Atchafalaya National Heritage Area | America's French Foreign Country

The Great Lazy River

The Atchafalaya is Culture, Tourism, Nature
and So Much More!

Explore
Welcome to the Atchafalaya

It’s not a swamp. It’s a whole new country!

Read More Explore
It’s so big - and full!

Birding, Biking, Paddling, Camping, Hunting,
Fishing, Golf and Tree Tagging!

Read More Explore
To infinity, and beyond!

The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Stretches far...
Well into the Gulf of Mexico!

Read More Explore

National Heritage Area

Welcome to the Atchafalaya

In the heart of Louisiana lies a vast natural wonder with a storied past. Welcome to America’s largest freshwater swamp: the Atchafalaya River Basin. From upland forests, to Cypress/Tupelo swamps, to an active land-building river delta, the Atchafalaya has lots to see. How you explore America’s Foreign Country…that’s up to you!

Learn More

Action In the Swamp

Events Calendar

Meetings, festivals, tours through the marsh and much more can be found here...
below are the ones coming up next!

La Fete des Bayous Festival

This annual church festival is held at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St. Amant.

October 29, 2026

44450 LA-429, St Amant, LA 70774

Montegut Community Festival

CRAFT SHOW

November 12, 2026

Recreation Dr Montegut, LA 70377

Shadows on the Teche: Woven Stories

6 PM

Join Sarah Duggan from the Historican New Orleasn Collection's Decorative Arts of the Gulf Coast project as she explores the rch stories woven into the Shadows' textile archive. Drawing on the collection's extensive holdings of 19th-century garments, Sara

November 12, 2026

Shadows Visitor Center (320 E. Main Street, New Ib

View All

Explore Our Website

What’s Inside!

Our website is packed with information to help you schedule school tours, learn about the wetlands, or find out more about the cultures of Louisiana. Below are just some of the great things we invite you to investigate...