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6 Incredible National Parks in Louisiana

Victoria Green

Here are all the national parks in Louisiana that you need to visit!

If you haven’t gotten around to visiting any of the national parks in Louisiana yet then you are being outright not kind to yourself. 

Don’t assume we are going overboard with this statement. Instead, acknowledge it as a fact. 

If you have any unyielding doubts regarding the charm and benefit of a trip to the Louisiana parks then be ready to get persuaded.

The numerous outdoor activities, sightseeing, and cultural values of all of the national parks in Louisiana will have you planning for a trip in no time. 

So read ahead for a list of all the Louisiana national parks. These will prove to be the best travel destinations for an out-of-town visit whether you’re going on a getaway in the south or a long vacation.

How Many National Parks Are in Louisiana?

There are six national parks in Louisiana, including national service sites recognized by the US National Park Service.

One is shared with Mississippi, Vicksburg, and the other with Texas, El Camino Real de Los Tejas.

National Parks in Louisiana

Here are all the national parks in Louisiana in an alphabetical particular order.

1. Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Cane River Creole National Historical Park is one of the National Parks in Louisiana
Cane River Creole is one of the National Parks in Louisiana

Situated in the Cane River region of Louisiana, the Cane River Creole National Historical Park was established in 1994. 

The renowned Park houses two cotton plantations of the French, which are an important historic site.

The structures, landscapes, buildings, and all other artifacts of the plantations are years old and to this day, remain in their original forms.

Just so you can have an idea, this Louisiana park includes an amazingly diverse range of artifacts, a million to be exact. 

In addition, it also offers its visitors a chance to encounter more than 64 historic structures and learn the history of plantation agriculture. 

The park is also considered to be a part of the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail. 

A characteristic that distinguishes this site from other national parks in Louisiana is that this park is heavy on Creole culture. 

Therefore, it aims to bring the stories of the Creolians–the people born in Louisiana during the French or Spanish periods to the surface through its various artifacts.

The cotton plantations’ origins, Oakland and Magnolia, can be traced back to the 18th century. These plantation communities were self-sufficient and grew all the crops that were needed themselves.

At present, the Oakland plantation is regarded as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. 

Everyone is allowed to visit the grounds of these sites between 8 AM-4 PM except on holidays. Tour services for these sites are also available.

2. El Camino Real de Los Tejas National Historic Trail

El Camino Real de Los Tejas National Historic Trail is one of the National Parks in Louisiana

The El Camino Real de Los Tejas National Historic Trail is a renowned trail with scenic routes covering the US portion of the El Camino thoroughfare.

The trail came into being when a Spanish governor established it as a corridor for use during expeditions to East Texas, and as such, it is one of the national parks in Texas too.

In 2004, the El Camino was registered as a unit in the National Trails System by the National Park Service and at present, the trail is divided into four sections.

While most of the national historic trail is in the great state of Texas, you can still experience interesting sites in Louisiana.

Some of the historic places you can visit along the trail in Louisiana are the Los Adaes State Historic Site, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, Natchitoches Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cane River National Heritage Area, and the 19th-century Fort Jesup State Historic Site, which was built to protect the United States border with Spain and to return the order to the Neutral Strip.

3. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is one of the National Parks in Louisiana

The third one on the list of the worth-visiting national parks of Louisiana is the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. 

This park is responsible for protecting the natural as well cultural resources of the Mississippi River Delta.

It has been named after a French pirate and is divided into six separate sites with an additional park headquarter. 

Situated in the South of Louisiana, the Barataria unit of the national park is a fascinating site that sheds light on the natural and cultural significance of the region. 

The preserve offers entertaining outdoor activities such as canoe tours and miles of hiking trails. Beyond that, the scenery of this unit includes forests, swamps, and numerous marshes. 

In addition to this, there is also an education center offering programming courses and a visitor’s center that includes films and exhibits.

For those of you who are history buffs, the Chalmette unit will be a sight to behold.

The unit is a cemetery for the American Civil War soldiers and is the location where the battle of New Orleans took place. 

To commemorate the sacrifice of the veteran, a 100-feet-tall monument was also installed at the site.

The park also includes a French Quarter where you can learn everything about the history of New Orleans and the Mississippi River’s Delta region.

On top of that, the Chalmette site is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

4. New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is one of the National Parks in Louisiana
Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock.com

The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is another renowned national park in Louisiana and hands down one of the best places to visit in the south

It is situated in the neighborhood of Treme in New Orleans in the vicinity of the French Quarter. (Great option if you don’t feel like going on a day trip from New Orleans to visit a national park!)

A remarkable characteristic of this park, which is different from all the other national parks in Louisiana, is the site’s relationship with music. 

To all the music fans out there, you owe this park a long-overdue visit. 

This Louisiana national park was created in 1994 to celebrate the evolution of jazz music and contains not only a visitor center but also a concert venue. 

The New Orleans Jazz provides visitors with a venue for sharing the cultural history of jazz, including the people and places that helped in the progression, development, and shaping of this incredible genre of music in New Orleans. 

On top of that, the staff provides information about the origin of this popular genre of music through interpretive techniques.

The highlight of this site is the Perseverance Hall no.4 which was initially a Masonic Lodge. 

Since the lodge was built in 1820, it is considered to be the oldest Masonic temple situated in Louisiana. The hall was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

5. Poverty Point National Monument

Poverty Point National Monument is one of the National Parks in Louisiana

The Poverty Point State Historic Site is located in the Northern part of Louisiana and extends to the Southeastern Woodlands. 

The prestige of this place is self-explanatory as it is recognized as a historic landmark, state historic site, and a National Monument by the United States government. 

In addition to this, it is also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The site’s notable features include earthen ridges, mounds, and the central plaza. Six C-shaped peaks are separated from one another through a swale. 

These ridges are so high up that their geometrical shape could not be recognized for a long time until they were photographed partially.

Situated between the most inner concentric ridge and the Macaron ridge is the “plaza.” 

Other vital features of this place include large post holes and rings of wood posts. It has been concluded that the plaza is a part of the landscape constructed by the Native Americans long ago. 

The site is also home to numerous mounds named after letters. Besides, the Lower Jack and Motley Mounds stand 10 feet tall and resemble a cone shape.

On top of that, it is the only site in Louisiana that UNESCO has recognized.

Pssst: America the Beautiful Pass covers a vast number of national parks through the US, including Vicksburg Military Park. If you’re visiting a few parks in a 12-month period. It is worth buying it! Click here to buy yours!

6. Vicksburg National Military Park

Vicksburg National Military Park is one of the National Parks in Louisiana

This national park located in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi preserves the site of the American Civil War of Vicksburg.

The various monuments, memorials, and trenches constructed in the park force one to ponder upon the sacrifice of those before us for the greater good. 

Beyond that, this national military park includes an insane number of monuments, about 1,325 to be more exact.

Apart from this, there are also other enjoyable things to do and experience such as 12.5 miles of walking trails, a tour road, antebellum architecture, emplaced canons, and a gunboat used in the war.

On top of that, the cemetery located inside the park holds the burial of more than 18,000 people while the Grant’s Canal, a rather detached part of the park, holds significance because it was a project of the soldiers at war but could not fulfill the technical requirements.

The park is not only listed in the National Register of Historic Places but is nevertheless visited by half a million people every year.

Louisiana National Parks Map

Here’s a free map you can use on your mobile with all the national parks in Louisiana. Click here to access the map.

Final Thoughts on the National Parks in Louisiana

Whether you are a history buff or a music aficionado, an adrenaline junkie who prefers outdoor activities, or someone who loves being around nature, these national parks in Louisiana have something for everyone. 

So don’t miss out on these historical places and visit them at your earliest. You won’t regret it!

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