Poverty Point

Poverty Point State Historic Site/Poverty Point National Monument (French: Pointe de Pauvreté; 16 WC 5) is a prehistoric earthwork constructed by the Poverty Point culture, located in present-day northeastern Louisiana. Evidence of the Poverty Point culture extends throughout much of the Southeastern Woodlands of the Southern United States. The culture extended 100 miles (160 km) across the Mississippi Delta and south to the Gulf Coast.

The Poverty Point site has been designated as a state historic site, U.S. National Monument, a U.S. National Historic Landmark, and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The site is 15.5 miles (24.9 km) from the current flow of the Mississippi River, and is situated on the edge of Macon Ridge. The village of Epps developed in the historic period in West Carroll Parish, Louisiana. The Poverty Point site contains earthen ridges and mounds, built by indigenous people between 1700 and 1100 BCE during the Late Archaic period in North America.

Archaeologists have proposed a variety of possible functions for the site, including as a settlement, a trading center, and/or a ceremonial religious complex.

Poverty Point occupies a particular place in the imagination of American public lands. As a Park Unit in Louisiana and Mississippi, it represents a deliberate choice — by the people who advocated for its protection, and by the National Park Service rangers who maintain it — to keep this landscape available to anyone willing to make the trip. That accessibility is the quiet miracle of the park system.

The pages linked below break the visit down into the four practical questions every traveler asks: where can I hike, where can I sleep, what else is worth seeing while I'm in the area, and what should I know before I show up. Each one is written from the perspective of someone planning their first trip — assume nothing, explain what's worth explaining, and skip the marketing language. If you've been here before, treat these guides as a refresher and a way to discover the corners you missed last time.

What this guide covers

Over the next four pages, this field guide breaks Poverty Point into the practical questions every traveler asks: which trails are worth the effort, where to sleep both inside and outside the park boundary, what else is worth a stop in the surrounding region, and the small-but-essential tips that make the difference between a stressful first day and a smooth one. Use the navigation above to jump between sections, or read them in order — they're written to flow.

• Hikes — short loops, half-day trails, and backcountry routes
• Camping — drive-in campgrounds, RV sites, and backcountry permits
• Nearby attractions — gateway towns and adjacent public lands
• Visitor tips — timing, fees, weather, and what to skip

Logistics at a glance

Use this quick reference when you're putting together your itinerary. The figures below are the most-asked questions every visitor needs answered before arrival, summarized in one place.

Designation	Park Unit
States	Louisiana, Mississippi
Entrance fee	Varies — check the official park site below for current rates.
Visitor center hours	Most open daily 8–9am to 4:30–6pm. Reduced winter hours common.
Best months	Plan around the weather notes above.
Camping inside park	See the camping guide for campground details, fees, and reservation windows.
Nearby gateway towns	See nearby attractions for lodging and supply stops.