This Louisiana Go-Kart Track Lets You Race Around A Real Motorsports Complex

The karting area here covers 40 acres, and it’s recognized as the largest karting track in the United States.

Forty acres. For go-karts. Your neighborhood fun center with its tire walls just started feeling a little small.

The kart circuit sits inside an 880-acre motorsports complex in Louisiana.

That complex includes a 2.75-mile road course built for real racing, plus a giant skid pad for drifting.

While you’re chasing your cousin through a hairpin turn, actual race cars might be roaring nearby.

That’s a pretty good way to make a family outing feel like a big deal.

You Can Pick From More Than 80 Different Track Layouts

NOLA Motorsports Park doesn’t do small. Its outdoor karting facility spans 40 acres, with about 30 acres devoted to the track.

That space holds three separate circuits. Mix and match them, and the park can create more than 80 different track configurations.

Why does that matter to you? It means the track you drive one visit might not be the exact track you drive the next time.

The layout blends tight, tricky turns with long straightaways. You get moments to brake carefully and moments to stomp the pedal and grin.

Seven acres of the karting area are lighted, too. That’s handy on Friday and Saturday evenings, when the facility stays open until 9 PM.

Plenty of kart tracks feel like a quick loop around a parking lot. This one feels more like a real circuit, because it was designed with the same racing mindset as the rest of the complex.

Sunday karting sessions also feature changing track layouts, adding variety for regular drivers.

Real Gas Engines Mean Real Speed, Up To 40 MPH

Forget the quiet hum of electric karts. The rental karts here run on gas, so you hear a real engine buzzing behind you the whole time.

Adult karts can reach speeds up to 40 MPH. That may not sound wild on a highway, but sitting inches off the ground makes it feel much faster.

Junior karts top out at 25 MPH. That gives younger drivers plenty of excitement while keeping their sessions separate from adult racing.

Speed is fun, but smooth driving usually wins. Braking before a turn and accelerating steadily as you exit can make a noticeable difference.

The track gives you room to practice your racing technique while following the passing rules explained before each session.

Each rental karting session lasts approximately ten minutes, giving drivers several opportunities to improve their lap times.

Helmets and neck braces are provided at the park. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting a little windblown.

Long hair should be tied back, too. A kart track is no place for a flapping ponytail. It’s one of those Louisiana activities where ten minutes can feel surprisingly action-packed.

Little Racers And Big Ones Both Get A Turn

Family trips get tricky when one kid is tall enough for everything and another isn’t. The kart lineup here handles that problem pretty well.

Adult karts are for drivers at least 58 inches tall and 13 years or older. Junior karts are available for younger drivers who meet the minimum height requirement of 48 inches and the applicable age requirement.

Smaller kids still get a chance. The two-seat karts let a younger rider share the track with an adult behind the wheel.

There are also accessible karts for drivers who need adapted equipment. Both accessible and two-seat karts are available by request, depending on availability.

Measure your kids before you go. Nothing deflates a road trip faster than a height chart that disagrees with your plans. Junior and adult drivers race separately, either on different sections of the circuit or during alternating sessions.

Regular karting operates on a walk-in basis, although larger groups can arrange private events in advance. Drivers younger than 18 need a parent or guardian to complete the required waiver.

Thursdays also feature karting promotions, while weekends offer plenty of opportunities for family outings.

Let A Pro Show You How It’s Really Done

Ever wonder how much faster an experienced driver could take the same corner? Special events at the park occasionally offer a thrilling way to find out.

During events such as Kart Track Revival, professional drivers have offered Hot Lap ride-alongs around the kart circuit.

These sessions put passengers beside skilled drivers in cars as they demonstrate precise steering, cornering, and vehicle control.

Availability depends on the particular event and participating drivers, making these experiences an extra attraction when they’re scheduled.

A ride-along can be a sneaky lesson. Watch where the driver brakes, where they turn in, and how smoothly they guide the vehicle through the course. Then try applying some of those lessons during your own karting session.

The park also hosts drifting events where spectators can watch drivers navigate tight corners and controlled sideways turns.

Kids who love racing videos may find this especially exciting. It turns the action they’ve watched on screens into something happening right in front of them.

Adults aren’t immune either. Plenty of grown-ups secretly want to know how professional drivers make difficult maneuvers look so easy.

The Grown-Up Track Next Door Is Seriously Impressive

Your kart track has a big sibling, and it’s no joke. NOLA Motorsports Park includes a road course built to FIA Grade 2 specifications, stretching 2.75 miles.

The North Track features 16 turns and a straightaway measuring approximately 5,800 feet.

It’s a substantial setup for professional and amateur motorsports events in Louisiana. The road course accommodates different racing configurations, allowing organizers to adjust the driving experience for particular events.

There’s also a 300,000-square-foot asphalt skid pad. It’s used for drifting and autocross, where drivers navigate courses marked by cones.

Want to drive something fancier than a kart? Special track-day programs allow eligible drivers to experience high-performance vehicles in a controlled setting.

Motorcycle training and racing events happen here, too. The complex hosts amateur and professional competitions, including regional and club events.

Behind the scenes, a wired control tower, timing equipment, and trackside communications support racing operations. Even if you only drive karts, knowing all this is nearby adds a fun buzz.

Mini Golf And Arcade Games Keep The Fun Rolling

Not every minute has to happen at full throttle. Throttle & Swing gives the park a slower, sillier side.

It features an outdoor 18-hole mini-golf course and an indoor arcade. Both share the same operating days as the karting facility, Thursday through Sunday.

That makes it easy to split up a group. Some people race, while others line up putts or chase high scores.

The mini-golf course takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, with different club sizes available for adults and children.

Mini golf also works as a cool-down between kart sessions. Your heart rate drops, your hands get a break, and then you get competitive all over again.

Hungry racers can grab freshly prepared pizza from the on-site kitchen. The menu includes savory options and dessert pizzas.

Outside, a lawn area provides shaded picnic tables, casual seating, and a children’s playground.

Having food and additional activities right there is a big help for families. You can stretch the visit into a full afternoon without hunting for a restaurant.

Planning a date night? Racing karts, then playing a round of putt-putt, makes for an evening with plenty to talk about.

From Swampland To Speed In A Few Short Years

Some places start with a building. This one started with swampland.

NOLA Motorsports Park was the vision of Laney Chouest, a former physician and motorsports enthusiast. Plans were announced in 2009, and construction began on former wetlands near Avondale.

Renowned track architect Alan Wilson designed the complex. The kart circuit and main road course opened in 2011.

Building on marshy ground required extensive preparation. Construction crews stabilized the soil before laying the asphalt that would eventually support the racing circuits.

The original idea was an exclusive, country-club-style track for high-performance driving enthusiasts. Over time, the facility expanded its public offerings with track days, karting sessions, and major motorsports events.

That shift helped turn the Louisiana complex into a destination for families as well as dedicated racing enthusiasts.

In 2015, the park hosted the IndyCar Grand Prix, bringing a major national racing series to the New Orleans area.

Improvements continued in later years, including upgrades to the road course, karting facilities, and event spaces. The addition of Throttle & Swing in 2025 introduced mini golf, arcade entertainment, and more family activities.

Car Shows, Drift Days, And Big Gatherings Fill The Calendar

Something is usually happening here beyond rental karts. The park hosts drifting, autocross, track days, and club racing throughout the year.

A two-floor, 32,000-square-foot event center overlooks the action. It offers trackside views, large reception spaces, and meeting rooms.

That building handles everything from corporate team-building days to large gatherings. Racing birthday party, anyone?

Folks bringing their own vehicles get substantial support. There’s a 19,200-square-foot covered pit area, a paddock, and an on-site speed shop.

Staying overnight for a racing weekend? The park has 44 RV hookups with power and water.

Karting competitions are another part of the calendar, with organized leagues offering drivers opportunities to compete over multiple sessions. Car shows and specialized driving events bring additional activity to the grounds.

Private events and races can sometimes affect public karting availability, so checking the schedule before making the trip is worthwhile.

The venue’s different facilities also allow several types of activities to take place across the property.

You’ll find NOLA Motorsports Park at 11075 Nicolle Blvd, Avondale. It’s roughly 20 minutes from downtown New Orleans, depending on traffic.

Karting, mini golf, and the arcade operate Thursday through Sunday. Hours are 11 AM to 7 PM Thursday and Sunday, and until 9 PM Friday and Saturday.