Simmesport is a rural town at the far eastern edge of Avoyelles Parish. This town is in the River Parishes region of Louisiana, near the confluence of the Mississippi, Atchafalaya, and Red Rivers. The nearby area of Yellow Bayou was the site of the final battle in the American Civil War's Red River Campaign of 1864.

Get in

By car

Two highways enter Simmesport:

• Louisiana Highway 1
• Louisiana Highway 105

See

• 1 Yellow Bayou Battle Park, LA 1 & LA 1183 (2 miles west of Simmesport on Hwy 1). On May 18, 1864, the Union Army was attempting to halt the advance of the Confederates, while covering their own retreat back to the other side of the Atchafalaya River and to New Orleans. Both Armies fought for hours and forced each other to retreat, and the Union managed to get back to the other side of the Atchafalaya and away from further Confederate attacks. Final battle in the Red River Campaign. Roadside park with historical markers, picnic tables, and walking trail. Free. (updated Aug 2018)

Sleep

1 Sportsman Motel Simmesport, 16093 LA 1, ☏ +1 318-941-2222. $55 and up. (updated Aug 2018)

Go next

Routes through Simmesport

Alexandria ← Marksville ←	W  E	→ New Roads → Baton Rouge
END ←	N  S	→ Krotz Springs → END