Ghost Town USA

Ghost Town · Louisiana

Atchafalaya

A ghost town of unknown status in St. Martin Parish County, Louisiana.

By the Ghost Town USA research team · Last reviewed September 2026

Atchafalaya ghost town, Louisiana
Photo: Arthur Belala, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Quick Facts

Status
Unknown Status
Access
Unknown Access
Coordinates
Not recorded

There's a particular quiet you only find where a town used to be. Atchafalaya has it. The Atchafalaya River () is a 137-mile-long (220 km) distributary of the Mississippi River and Red River in south central Louisiana in the United States.

St. Martin Parish County holds 2 documented ghost towns, including Bayou Chene — Atchafalaya keeps them company on the map.

The story of Atchafalaya

Louisiana's ghost towns are river landings, lumber and turpentine camps, and oil-boom towns that deflated.

The Atchafalaya River () is a 137-mile-long (220 km) distributary of the Mississippi River and Red River in south central Louisiana in the United States. It flows south, just west of the Mississippi River, and is the fifth largest river in North America, by discharge. The name Atchafalaya comes from Choctaw for 'long river', from hachcha, 'river', and falaya, 'long'.

What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Atchafalaya is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Getting there

Here's the honest truth: access to Atchafalaya is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Good to know

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.

Atchafalaya FAQs

Where is Atchafalaya located?
Atchafalaya is in St. Martin Parish County, Louisiana. Precise coordinates aren't on record, so research maps and local directions before you go.
What county is Atchafalaya in?
Atchafalaya sits in St. Martin Parish County, Louisiana. See our full guide to ghost towns in St. Martin Parish County for its neighbors.
What is the history of Atchafalaya?
The Atchafalaya River () is a 137-mile-long (220 km) distributary of the Mississippi River and Red River in south central Louisiana in the United States.
What remains at Atchafalaya today?
The on-the-ground condition of Atchafalaya is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Can you visit Atchafalaya?
Here's the honest truth: access to Atchafalaya is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Atchafalaya River”), CC BY-SA.

More Ghost Towns in St. Martin Parish County

See all 2 ghost towns in St. Martin Parish County, Louisiana