Barataria Preserve at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

PARK OVERVIEW

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is located in and around New Orleans, Louisiana. Six individual sites work together to protect the cultural history and natural resources of the Mississippi River Delta region. The park is named after the French pirate Jean Lafitte, who played a role in the defense of the United States during the Battle of New Orleans, one of the final battles of the War of 1812.

The main park site is the French Quarter Visitor Center in downtown New Orleans. Two more sites are just outside of New Orleans: Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery and the Barataria Preserve. Three cultural centers in south-central Louisiana make up the remaining park sites. The Acadian Cultural Center is located in Lafayette; the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is in Eunice; and the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center is in Thibodaux.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve was established when Congress passed the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978, authorizing the creation of a multi-site park. Chalmette National Historical Park (which included Chalmette Battlefield and Chalmette National Cemetery), Barataria Preserve, and the French Quarter facilities were initially combined. In 1988, the three Acadian cultural centers were officially added to the park.

Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

While Jean Lafitte did help the United States win the Battle of New Orleans, he is a known slave trader. Thus, it is very odd that in this era of political correctness that the name of the park has not been changed, especially during the past administrations of Joe Biden and Barrack Obama. Changing names of landmarks, parks, monuments, and other cultural centers of importance all because of the shifting winds of politics is never a good idea, but in the case of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, the name should be changed, but not because of Lafitte’s connection to the slave trade. Today’s park has expanded to the point that it really has nothing much to do with him. The only mention of his name is at the Chalmette Battlefield. The French Quarter Visitor Center is all about the history and culture of New Orleans. The three cultural centers have nothing to do with Lafitte. And the Batataria Preserve, while supposedly the location of his hideout / headquarters, is a hiking and outdoor recreation area. The name of the park should be New Orleans National Historical Park because that’s what it’s all about—the history of New Orleans.

Chalmette Battlefield at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

OPERATING HOURS

The operating hours for Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve vary per location. The current schedule is available on the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the park.

FEES

There are no fees to visit Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

SCHEDULING YOUR TIME

French Quarter Visitor Center
allow 30 to 60 minutes

Chalmette Battlefield and Visitor Center
allow 1 to 2 hours

Chalmette National Cemetery
allow 30 minutes

Acadian Cultural Center
allow 1 to 2 hours

Prairie Acadian Cultural Center
allow 1 to 2 hours

Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center
allow 1 to 2 hours

Barataria Preserve
time spent depends largely on the number of trails hiked

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