Here's some information to help with your Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week travel plans.

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PLEASE NOTE THAT LOUISIANA FOLK ROOTS DOES NOT MAKE TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR DBCCHW PARTICIPANTS.

Chicot State Park is approximately 50 miles north of Lafayette via I-49 and US 167 N through Ville Platte. The park is 7 miles north of Ville Platte. 

The nearest international airport to Lafayette is New Orleans. New Orleans is about 120 miles east of Lafayette. From New Orleans, you can reach Lafayette via automobile or air. AMTRAK has very limited train service between New Orleans and Lafayette.

Lafayette’s regional airport serves these major airlines: Delta, American Eagle and Continental Express.

Houston, Texas, is the next closest international airport to Lafayette, approximately 250 miles west of Lafayette. It is fairly easy to find a flight to Lafayette from Houston.

There is no taxi, bus or train service between Lafayette and Chicot State Park.

Most DBCCHW participants who travel by air or train choose to rent a car for the week, unless they make arrangements with other participants to share a ride.

Chicot State Park is a large park. The distances between classes/dining area/dormitories (the “Group Camp” area) and the dance area, campsites and deluxe cabins are rather far to walk, especially at night when it is extremely dark in the park. From the park main entrance, it is approximately 1.5 miles to the Group Camp. From the Group Camp to the dance area and waterside cabins is approximately 2 miles. 

For these reasons, most participants find that having a car at their disposal is most convenient. A car is also necessary if participants wish to drive to Ville Platte or leave the park for any reason during the week, or if participants’ plans include remaining in the Lafayette area after the DBCCHW for Festival International de Louisiane or for other activities. See below for some of the many car rental agencies in Lafayette.

Registered participants may decide to stay off-site during the week rather than in the park’s accommodations. The nearest major chain hotel to Chicot is the Ville Platte Best Western, 1919 E. Main Street. 337-360-9961.

After DBCCHW registration opens, LFR provides a means through our Web site for registered participants to communicate with one another. Some participants choose this method to coordinate travel plans with other participants. LFR does not provide a contact list of camp registrants prior to the DBCCHW.

For those participants arriving early or staying beyond the DBCCHW, there are many hotels and motels in Lafayette. Please go to www.lafayettetravel.com for information. There is public transportation within the city of Lafayette.

Some major automobile rental agencies at the Lafayette airport are:  Alamo (888) 826-6893; Avis (337) 234-6944; Budget (337) 233-8888; Enterprise (337) 232-5493; Hertz (337) 233-7010; National (888) 826-6890