Mansfield

Understand

Climate

Mansfield is in northwest Louisiana, an area that sees some of the widest temperature extremes in Louisiana. Summers are typically very hot and humid, with temperatures above 100°F common during this time. Although the humidity is somewhat less than the southern and central areas of Louisiana, take the same precautions for this area that you would in New Orleans or areas to the south. During the summer months, it is always advisable to carry several bottles of water in your car, and to dress appropriately for the hot weather. Winters are cool and moist, but the town is still susceptible to colder temperatures than areas further south. Some years have seen winter temperatures as low as 15°F, so bring plenty of warm clothes during winter months.

Get in

By car

The most practical way to get to Mansfield is by personal car. Several highways pass through the city.

• US Highway 171 passes through town from north to south. Shreveport is to the north, while Many and Lake Charles are to the south.
• US Highway 84 passes through from east to west. Logansport and the Texas state line are to the west, while Coushatta is to the east. If coming from Natchitoches via Interstate 49, take Exit 172 (Mansfield/Coushatta) and drive 9 miles west.
• For travelers coming in from Shreveport via Interstate 49, Louisiana Highway 175 is the fastest route to the city and can be accessed from I-49 at Exit 186 (Frierson/Kingston exit).

By plane

There is a small public airstrip for charter flights or personal aircraft.

The nearest airports with commercial service are:

• Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV), 38 miles north via LA-175 and I-49 North. Airlines serving are Allegiant, American, Delta, and United.
• Alexandria Regional Airport (AEX), 93 miles southeast via US-84 and I-49 South. Airlines serving are American and United.

Get around

By car

Driving is the best way to get between sights in and around Mansfield. Some city streets are not the best maintained (potholes, bumps, etc.), so it is advisable to stay on the main roads between destinations. Polk Street and Washington Street are the two primary streets traversing the town.

On foot

The four city blocks that make up downtown Mansfield are easily traversed by foot and offer a great way to get up close to both the 19th-century log cabin DeSoto Parish Courthouse and the more modern courthouse.

Stay safe

Emergency services

• As in all areas of the United States, dial 911 for any emergency services.
• Law enforcement is provided by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office and the Mansfield Police Department. The Louisiana State Police patrol areas outside of the city limits and often assist on major crimes.
• Fire and Emergency Medical services are provided by the Mansfield Fire Department and DeSoto Parish EMS respectively.

Crime

• Mansfield, while a very beautiful and friendly town overall, has a higher than average crime rate for most towns of its size: less than 5,000 people live here, and the chances of becoming a crime victim are 1 in 89: almost on par with some larger cities. Property crime is by far the most common, with theft and burglary being the top 2 offenses. It is advisable to spend as little time as possible outside after dark, especially in the southern half of the town, unless participating in a group activity.
• The residential part of town bordered by US 84 Business to the west, Gibbs Street to the north, and the city limits to the east and south is especially inadvisable after nightfall.
• During the day time, you should have no issues, but use common sense wherever you go. The aforementioned residential side of the city has beautiful church architecture and an old plantation home, but be alert. If you see someone come up to you and they look sketchy or suspicious in any way, walk or drive away.

Go next

• Logansport (Louisiana) - Fishing on the Sabine River, access to Toledo Bend, last international boundary marker between the United States and the Republic of Texas.
• Natchitoches - Oldest city in Louisiana, historic homes and forts, scenic downtown district on Cane River Lake.
• Piney Woods - East Texas, known for forestry, lakes, old Main Street communities, and camping.

American Civil War enthusiasts

If visiting Mansfield for Civil War history, the logical next steps for southbound travelers would be to visit the monuments at the Pleasant Hill Battle Site southeast of the city on Highway 175. From there, it is a two-mile drive south to the modern town of Pleasant Hill, where you can turn left onto Highway 174 and drive east back to Interstate 49 for southbound transit.

If heading north, Shreveport offers tidbits of Civil War history and exhibits at its Spring Street Historical Museum and the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum.

Outdoors activities

For outdoors enthusiasts, heading west to the Toledo Bend Reservoir on either the Texas or Louisiana side offers a variety of opportunities for boating, camping, and fishing. An hour northeast of Mansfield near the village of Doyline is Lake Bistineau State Park, which offers both cabin, primitive, and RV camping, along with boating and fishing for bass and catfish.