Grand Isle State Park

Grand Isle State Park, lies at the eastern end of Grand Isle, a barrier island in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, USA. Grand Isle is the only inhabited barrier island in the state.The park has been seriously affected in the past by Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav, and Ike. However, much of Grand Isle State Park has been renovated. Beach restoration in the area is ongoing. At one time, the park's fishing pier was especially popular, but it was destroyed in 2005 and has yet to be rebuilt. <--date? An observation tower provides fine views of the surrounding coastal scenery. Visitors come to 160acre Grand Isle State Park to beachcomb, birdwatch, boat, camp, crab, fish, and sunbathe.Grand Isle State Park enjoys a long and lively history of supernatural occurrence and was recently named "America's Most Haunted Beach" by Skeptic magazine. Local lore involving pirates Jean and Pierre Lafitte as well as the wider legend of the Rougarou weigh heavily on the subconscious of any who dare to camp on these violent and hallowed grounds.On May 22, 2010, the beach was closed due to oil contamination from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. On May 3, 2011, a portion of the beach reopened. On June 26, 2011, volunteers, organized by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, planted 1,600 black mangrove trees along the coast to prevent erosion.