| Grand Isle State Park | |
|---|---|
 A view of theGulf of Mexico at Grand Isle State Park | |
  Map of Louisiana, United States of America | |
| Location | Jefferson Parish,Louisiana,United States |
| Coordinates | 29°15′31″N89°57′17″W / 29.25861°N 89.95472°W /29.25861; -89.95472[1] |
| Area | 140 acres (0.57 km2; 0.22 sq mi)[2] |
| Established | 1968[3][4] |
| Visitors | 16,835 (in 2022)[5] |
| Governing body | Louisiana Office of State Parks |
| Official website | |
Grand Isle State Park, lies at the eastern tip of Grand Isle, abarrier island inJefferson Parish,Louisiana, U.S.A. Grand Isle is the only inhabited barrier island in the state.[6]
The park has been seriously affected in the past by HurricanesKatrina,Gustav, andIke. However, much of Grand Isle State Park has been renovated.Beach restoration in the area is ongoing.
The area has a long-standing reputation as one of America's best fishing spots with access to over 300 species of fish.[7] At one time, the park'sfishing pier was especially popular, but it was destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina and had to be repaired.[8][9] Anobservation tower provides fine views of the surrounding coastal scenery. Visitors come to 160-acre (0.65 km2) Grand Isle State Park tobeachcomb,birdwatch, boat, camp, crab, fish, and sunbathe.[10][11]
The site is rumored to hold the buried treasure of famed 18th century privateersJean andPierre Lafitte whose operations were based at the neighboringGrand Terre Island across the Barataria Pass.[12][13] The legend of therougarou also is told as part of the area's history.[14]
On May 22, 2010, the beach was closed due to oil contamination from theDeepwater Horizon oil spill.[15] On May 3, 2011, a portion of the beach reopened.[16] On June 26, 2011, volunteers, organized by theCoalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, planted 1,600black mangrove trees along the coast to prevent erosion.[17]
It was named in 2020 toThe New York Times' List of 52 Places to Go which noted that the site "may soon vanish" and faces one of the world’s highest rates of relativesea level rise.[11]
Nestled in the northeastern portion of the only inhabited barrier island in the state, Louisiana purchased the 150-acre park in 1968.[permanent dead link]
The park was purchased in 1968 by the State.