Natchitoches Historic District
Natchitoches, LA
A brick-paved riverfront street lined with iron-lace balconies and shops above Cane River Lake, in one of the oldest towns of the Louisiana Purchase. Walk Front Street and try a local meat pie; the town is lovely at dusk.
Natchitoches was founded in 1714 by the French-Canadian explorer Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as a trading post on the Red River and is considered the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory. The historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974 and a National Historic Landmark since 1984, has more than 200 historic buildings, including houses built in the bousillage style, in which walls are filled with a mixture of mud and moss. Brick-paved Front Street runs along Cane River Lake, an oxbow of the Red River about 35 miles (56 km) long.
Stroll along Front Street on foot and try the Natchitoches meat pie, one of Louisiana's official state foods since 2003. The Christmas Festival of Lights takes place in December, when the town is especially crowded. Two to three hours is enough for a walking tour.
- Nearest town
- Natchitoches, LA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 31.7607, -93.0863
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May, September and December. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Midway RV Park & MarinaMotorhome stopover7 mi from Natchitoches Historic District · 28 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Red Bluff CampCampsite18 mi from Natchitoches Historic District
- Lotus CampCampsite19 mi from Natchitoches Historic District
- Antler point CamsiteCampsite19 mi from Natchitoches Historic District
- Test Site 420Campsite19 mi from Natchitoches Historic District · 15 pitchesFree
- Kisatchie Bayou CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Natchitoches Historic District
All campsites in Louisiana · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Natchitoches Historic District?
Natchitoches Historic District is in Natchitoches, LA, at GPS 31.7607, -93.0863. It is about 66 mi from Shreveport.
Can you camp near Natchitoches Historic District?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Midway RV Park & Marina, about 7 mi away; within 25 mi there are 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Natchitoches Historic District?
Places worth a stop nearby: Caddo Lake State Park (90 mi), Historic Downtown Natchez (100 mi), Emerald Mound (108 mi) and Poverty Point World Heritage Site (115 mi).
When is the best time to visit Natchitoches Historic District?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May, September and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)