๐Ÿ•๏ธNational Park Data
A small cabin sits beneath the branches of a Live Oak in the Oakland Plantation Quarters.
A raised Creole cottage surrounded by oak trees.
The sunrise shines through Live Oak trees at Oakland Plantation.
Brick cabins built to house enslaved workers, served as homes for tenant farmers into the 1960s.
Two rows of Live Oak trees stretch from the Cane River to the Oakland Plantation Main House.
This wood screw cotton press was used at Magnolia Plantation to form cotton into bales for market.
National Historical Park

Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Louisiana

๐Ÿ’ฐ
Entrance Fee
Free
๐Ÿ•
Hours
Varies by day
๐Ÿ“
Location
Natchitoches Parish, LA
๐Ÿ“ž
Visitor Center
318-352-0383

The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells their stories and preserves the cultural landscape of Oakland and Magnolia Plantations, two of the most intact Creole cotton plantations in the United States.

Ad: content-inline-1

About Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Cane River Creole National Historical Park is a national historical park located in Louisiana. Weather in central Louisiana can be unpredictable. Summers are hot and humid. Winter is relatively mild with measurable snowfall every 5-10 years. Average rainfall is approximately 55-60 inches per year. The area is also subject to severe thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. Visitors might want to bring hats, umbrellas, and drink plenty of water. Please check the local weather forecast before planning your visit to the park.

To reach Oakland Plantation, take I-49 to Exit 127, Flora/Cypress. Head east on LA Highway 120 toward Cypress. Cross over LA Highway 1 onto LA Highway 494. The parking lot and entrance pavilion for Oakland is 4.5 miles east of Highway 1 on the left. To reach Magnolia Plantation, take I-49 to Exit 119, Cloutierville. Cross over LA Highway 1 onto LA Highway 119. Follow Highway 119 for 1.1 miles; the visitor parking lot will be on the right just before the plantation store.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Entrance Fees & Passes

Entry to Cane River Creole is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.

๐Ÿฅพ Things to Do

Cane River Creole National Historical Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Arts and Culture, Food, Picnicking, Guided Tours, and 2 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

โœ… Arts and Culture
โœ… Food
โœ… Picnicking
โœ… Guided Tours
โœ… Self-Guided Tours - Walking
โœ… Junior Ranger Program

๐Ÿ“ฆ Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Cane River Creole

0 of 7 packed

๐ŸŽ’ Trail Essentials

๐Ÿ›’ Shop
๐Ÿ›’ Shop
๐Ÿ›’ Shop
๐Ÿ›’ Shop

๐Ÿงฅ Apparel & Layers

๐Ÿ›’ Shop
๐Ÿ›’ Shop
๐Ÿ›’ Shop
๐Ÿ’ก Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

๐Ÿ“‹ Visitor Planning Tips for Cane River Creole

  • โ†’Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Cane River Creole before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • โ†’Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 2 active alerts for Cane River Creole. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • โ†’Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Cane River Creole. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
Ad: content-inline-2

The Cane River region is home to a unique culture; the Creoles. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for over 200 years. The park tells their stories and preserves the cultural landscape of Oakland and Magnolia Plantations, two of the most intact Creole cotton plantations in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cane River Creole

The entrance fee for Cane River Creole National Historical Park is Free per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

๐Ÿง—

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer โ€” National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

๐Ÿ”๏ธ 63 Parks Visitedโœ๏ธ 12 Years Writing๐Ÿงญ Wilderness GuideFull Bio โ†’

More Parks Nearby