Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is a national historical park and preserve run by the National Park Service in Louisiana.

In the park service’s words

In Jean Lafitte's day, silver and gold filled a pirate's treasure chest, but today's treasures are people, places, and memories. Discover New Orleans’ rich cultural mix. Learn Cajun traditions from people who live them. Watch an alligator bask on a bayou’s bank. Walk in the footsteps of the men who fought at 1815’s Battle of New Orleans. Follow the link to discover the treasure of Jean Lafitte.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Become a Jean Lafitte B.A.R.K. Ranger (10 to 30 Minutes): Hey dog! Do you want to explore parts of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve with your leash-holding companions? Interested in getting your very own B.A.R.K. Ranger dog tag? We made it easy for your human to help you get one. Just follow the B.A.R.K. Ranger code!
• Visit the Park Store: Looking for the perfect souvenir? Visit the Park Store! There's one at each of the park's six sites.
• Relax in Our Courtyard: Soak in history by taking a break.
• Discover Native Plants in Our Courtyard: Come discover yet another reason why the Louisiana delta is such a unique place, by visiting our urban collection of native plants!
• Chalmette National Cemetery Audio Tour (30 to 60 Minutes): This tour of the Chalmette National Cemetery shares a few of the thousands of stories of the men and women buried at the national cemetery, giving a voice to those who can no longer speak.
• Ask a Ranger: French Quarter: Curious about the French Quarter or New Orleans history? Ask a Ranger!
• Discover French Quarter Architecture: Take a stroll while you learn about architectural history.
• Explore Natural History at Barataria: Take a stroll through forest, swamp, and marsh on the Barataria Preserve audio tour.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. Each of Jean Lafitte's six sites is open year-round. See the specific site(s) you want to visit for operating hours and days information.

Getting there

Jean Lafitte's headquarters and the park's French Quarter Visitor Center are located at 419 Decatur Street in New Orleans. There are five other park sites scattered throughout south Louisiana. For information on all of the park sites and visitor centers, see the Directions Details link.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Barataria Preserve: Closed. The Visitor Center and most trails in the Preserve are closed for demolition and construction. The Twin Canals parking lot, trail, and canoe launch is open for day-use only visitor access, there are no restrooms. All visitor services are temporarily relocated to the Town of Jean Lafitte's Civic Center from 10 am - 2pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays until construction is complete. The Wetland Trace Boardwalk trail is located just six miles away at 4917 City Park Drive, Jean Lafitte, LA 70067 and open daily.
• Chalmette Battlefield and Chalmette National Cemetery: Daily, 9:30AM - 4:30PM. Chalmette Battlefield is open is open every day, including federal holidays. Chalmette Battlefield’s Visitor Center is open every day except select federal holidays. Vehicular gates are open 9:00 am-4:30 pm. The site is open to pedestrians year-round sunrise to sunset. Chalmette National Cemetery is open every day, including federal holidays. Vehicular gates are open from 9:00 am-4:30 pm, including federal holidays. It is open to pedestrians year-round from sunrise to sunset.
• French Quarter Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Wed 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Thu 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Fri 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Sat 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Sun Closed. The French Quarter Visitor Center is open year-round; it is closed on federal holidays and Mardi Gras. Closures for Mardi Gras are determined annually based on site accessibility and safety for visitors and employees. Announcements will be posted accordingly.
• Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center: Mon Closed; Tue 11:00AM - 7:00PM; Wed 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Thu 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Fri 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Sat 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Sun Closed. The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center is open year-round; it is closed on federal holidays and Mardi Gras. Closures for Mardi Gras are determined annually based on site accessibility and safety for visitors and employees. Announcements will be posted accordingly.
• Prairie Acadian Cultural Center: Mon Closed; Tue 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Wed 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Thu 12:00PM - 7:00PM; Fri 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Sat 9:30AM - 4:30PM; Sun Closed. The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is open year-round; it is closed on federal holidays. Closures for Mardi Gras are determined annually based on site accessibility and safety for visitors and employees. Announcements will be posted accordingly.
• Acadian Cultural Center: Closed. The Acadian Cultural Center is temporarily closed due to air conditioning issues.

Weather

All of the temperatures listed are in degrees Fahrenheit. Note that relative humidity, especially in summer months, can reach 90%, so temperatures can feel 10-20 degrees hotter than the actual temperature. Spring (March, April, May): average high 77 and low 61. Summer (June, July, August): average high 89 and low 75. Fall (September, October, November): average high 78 and low 64. Winter (December, January, February): average high 64 and low 48.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Hot Springs, about 366 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.