Poverty Point National Monument

Things To Do Near Poverty Point National Monument

RV users can conveniently navigate the Poverty Point National Monument and tour around the 400-acre site. You can obtain map guides from the visitor center and take a relaxing ride along the two-mile vehicle tour of the breathtaking handmade ancient constructions. The monument is close to neighboring attractions, so you can easily take in all the area has to offer. You can better manage your time and itinerary using an RV and appreciate the ancient park while enjoying the opportunity to experience north Louisiana's culture through crafts, music, and food in the surrounding areas. 

Hiking Trails

• Poverty Point World Heritage Site Trail

  The Poverty Point World Heritage Site Trail is a looping pathway that commences from the visitor center with moderate traffic that is suitable for all skill levels. You can take in scenic wildflowers during a summer or spring stroll along this pet-friendly route. The trail also leads you to several historic mounds and earthworks at the site, with fantastic bird-watching opportunities along the way.

  Location

  6859 LA-577, Pioneer, LA 71266

  Length

  2.7 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Forager Hike

  This trail provides a ranger-led walk through a section of the ancient earthworks, focusing on significant native plants. You can learn about the plants via a short introductory film before the hike begins, which puts the actual flora that you will see at the sites into perspective. The plants along the route include edible fruits such as blackberries, muscadine grapes, and pawpaws that you can sample during your trip. 

  Location

  6859 LA-577, Pioneer, LA 71266

  Length

  1.5 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• Natures Hideaway Gardens & Barnmarket

  Natures Hideaway Gardens & Barnmarket features lovely gardens in an impressive vintage setting for a relaxing afternoon or evening stroll. You can view and purchase farmhouse-style and vintage décor for your home and garden. The venue has two markets per year in spring and fall, allowing you to meet vendors who are selling handmade crafts. 

  Location

  5032 Naff Avenue, Bastrop, LA 71220

• Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo

  This zoo has around 400 animals of approximately 200 species, making it a perfect place to tour with kids. You can watch birds and see different wildlife like zebras, baboons, elk, bison, bears, tigers, and lions. The site also has a reptile house, an insect exhibit, and a walkthrough greenhouse, delivering an exciting tour around the landscaped grounds. 

  Location

  1405 Bernstein Park Road, Monroe, LA 71210

Museums

• The Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum 

  This museum welcomes all visitors, including persons with reduced mobility, with its wheelchair-accessible amenities. You can enjoy a hands-on trip around the location via the interactive exhibits that allow children and adults to learn together. The museum has The Baby Bayou, a brain-building space for visitors with kids aged 3 and below.

  Location

  323 Walnut Street, Monroe, LA 71201

• Louisiana State Cotton Museum

  The Louisiana State Cotton Museum displays cotton farming history, taking you back to the early agricultural days in the South to the inception of the mechanical cotton picker. You can visit the tenant house, farmhouse, chapel, commissary, and Louisiana's first electric cotton gin at this venue. The free admission, family-friendly atmosphere, and handicap-accessible vicinity create a comfortable learning environment for all tourists. 

  Location

  7162 Highway 65 N, Lake Providence, LA 71254

• Alexandria Museum of Art

  You can take in different and inspirational artworks at this museum, such as displays that celebrate Louisiana's local and famous female artists. The exhibitions shed light on Louisiana's art development via links between educators and creators. You can also look at contemporary pieces and see their relation to modern Louisiana collections. 

  Location

  933 Second Street, Alexandria, LA 71301

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Trenton Street Antiques

  Trenton Street Antiques provides 4,000 square feet of vintage products, enabling you to find a rare and unique souvenir. You can get assorted pieces like pottery, clocks, glassware, and old tools at the location. This shop also has toys, jewelry, and religious items, offering something for everyone.

  Location

  207 Trenton Street, West Monroe, LA 71291

• Fresh Start Thrift Store 

  You can find various items at affordable rates at the Fresh Start Thrift Store, making it perfect for travelers. The shop also accepts donations of gently used items with all the proceeds going to help those struggling with addiction, allowing you to give away unnecessary items on your journey. You can conveniently access a gas station and coffee shop within the store's neighborhood for added convenience. 

  Location

  6918 Prairie Road, Winnsboro, LA 71295

• Spirits Food & Friends

  Spirits Food & Friends offers a comfortable venue with a welcoming setting, including outdoor seating and wheelchair-friendly facilities. You can eat lunch and dinner, featuring happy-hour dishes, kids' menus, organic options, and vegetarian plates. The takeaway service and curbside pickup operations ensure you can quickly get an on-the-go order for a busy itinerary. 

  Location

  1200 Texas Avenue, Alexandria, LA 71301

• Cindy Kays Kitchen

  This restaurant has an excellent tea selection and a cozy atmosphere, allowing you to relax with companions on your Poverty Point National Monument tour. You can order from the quick-bite menus or get a takeaway meal to cater to a tight schedule. The venue provides various seafood options with meat, salad, vegetable dishes for all age groups. 

  Location

  710 W Main Street, Oak Grove, LA 71263

How To Get To Poverty Point National Monument

To get to the monument from Monroe Regional Airport, drive to I-20 E from Central Avenue, Kansas Lane, and Garrett Road. Continue on I-20 E to Broadway Street in Delhi, and take exit 153 from the highway. Then, get on LA-17 N and LA-134 E to the Poverty Point National Monument in West Carroll Parish. 

You can visit the Poverty Point National Monument in any season, with the office operating daily from sunrise to sunset. However, the park does not run during the New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day holidays. 

Address

6859 Louisiana Highway 577, Pioneer, LA 71266

Fee: Entry fee per person (ages 12-61) $4.0

Children under the age of 12 and adults over the age of 61 receive free admission.

Poverty Point National Monument allows you to travel back in time and see the unique geometric designs formed by the area's inhabitants over 3,000 years ago. In addition, the site has impressive exhibitions showing artifacts and earthworks, including a 2,000-year-old piece. Traveling around the monument in an RV is an excellent way to experience the engineering masterpiece at this World Heritage property.