Overview
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.
1 sights · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Simmesport
Yellow Bayou Battle Park
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 an…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Jan. (climate data from nearby Baton Rouge)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- AEX Alexandria International Airport, Alexandria — 49 mi away. Directions
- BTR Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Baton Rouge — 50 mi away. Directions
- MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans — 115 mi away (major hub). Directions
Two highways enter Simmesport:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
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Map
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Get in
By car
Two highways enter Simmesport:
- Louisiana Highway 1
- Louisiana Highway 105
See
See Yellow Bayou Battle Park
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.
Sleep
Stay Sportsman Motel Simmesport
Nearby
Marksville
City / town · 6 listings · 18 mi away
St. Francisville
City / town · 3 listings · 29 mi away
New Roads
City / town · 5 listings · 30 mi away
Krotz Springs
City / town · 7 listings · 31 mi away
Opelousas
City / town · 2 listings · 35 mi away
Lecompte
City / town · 2 listings · 36 mi away
Woodworth
City / town · 4 listings · 42 mi away
Atchafalaya Basin
Park · 5 listings · 43 mi away
My experience
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