The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area invites you to paddle the nation’s largest river swamp, explore Cajun culture and savor world-famous crawfish.
At a Glance
Known For: the nation's largest river swamp, Cajun and Zydeco culture, swamp tours and paddling and world-famous crawfish
Top Places to Explore: Breaux Bridge, the Crawfish Capital of the World; Henderson, the gateway to the Atchafalaya Basin; and St. Martinville, home of the legendary Evangeline Oak
Top Things to Do: take a swamp tour through moss-draped cypress forest, paddle Lake Martin, dance to Cajun and Zydeco music, and tour the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site
Major Events: the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in May
Things to Do in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
Stretching across South-Central Louisiana, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area spans nearly 150 miles from the Baton Rouge Area south toward the Gulf. This vast network of bottomland hardwoods, cypress-tupelo swamps, prairies, marshes and coastline is coupled with the region’s signature Cajun culture.
Start your visit at the Atchafalaya Welcome Center in Breaux Bridge, where exhibits highlight the unique flora, fauna and cultures found throughout the region. Then take a swamp tour through the basin's moss-draped cypress forest, where you can spot alligators, wading birds and other wildlife. Companies like Champagne's Cajun Swamp Tours guide eco-tours of Lake Martin — part of the Cypress Island Preserve and one of Louisiana's largest nesting areas for wading birds. The Atchafalaya Experience and Atchafalaya Basin Landing & Swamp Tours in Henderson offer airboat rides deep into the wilderness. For a slower pace, paddle Lake Martin, where little blue herons, snowy egrets and spoonbills glide through cypress and tupelo bottomlands, or rent a kayak or bike to explore the levees, bayous and Cajun communities that dot the region.
History runs deep here, too. In St. Martinville, one of Louisiana's oldest towns, visit the legendary Evangeline Oak, the storied meeting place of Longfellow's star-crossed lovers, and tour the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site, where the circa-1815 Maison Olivier overlooks Bayou Teche.
Places to Stay in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
For a stay unlike any other, rent a houseboat on Henderson Lake through Cypress Cove, where the views of Spanish moss-draped cypress can't be beat. Prefer solid ground? Book a room at Bayou Cabins Bed and Breakfast in Breaux Bridge, steps from swamp tours and famous Cajun restaurants, or browse more places to stay in Henderson, the gateway to the Atchafalaya Basin.
What to Eat in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is a food lover's paradise, especially if you love crawfish. Kick off a Saturday with coffee and boudin pie from Pont Breaux Coffee House or a plate lunch at Charlie T's. Over in Henderson, dine on fresh seafood with a view of the water at Pat's Fisherman's Wharf. Wherever you land, save room for the region's namesake delicacy, crawfish, prepared every way imaginable.
Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Events & Festivals
The region's biggest party is the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, held the first full week of May in Parc Hardy. Recognized by the Louisiana Legislature in 1959 as the "Crawfish Capital of the World," Breaux Bridge draws close to three dozen Cajun, Zydeco and swamp pop bands across multiple stages, along with crawfish races, dance contests and a crawfish-eating contest. Visit anytime from February to mid-May and you're likely to find a crawfish festival happening somewhere nearby.
Plan Your Visit
The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is easy to navigate by car, with Interstate 10 running along its northern edge and Breaux Bridge sitting just 20 minutes from the Lafayette Regional Airport.
For more trip-planning information, visit Explore Louisiana, the state's official tourism website.
Discover America's Foreign Country on the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area?
Established in 2006, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is a 150-mile region spanning 14 parishes in South-Central Louisiana that follows the Atchafalaya River and Basin, the nation's largest river swamp. It's known for its Cajun culture, swamp tours, paddling and biking trails, and world-famous crawfish.
What are the best things to do in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area?
Some of the best things to do include taking a guided swamp tour of the Atchafalaya Basin, paddling or birding at Lake Martin and visiting the Evangeline Oak and Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site in St. Martinville.
What is the best time of year to visit?
Late April through May is an especially lively time to visit, when crawfish festival season is in full swing, including the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. Fall and winter bring cooler, more comfortable weather for swamp tours and paddling.
How do I get to the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area?
The area is easily accessible from Interstate 10, with Breaux Bridge about 20 minutes from the Lafayette Regional Airport and roughly two hours from both Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Where can I get more travel information about the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area?
For more information, visit the Atchafalaya Welcome Center in Breaux Bridge or visit Explore Louisiana, the state's official tourism website.