Overview
Henderson is a small town of about 1600 residents in the Acadiana region of Louisiana. The town is situated on Interstate 10 at the western edge of the Atchafalaya Basin. It is protected from seasonal flooding by one of the major levees constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is a popular access point to the Atchafalaya Swamp, with campgrounds, boat launches, and swamp tours as well as groceries, gas, and other basic traveler services.
1 sights · 2 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Henderson
Prehistoric Park
Family attractions with lifesize fake dinosaurs, playgrounds, picnic area, etc.
Atchafalaya Landing and Airboat Tours
Boat launch with large parking area to accommodate trailers, swamp tours in large slow boats, or speedy airboats, your choice. Turtle Bar on site.
McGee's Swamp Tours
Boat launch with campground and large parking area to accommodate trailers, swamp tours in large slow boats, or speedy airboats, your choice. Store and gift shop on site. Used by the Boy Scouts as launch site for their "…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Jan. (climate data from nearby Baton Rouge)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LFT Lafayette Regional Airport, Lafayette — 14 mi away. Directions
- BTR Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Baton Rouge — 41 mi away. Directions
- MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans — 94 mi away (major hub). Directions
Interstate 10 to exit 115.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Prehistoric Park, Atchafalaya Landing and Airboat Tours
- Lunch Pats Fishermans Wharf
- Afternoon McGee's Swamp Tours
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Henderson is the last town on the western side of the Atchafalaya Basin if traveling east on Interstate 10. It was a few swamp shacks until the U.S. Highway Administration built I-10 in the 1960s and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the levees.
Get in
Interstate 10 to exit 115.
Get around
Be careful driving in Henderson and keep an eye open for local cops---they are not there for public safety. The town derives almost all of its budget from traffic fines and nobody ever heard of an out-of-towner getting off with "just a warning" from an often imagined traffic offense.
See
Do
Do McGee's Swamp Tours
Boat launch with campground and large parking area to accommodate trailers, swamp tours in large slow boats, or speedy airboats, your choice. Store and gift shop on site. Used by the Boy Scouts as launch site for their "Swamp Base" high adventure treks.
Eat
Eat Pats Fishermans Wharf
Genuine Cajun cooking with a real feel of Acadiana. Live music, big mixed drinks, delicious food, homey dining room indoors, wandering cats outdoors. This is the kind of place you come to Louisiana to experience. Zesty seafood gumbo, tender alligator tails, home made jambalaya.
Sleep
Stay Camp Margaritaville RV Resort
Sprawling RV parking lot with connections, swimming pools, store, laundry.
Nearby
Atchafalaya Basin
Park · 5 listings · 9 mi away
St. Martinville
City / town · 8 listings · 13 mi away
Lafayette
City / town · 40 listings · 15 mi away
Krotz Springs
City / town · 7 listings · 16 mi away
New Iberia
City / town · 8 listings · 21 mi away
Opelousas
City / town · 2 listings · 23 mi away
Church Point
City / town · 2 listings · 26 mi away
Rayne
City / town · 1 listings · 29 mi away
My experience
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