park
Cane River Creole National Historical Park, one of the four national parks in Louisiana, preserves the history of the Creole people in addition to two plantation homes. For over 200 years, generations of the same Creole families lived on these lands both as slaves and tenants.
The two plantation houses, Magnolia and Oakland, are two of the best-preserved Creole cotton plantations in the country. They’re known for distinctive Creole architecture and multi-cultural legacy.
Can you imagine the stories these walls could tell?
How to Get There: From I-49, take exit 127 for the Oakland Plantation or exit 119 for the Magnolia Plantation.
Map: download here
Things to Do: Guided tours of the plantation homes and grounds are offered by park rangers Monday through Friday.
Park Entrance Fee: None
Where to Stay: Days Inn, Best Western, Church Street Inn, Opus House
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (318) 352-0383 ext. 316
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Did you know that one of the national parks in Louisiana is the only one in America named for a pirate?
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve was established to protect vital examples of the cultural and natural resources in Louisiana’s Mississippi Delta. The park features everything from pirate treasures, battlegrounds, Cajun traditions, and the bayou.
The park is split into six distinct sites to illustrate natural history and culture. The Barataria Preserve showcases Louisiana’s wetlands, pristinely preserved a mere 17 miles from New Orleans. Additionally, you can visit the Chalmette Battlefield to learn about the 1815 Battle of New Orleans.
Lastly, the many visitor centers and cultural centers (French Quarter Visitor Center, Acadian Cultural Center, Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, and Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center) offer a glimpse into the area’s unique past.
How to Get There: Since the park is split into six sites, you have to choose where you’d like to go first. Consult this page for directions to each area of Jean Lafitte.
Map: download here
Things to Do: Outdoor recreation activities, guided tours, ranger programs, cultural centers, boat tours, and more.
Park Entrance Fee: None
Where to Stay: Auld Sweet Olive B&B, La Quinta, Hilton Garden Inn, French Market Inn
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (504) 589-3882
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
As New Orleans has the only park named for a pirate, it also has the only park named for a genre of music.
At the visitor center in New Orleans’ French Quarter, discover the beginning of the musical phenomenon the city is so well known for. Jazz is America’s most easily-recognized musical genre influenced by indigenous culture, and many of its origins are found right here.
In addition to learning about the origin, progression, and development of jazz, you can see it performed live. Many jazz concerts and performances from park rangers are scheduled regularly at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
Of all the national parks in Louisiana, this just might be the most unique.
How to Get There: The physical address for the visitor center is 916 North Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70116. It is located in the French Quarter of downtown New Orleans.
Map: download here
Things to Do: Walking tours, museums, and cultural history. Check the calendar of events for scheduled performances.
Park Entrance Fee: None
Where to Stay: Lamothe House Hotel, Green House Inn, Holiday Inn, Homewood Suites
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (504) 589-4841
Poverty Point National Monument
Since reading the introduction, you may be wondering which of the national parks in Louisiana is also a World Heritage Site, and you’ve found it.
Poverty Point National Monument honors a culture that thrived 2,000-3,000 years ago. At this archaeological site, you’ll find some of the largest prehistoric earthworks on the continent. Therefore, it’s one of the most important archaeological sites in North America.
Furthermore, this engineering marvel was the base for a trade network spanning hundreds of miles. This “engineering marvel”, as the National Park Service calls it, is the result of five million hours of labor.
Visit Poverty Point to discover the impressive earthworks and learn about the culture of these highly sophisticated individuals.
How to Get There: The physical address is 6859 Hwy. 577, Pioneer, LA 71266. Take I-20 to Delhi. More detailed directions are available here.
Map: download here
Things to Do: Museum, special events, ranger programs, guided tours
Park Entrance Fee: $4 per person. These fees are managed by the State of Louisiana rather than the National Park Service.
Where to Stay: The Mansion at Red Hill, Executive Inn Express, Champions Black Bear Lodge
Official Website: click here
Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (318) 926-5492
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